Moscow Eatery Review: A Mixed Bag

A Mixed Bag at This Moscow Eatery

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently visited a popular Moscow eatery that promised affordable meals, but my experience was a mixed bag. The prices were indeed low, with most dishes costing around 350 rubles, but the booking process was a hassle. I tried to book a table through the Telegram bot, but it only accepted bookings for tables of six or more people. We ended up waiting in line, which was a bit of a challenge. The live queue system was convenient, but it took a while to get in. The food was decent, but not spectacular. I'd say this place is worth checking out, but be prepared for some quirks.

settingsSpecifications

VerdictOrta

HizmetKalite6/10

MenüHizmeti5/10

MutfakKalite7/10

SeslenmeSüreci4/10

Hello everyone!

I'm sure many of you have already heard about this place, or at least seen the Instagram posts about it. They promise all dishes for 350 rubles, and after 5 pm, any dish for 400 rubles. But is that really the case? I visited this place during my trip to Moscow and I want to share my impressions with you.

First thing: getting in line.

We tried to book a table through the Telegram bot, but it only accepts bookings for tables of six or more people. We needed a table for two, and booking through the bot wasn't an option.

Getting in line was a bit of a challenge. You have to scan a QR code and wait in a live queue. If there are a lot of people in front of you, you can take a stroll. We went to the restaurant at Moscow, Vetroshny Pereulok, 13, which is right across from GUM. We got in line and went to GUM to pass the time, as the queue in front of us wasn't too long.

Second thing: studying the menu while waiting.

We checked out the menu on the website while we were waiting, and it turned out that not all dishes are 350 rubles. First, since it was a holiday weekend, prices were 400 rubles, but not for everything. Second, there's a 'Prime' tab on the menu, which features steaks and they're all over 400 rubles.

Third thing: waiting for your turn and taking your seat.

We were down to just a few people and we headed back to the restaurant, dropped off our clothes at the coat check, and when the website page lit up green, we approached the manager who was leading us to our table. She let us know that our table was reserved for 1.5 hours and that we'd be asked to vacate the premises soon. Good thing we'd already decided what we wanted to order.

Ordering and waiting.

We ordered a lot, and we managed to finish most of it, although not all of it – for various reasons. We were hungry because we'd gone for a walk in Moscow that morning and hadn't had time for lunch, so this meal ended up being both our lunch and dinner.

The food was brought out as it was ready, it seemed. We waited the longest for our steaks. The wait wasn't too long.

We ordered steak and salad, and the wait was:

The reality was a bit different:

The salad was tasty, I enjoyed it, but it depends on the meat. I got some tender pieces of meat, while my friend got some slightly tougher bits, which made her salad less enjoyable. You can see the difference in our dishes:

Soup was creamy, but my friend's version was a bit too spicy:

The reality was a bit of a shock:

Let's just say the spice level was a bit too much for me, I couldn't finish it.

My friend had the mushroom soup and she loved it.

The quesadilla, anticipation:

Reality was a bit of a letdown:

This dish was also too spicy, we ordered it for two and neither of us could finish it - it was just too hot.

Steak, anticipation:

Reality was a bit of a mixed bag:

We couldn't get a photo of the steak in its original state because the waiter asked us to check the level of doneness, and for that, we had to cut into it.

We ordered the herb steak, and when we mentioned it to the waiter, she clarified which one we meant - it turned out they have two options for around 400 and 700 rubles. We went with the first one. We asked for medium doneness.

I have to say, the char-grilled steak didn't quite hit the mark for me, but I did manage to finish half of it - it looked just like the picture, and it was appetizing. My friend, on the other hand, seemed to get a slightly different version, with a visible char on top.

What's interesting is that we both got good dishes in our first round, but my friend's second round was a bit of a disaster. Our server seemed to notice that my friend was giving her some weird looks, and she started serving my friend some burnt dishes. I wasn't giving her any attention, so I guess I just got lucky. But the way she handled the situation was totally unprofessional, and it was clear that she was taking it personally. To make matters worse, she served us two different steaks, which was just plain wrong.

We asked for our steaks to be boxed up to take home, but when we got home, we realized that they hadn't actually given us any. We ended up eating dessert anyway, and then paying for our meal.

For dessert, we ordered a pistachio roll, which looked like this:

And this is what we actually got:

The roll was actually really tasty - I'd never had a merengue roll before, but I'm hooked now. My friend loves them, and she said that this one had real merengue in it.

Verdict:

I've gotta say, the dishes we ordered were a hit - the salad and dessert were both winners, but the rest of the meal didn't exactly blow me away. The price for the steak was pretty sweet, but it didn't really impress me. And to be honest, the service was a total letdown. Maybe if I knew what to expect next time I'm in Moscow, I'd give it another shot.

We didn't get kicked out of our table, but we did end up leaving around 1.5 hours in ourselves. I'm giving it 3 stars because of the weird service situation, but I'd still recommend checking it out - the salad and dessert are worth a try, even if you do have to wait in line.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What are the prices like at this Moscow eatery?

Most dishes cost around 350 rubles, with some specials available after 5 pm for 400 rubles.

How do I book a table at this restaurant?

You can try booking through the Telegram bot, but be aware that it only accepts bookings for tables of six or more people. Otherwise, you can try waiting in line or calling ahead to see if there's availability.

What's the atmosphere like at this restaurant?

The atmosphere is lively and fun, especially during peak hours. It's a great spot to grab a meal or meet up with friends.

Is the food good at this restaurant?

The food is decent, if not spectacular. Some dishes are better than others, but overall it's a solid option for a quick meal.

Can I book a table for a small group?

Unfortunately, the restaurant doesn't accept bookings for small groups. You'll need to try waiting in line or calling ahead to see if there's availability.

What's the location like?

The restaurant is located in Moscow, close to Vetroshny Pereulok. It's a convenient spot to grab a meal or meet up with friends.

Do they have any specials or promotions?

Yes, the restaurant offers some specials after 5 pm for 400 rubles. Be sure to check their menu or ask your server for more information.

Can I get a refund or exchange if I'm not satisfied with my meal?

Unfortunately, the restaurant doesn't offer refunds or exchanges. However, they do have a return policy in place. Be sure to ask your server for more information.

check_circlePros

•The prices are super affordable, with most dishes costing around 350 rubles.
•The live queue system is convenient, but it's not always the fastest way to get in.
•The staff is friendly and welcoming.
•The restaurant has a great location in Moscow, close to Vetroshny Pereulok.
•The atmosphere is lively and fun, especially during peak hours.
•The food is decent, if not spectacular.

cancelCons

•The booking process is a hassle, especially if you're a small group.
•The live queue system can be slow, especially during peak hours.
•The food quality is inconsistent, with some dishes being better than others.
•The restaurant can get very crowded, which can make it difficult to find a seat.
•The menu could use some more variety, especially for vegetarians and vegans.
•The restaurant doesn't accept bookings for small groups, which can be a problem.