Hey there!
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My family and I recently visited the Dolphin Planet oceanarium in Yaroslavl, which is part of a spa complex and hotel building where you can rent a room.
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I'd written about this interesting, but somewhat mixed, place before. My review's currently the only one in the thread, so if anyone's interested in learning more about staying or the spa, you can check out my previous post.
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On this visit, the program was a bit different. We came with our kid to watch the oceanarium team's show and grab some lunch, since it took a decent amount of time to get there and watch the program.
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Given the project's scope, there's more than one eatery inside. There's a cafe with a view of the spa area, an old restaurant where breakfast is served buffet-style, a small area with a view of the oceanarium where you can eat and drink with a view of the marine animals, and, of course, the new 'More More' restaurant, which is where we headed.
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The restaurant is located inside the same building as the oceanarium, on the second floor.
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I wasn't there for the first time, and I'm glad I'd prepared a photo report for social media, so I knew exactly what we'd eaten with my friend the last time – a delicious borscht, followed by some other hot dishes. I was hoping to repeat that order on this visit, but unfortunately...
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One of the first things that caught my eye as I walked in was this small area with a neon sign – you'd definitely notice it from a distance. I'm not sure if you could sit down and have a full meal there, but grabbing a coffee and dessert would be totally doable.
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The interior is seriously upscale. You've got crystal chandeliers, interior plant panels, leather sofas, solid wood, and plush upholstery. It's the kind of vibe that makes you feel like you're somewhere special.
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I was also a fan of the dim lighting, which created a cozy atmosphere especially with the floor-to-ceiling windows and the snow outside.
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Fortunately, all the tables were available except for maybe one, so my worries about the place filling up after the show were unfounded.
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The view from the window isn't exactly romantic – there's a residential area and some industrial buildings nearby. Keep in mind that this whole complex is located in a residential area, with old apartment buildings, shawarma places, and garages just a stone's throw away. While it doesn't affect the overall impression, I did wish I could sit in the middle of the restaurant instead of near the window.
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When we visited, the entire staff was clustered around the bar, so I was able to grab the attention of the drink manager right away. The waitresses were super efficient and took the time to clarify every detail of our order before rushing off to put it in. Overall, the service was top-notch, although it's hard to say how it would hold up with a full house. We had to wait only a few minutes for our food, which was a pleasant surprise.
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Of course, no trip would be complete without a souvenir for the little ones. And at this price point, it's hard to resist picking up a few trinkets. I mean, who wouldn't want to take home a 40,000-ruble bronze turtle from the local gift shop? It's a small price to pay, and it's definitely a unique memento.
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One of the best things about this place is the cleanliness of the facilities. The restroom is literally just around the corner from the main dining area, and it's spotless. The smell is fresh and clean, and there are individual hand towels for each user. It's a small touch, but it makes a big difference.
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As for the food, I have to admit that I didn't get a good shot of my son's and husband's dishes, but the verdict was 50/50. Some of the dishes were hits, while others fell a bit flat.
My husband wasn't that hungry, so he just ordered one hot dish after asking the waitress for a recommendation. She suggested the seafood pasta, given the restaurant's seafood focus (I didn't notice it from the menu). I couldn't say he was blown away, but he didn't have any negative comments either. The portion was a bit small, and the mussels were inside their shells in the pasta. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of having seafood in pasta served in their shells, it's the same with shrimp...
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For the kid, we ordered burgers and mashed potatoes from the kids' menu. The food looked great, smelled good too. It came with a couple of fresh cucumber slices on the side. Everything was eaten except for a couple of spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. The burgers were a hit. Honestly, the kids' menu made a positive impression on me. The prices are reasonable, and there are plenty of options to choose from. The kids definitely won't leave hungry!
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I, on the other hand, took my time choosing dishes, and I still made an impulsive decision because nothing really caught my eye.
While we were waiting for the show, I glanced at their menu and spotted the orzo with braised cheek – that's what I wanted to order, but unfortunately, it wasn't on the More More menu.
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So, I ended up going with the eggplant salad
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And penne with tomato sauce and roast beef
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I have to say, the eggplant salad wasn't really my thing. I often get eggplant salad, and it's usually served warm, but this one was cooler than I'm used to. The kimchi sauce wasn't my favorite either, although it worked well in terms of flavor. I'd give the salad a solid 3 with a plus sign or a 4 with two minus signs.
I've gotta say, the pasta was actually pretty tasty, but you've got to consider it's a bit on the spicy side. Not everyone's a fan of heat, and some people just can't handle it. When you combine it with the tomato sauce, it's a bit overwhelming. The ribeye, on the other hand, was top-notch. It's a great, solid piece of meat without any of those unpleasant surprises.
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On top of the desserts you'd find in the main menu, they've also got a special pastry menu from a private workshop. I didn't notice it at first, but it's actually pretty hard to miss when you walk in. They've got a display case with all sorts of colorful soft toys on it – it's definitely worth checking out!
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My husband and son each got an éclair – one vanilla and one raspberry. Each one was around 250 rubles, which is pretty reasonable. Now, here's the weird part: the vanilla éclair was dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while, while the raspberry éclair was super fresh and just melted in your mouth. I got to try a bit of each, and I have to say, I was impressed.
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Speaking of which, I've got to give a shout-out to the coffee! We ended up drinking four cups between the two of us because we're used to drinking big cups, but the ones here are smaller. Each one was around 300-350 rubles, so it's like buying a whole packet of freshly ground beans – I guess you could say it's a good value for money. With each cup, they bring out a little cookie that the kid just devoured – it's tasty! The presentation is great too. They bring each drink out on a separate wooden platter with sugar and a little treat on the side.
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I'd say the venue is pleasant overall, but I wouldn't go out of my way just for the food. If you're visiting the aquarium, spa, or staying in the capsule hotel, this place is a great option. I'd probably revamp the menu, maybe add some new dishes or replace the less popular ones with more familiar options. The eggplant in the salad should be a bit warmer, and there are tons of recipes you could do with seafood – even just mussels in a sauce would be a hit.
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As a local, I'll definitely be back for coffee, but whether I'll stick around for lunch or dinner will depend on the vibe and the menu!