A Hidden Gem in Krasnoyarsk, but the Food Falls Short of Expectations

We spent a week in Krasnoyarsk, and I was excited to try out the city's well-known restaurants and bars. I'd been to some of these places before, but it's been a few years since my last visit.

I'm not one to write reviews, but I like to share my thoughts on places that really impress me or let me down. In this case, my experience at Genatsvale was a bit of a mixed bag.

This review is based on my visit in August 2022, so I'm hoping it's still somewhat relevant.

So, Genatsvale - a Georgian restaurant with a twist. It's located in a historic building, the Trading House 'Revilion Brothers' designed by architect V.A. Sokolsky in 1915-1916. From the outside, the building looks pretty standard for its era.

But the real magic happens when you head downstairs. It's a wall, but not just any wall - it's a stunning brickwork feature that's definitely worth a closer look. These unique arch ceilings made of stone masonry are a real showstopper.

The massive cellars/wine cellars, which have been renovated to accommodate guests, are a great feature of this place. The atmosphere is super cozy and inviting. The spacious room, plush couches, and all make for a really comfortable experience.

However, the food, in my opinion, doesn't quite live up to the ambiance of the place. I ordered four dishes, and two of them were ridiculously over-salted. The Chikhirtma soup was especially bad, to the point where I sent it back to the kitchen to be diluted with water.

One of the dishes that didn't quite hit the mark was the Shilaplavli 'Gena'tsvali', which is a lamb and rice porridge dish. The rice porridge has a risotto-like consistency, topped with cheese, but it was way too salty.

Another issue I had was the portion size of the soup I was served. It was laughable, and I asked the waitress to top it off with some water.

I also tried the Olivier salad, which is a super unusual dish. Honestly, I have no idea what the Olivier recipe from 1860 was supposed to be like, but this version came with quail and red caviar.

We also ordered two signature beers from the restaurant and a cranberry juice. The bill for two came out to 2945 rubles.

Overall, I was really impressed with the historic atmosphere and cozy vibe of Genatsvale. The waitresses were friendly, helpful, and efficient, and the tables weren't packed in tightly, so I could sit in peace and quiet.

However, the food was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend Genatsvale for its culinary offerings. I'd give it 3 stars, but my recommendation is relative.

Pros: historic atmosphere, cozy vibe, friendly waitresses, spacious room, plush couches.

Cons: over-salted dishes, laughable portion size, disappointing culinary offerings.

More reviews about Krasnoyarsk can be found on my blog.

1683 steps up, Karl! And that's not the final stop. Higher than mountains can only be mountains!

Island in the city center on the Yenisei River, where 4,500 susliks live! I'll tell you where to find susliks.

Transformation. Dash Nambakov. - A world-famous Buryat sculptor.

The Literary Museum named after V. P. Astafyev - About all writers who visited (=wrote about) Krasnoyarsk (=Siberia) from Jules Verne, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe to Chekhov and Mikhail Uspensky.

I travel a lot. Come visit me here and also here.

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