For two years we’ve been watching the signboard “Jamie’s Italian” put on the windows of an old building in the center of St. Petersburg (Konushennaya Square 2) and waiting till this signboard would become “activated”. So, now it is! Famous English chef Jamie Oliver and his crew have opened their first restaurant in Russia.
And, it should be pointed out, not in Moscow! Moscow is still getting ready for it.
How it all began
Beginning of the 90s. Kitchen of a London restaurant “London’s Neal Street”. That’s exactly where two bright personalities, the eccentric Italian Gennaro Contaldo and the young chef from Essex Jamie Oliver, met for the first time to unite their culinary skills. They both had loved Italian cuisine since their childhood.
Two years later, after travelling around Italy, Jamie decided that he was actually a genuine Italian and his English appearance was just an ironic twist of fate. So he told Gennaro everything about his knowledge and affection towards Italian cuisine, in particular: fresh home-grown products, simple recipes and traditions of a relaxed feast.
So the guys took a sit and began to ponder over the idea of opening their own restaurant which would reflect their careful and tremulous attitude to food and Italian hospitality.
Jamie and Gennaro
And they did it! 30 restaurants in Great Britain and 7 more in Dubai, Dublin, Sidney and Singapore. June 26th 2013 they opened the restaurant “Jamie’s Italian” in St. Petersburg, it’s their 38th restaurant in the world.
About the place
Back in 1720-1723 this place in St, Petersburg was occupied by horse stables, and then the Court-Stable administration. Not far from Konushennaya (Stable) Square there is a church. During soviet epoch till the beginning of the 2000s there was the final tram stop. In our times restaurants and bars began to appear here: “23:15”, “Soholounge”, clubs “Duhless” and “Circus” and the two-storey restaurant “Barbaresco”.
And in such an old-fashioned building which is the monument of architectural heritage, the restaurant “Jamie’s Italian” was first opened in Russia.
Interior of one of the restaurant’s halls
Inside there are high arched ceilings, “fashionable” brickwork and high mullion windows which provide a lot of light and a magnificent view to the historical center of the city.
England or Russia?
Designers from Martin Brudnizki’s studio (exactly they were responsible for the restaurant range decoration) had a very challenging task: introduce the atmosphere of a family restaurant, which is typical for “Jamie’s Italian” style, into the historical Russian mansion.
How it turned out to be
It turned out to be quite good. St. Petersburg’s “Jamie’s Italian” has three spacious halls with 180 sitting positions, there is a bar counter, a zone for cooking antipasti and an open kitchen.
Bar counter looks… yummy!
By the way, it’s completely a non-smoking restaurant, so you can go there with your children and not worry about their health.
When you’re making an order, the waiter stands on one knee by your table so that you don’t have to raise your head. Perfectly trained staff know the whole menu and even some special offers by heart (the entire crew has been trained under their British colleagues’ strict control).
What about the menu?
For instance, these marinated sardines are served on a crispy bread slice rubbed with garlic, with anchovy paste, parsley, mint, pinenuts, raisins and are covered with a thin layer of onion rings.
In order to make these sardines softer and sweeter, they’re marinated with chili, onions and Moroccan sweet vine syrup during 48 hours.
Bruschetta with Sicilian sardines (210 rub.)
Of course, sardines are not the only thing in the menu. There are also so-called “antipasti”: seasonal vegetables, meat and fish delicacies, salads, bread and bruschettas, fish, pasta, ravioli, risotto, drinks and wine.
Restaurant “Jamie’s Italian” has typical Italian food which is masterfully cooked and served without excessive pathos.
Moscow is waiting.
Tatiana Bronnikoiva
Photos are taken from the official web-site of the establishment
