My girlfriend doesn't like it, when I am writing about my favorite places in Moscow and I give away some tips on where to go shopping or eating. Well, take this one about Moscow's best terrace (in my opinion). She is OK with that, because she doesn't like the place. Probably because of all the beautiful women lounging there. I heard from a reliable source, that even some Bolshoi ballerinas go there between and after their performances, but go see yourself.

Why do you always tell people our best kept secrets?, my angry girlfriend just asked. For a quick second I am shocked. What did I do wrong this time? What did I say? I am searching for the reason, but I just can’t find one. I am thinking of the huge troubles I had, because I posted some family party and dinner photos on this blog a while ago (deleted now). Oh well, probably I am an “ignorant man” once again, but it’s probably better to ask her what she means to avoid future troubles.

It turns out she doesn’t like it, when I am writing about our favorite shopping and going-out places. You know how it is, she says, you’ll write about it and next time I go there, I don’t find anymore nice dresses, shoes or we don’t get a table at our favorite restaurant, because of your writing and your readers. Well, I guess that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Sure, this blog has a lot of visitors a month by now, but I doubt its making a big difference in a city like Moscow with app. 15 million citizens. Fair enough, let’s write about some places that my girlfriend doesn’t like, but I do even more. Nope, I am not talking about strip clubs, such as Safari or Bordo. That would just cause even more troubles.

Summer life at the Coffeemania terrace

Lets take my favorite terrace and café in town: Coffeemania, near the Music Conservatory. This nice café was always a good place to hang out and it was actually one of the first places I visited, when I came to Moscow. Ever since, I use Coffee Mania for little informal business meetings during the day, or to meet friends who visit Moscow. Coffemania is a luxury version of Starbucks, a chain with 8 more cafes throughout the city and Domodedovo airport. This café on Bol. Nikitsky is definitely the flagship of the chain. Its terrace is the favorite hangout of many upper middle class Russians, artists and stars. It’s all about see and be seen for most of them. For me it’s just a very nice and comfortable place to sit, have a chat, some (very good) food or one of their famous cappuccinos. Apparently they won various cappuccino championships worldwide, whatever that means. I think, they are talking about the decoration of the foam, but I am really not sure. Well, the world-champion cappuccino also has its price. With 169 Rubels ($6,50) it is probably one of the most expensive in town and that even beats Starbucks, known for its overprices coffee worldwide. Talking of which, did you know they will soon open the first Starbucks in Moscow?

Their web-site shows the terrace almost in full.

Back to Coffeemania. There is only one problem with my favorite summer terrace. It’s always packed and you have to wait for your table. Don’t leave, though. Just ask them to give you a number and start with a coffee/tea or an aperitif inside the café. They’ll usually call you within the next 15-45 minutes and give you a table outside. Believe me, it’s worth the wait, especially if you come for some people watch. There are all kinds of different groups and characters sitting around the terrace, from the obvious mafia types, to businessmen and stars, to girls who like to meet either one of them. Besides this entertainment, try their excellent food. Maybe one of the salads, the Grand Ravioli (hm, they are so yummie), or my favorite dish: Corleone (Veal filet medallions with pasta and a brown sauce with capers). Don’t forget about their pastry, besides of their different lattes, this is what they are famous for.

Address:

Coffeemania

Bolshaya Nikitskaya st., 13

Moscow Conservatory Building

metro Arbatskaya, Okohtny Ryad, Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya

24 hours

tel. +7 (495) 775-4310

http://www.coffeemania.ru/eng

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