Kazan — summer 2012

Most of the time I really don't care all that much about what I eat as long as it doesn't include foods I actively dislike and I feel full when I'm done. I don't need fancy restaurants or beautiful decor. But today I was in the mood to go somewhere nice. I have a wonderful piece of software called 2Гис which has detailed city maps and descriptions of the various organizations occupying each city building. And it connects with flamp.ru, which has reviews of restaurants. Thus I found the restaurant called «Приют холостяка», which they mistranslate on their website as “Bash’s Shelter”, which would be better translated as “The Bachelor’s Shelter/Haven/Retreat.” I think ‘retreat’ gets the emotional tone right, although ‘haven’ works as well. ‘Shelter’... not so much.

Anyway, this place has the nicest decor of any Russian restaurant I've been to yet. Prices are quite high, you can count on $30/person. But the music was at a reasonable volume, which I really appreciate. The filet mignon was nearly fall-apart tender. The arugula/pear/pine nut salad was light and perfect for summer.

If you are into decor, do click the link and then look at their interior gallery. I left happy.