Restaurant “Razguliay”
“Razguliay” is the legendary Moscow restaurant located in the center of the city in Old German Quarter near Yelokhovo Cathedral in the old-fashioned mansion built for the count Alexey Ivanovich Musin-Pushkin. The square near which the restaurant is situated got the name “Razguliay” in the 17thcentury thanks to the numerous pubs presented here then. This place was a royal road which was used by the Empress Anna Ioanovna to go to Pubtsovo-Pokrovskoe, Izmailovo and Lefortovo estates.
At that time different noblemen and rich merchants started settling here, they built many luxurious palaces and stone houses. A lot of important events and names are connected with this square. For instance, Alexander Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was baptized in the church of Yelokhovo Cathedral. The old-fashioned building located next to the church, which is still there, is connected with Anna Mons, the lover of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great. There also was a sun-clock used as the main time indicator for the urban watchmakers. That time was also connected with first shops, pubs and the famous royal “kruzhalo” – the tavern where successful merchants used to go to share the latest news.
Nowadays the modern restaurant “Razguliay” located in the place of the former trade road within the redecorated walls of the old mansion, where there used to be a monastery, carefully preserves Moscow restaurant traditions. Thanks to its rich historical past “Razguliay” managed to keep its incomparable spirit and recreate the atmosphere of merchant Moskovia of the 17th century. The interior of the halls represents traditional Russian crafts – khokhloma, gzel, birchbark. However, Russian traditions are represented not only in the interior but in the menu too. Okroshka and borsch soups with dumplings, original “Razguliay” meat and “Monastery-style” sturgeon, delicious meat pies and pancakes with various fillings, roast sucking pig and lamb leg – these are classical treats of a bright Russian feast. And it can’t do without traditional Russian drinks. Besides old good Russian vodka “Spotykach” produced since Ivan the Terrible times, there are also kvas, mead, hot tea with honey and spices prepared according to the old recipe known only in “Razguliay”. And every evening live gipsy music attracts lots of admirers of delicious food and bright dancing. One can dance here not only at the gipsy music though, there are also hearty performances of a Russian folk band. Everything here is done in Russian style, with Russian spirit, with Russian hospitality. Your soul will be on the loose here!
