It’s nice sometimes to plunge into memories, to grieve about how it was in Soviet times. Sometimes you want a time machine, then you could briefly move to familiar places. Restaurant "Lada" can be called such a time machine. Let's get to know him better.
Institution idea
In a world that is changing extremely rapidly, it is very pleasing when there is something unchanged - tradition. From the 60s to the beginning of the 90s, there was a beer bar on Novy Arbat. At that time, Novy Arbat was called differently - Kalininsky Prospekt. The bar was very famous not only in the capital, but throughout the country. It was here that they were traditionally going to drink beer, it was a cult place for those who like a foamy drink, the establishment is noisy and democratic.
Restaurant "Lada" - an attempt to restore the old tradition in a slightly modified form. Critics write that this institution mercilessly exploits the former glory of the once popular bar.
Features include the spirit of the era, which was conveyed with a sense of humor and light irony, as well as the signature Zhiguli beer, which is brewed and sold here. The atmosphere is supported by live music - hits of the 70-80s (both Soviet and foreign). The institution is designed for a wide range of visitors: there is not only a restaurant, but also a dining room.
Canteen
The fast food room (simply a dining room) is designed for 100 seats. The situation in it is very simple, as it should be in a democratic institution of the Soviet era. Long wooden tables and benches for visitors, a distribution line with dishes, red trays, three-blade fans under the ceiling, no frills.
The situation reliably plunges into the 70-80s, music of that time, which sounds in the background, adds naturalism. The only thing that distinguishes this dining room from those that were in the Soviet Union is the presence of huge televisions, which at that time they could not even dream of. And the menu, of course, is more varied and tasty than it could be then, and beer of higher quality.
The fast food room is open daily from 11:00 to 2:00. Since the Zhiguli beer restaurant strives for the title of a national institution, the prices here are kept affordable for visitors with any level of income, which is especially pleasant for Arbat.
Restaurant Interior
The main hall is designed for 300 people. It is designed in such a way as to transfer guests to the era of the Soviet Union as reliably as possible. There are black and white photographs on the walls, in which you can see L. I. Brezhnev, sofas covered in brown leather, as decor elements - boxing gloves and scales from a nostalgic blue deli, a chandelier as from an old movie, velvet curtains, posters with funny inscriptions. The tables are simple, wooden; a small stage is equipped for guest artists. Beer is served in pot-bellied Soviet circles, drinks are poured into faceted glasses, crayfish are carried out in buckets.
The situation can be called unsophisticated, even to some extent ascetic. This feeling is created by a wooden floor and massive gray columns, a wall lined with square glass elements that were once very popular. The atmosphere is complemented by subdued light.
Only a collection of spirits and huge televisions return to reality, they say that now is still the 21st century.
Restaurant "Zhiguli": menu
It seems that the owners set themselves a large-scale task - to cover all existing kitchens, the menu is so vast and varied here. You can choose dishes of Russian, Japanese, Caucasian, European, Uzbek, Mediterranean, Chinese cuisine. This, of course, could not be in the Soviet beer bar.
For the appetizer, rustic lard and pike caviar, smoked pork ears and gifts of Siberian rivers, vinaigrette with sprat and salad "Health" with fresh vegetables, feta cheese and pea sprouts.
The presentation of dishes is interesting: pea soup is served in a rye tub, and sour cabbage soup - in a cast iron under bread.
There is also a classic assortment of beer snacks: fish in breadcrumbs, squid in batter, hot cheese in pastry, ham sticks and french fries.
From dishes of national cuisines: dolma, Ossetian pies, barbecue, kebab. There is something to relish for fish lovers: Murmansk cod, capelin with grilled vegetables.
For dessert, the Zhiguli restaurant offers a variety of cakes, homemade preserves, ice cream with toppings.
Beverages
The restaurant has a good collection of wines: white, red. Production countries: France, Italy, Spain, Chile. Dominated by France. There are Georgian wines, as well as homemade draft, champagne and sparkling wine. Of the stronger spirits - vermouth, liquors, whiskey, tequila, gin, rum, digestives, absinthe and tinctures, vodka, including grape, cognac and calvados.
The selection of cocktails is also very good both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Among them there is a brand name, which is called “Lada”, in its composition - light beer, vodka, dry champagne, grenadine syrup and orange. There are classic mixes, and there are original ones. Cocktails of the Soviet period are placed in a separate section, but their composition makes one doubt that they have anything to do with those times. For example, the Carousel cocktail includes martini rosso and extra-drive, semi-sweet champagne and cherries.
For those who prefer non-alcoholic, there are freshly squeezed juices, tea, including herbal and fruit, coffee prepared in different ways, and even orientally in the sand.
Beer
"Lada" - a restaurant on the Arbat, which positions itself primarily as a beer. They are proud of their signature drink. It is now manufactured on German equipment, and raw materials are also supplied from Germany. The recipe was worked out in the most thorough way, this not only improved the taste of the drink, but also made it recognizable.
Now there are already nine varieties: light, dark, unfiltered, export, velvet, unfiltered white, original, ale and craft red. All of these varieties are sold in draft form. There is also a bottle of Zhiguli beer, but there is only one variety, and even a can.
However, only branded assortment is not limited. There is fruit beer, Korona and Klaustaler non-alcoholic.
Special offers
Each institution offers its guests something special, the Zhiguli restaurant (Moscow) is no exception in this regard.
What goes best with beer? There’s nothing to think about! Crayfish are best combined with beer! Therefore, the restaurant menu has a special offer that will appeal to all fans of the foamy drink. When ordering a small tub with crayfish (40 medium-sized individuals), a three-liter can of branded beer is relied upon as a gift. And it will be a jar, glass, three-liter, in a string bag.
And if the guests have a good appetite, and they decided on a large tub with crayfish (100 medium-sized individuals), then as a gift you can get two three-liter cans of the signature drink. Great offer for a noisy friendly company gathered for a solemn occasion!
There is one more interesting dish to which a gift relies. These are claws of Kamchatka crab. It relies a liter of Zhiguli beer. A serving of dishes is designed for two. Gift beer only light.
There is also an attractive promotion for restaurant guests. If you come here from Sunday to Thursday from 12 to 17 hours, you can get a 20% discount, which applies to all the menu of the restaurant.
Entertainment
The Zhiguli restaurant, the address of which you will find below, takes care not only to ensure that guests are tasty and satisfying, but also to make them have fun. Therefore, every day on the stage there are wonderful bands performing hits of the 70-80s. You can not only listen to them, you can dance to the groovy rhythms. Particularly popular times are Friday and Saturday evenings, so you need to book a table if you decide to visit the Zhiguli restaurant. Phone number is 691-41-44.
Sports fans can spend time here watching the most interesting broadcasts, for this the institution has large TVs both in the restaurant and in the dining room.
Restaurant "Lada": prices
Speaking about the cost of dishes, you need to understand what it is about: a restaurant or a dining room. And if the price tag in the dining room is democratic (lunch from the first, second and a drink costs about 200 rubles), then the restaurant will not work, so to speak. However, judge for yourself.
The cheapest appetizer is spicy sprats or Baltic sprats. Cost - 320 rubles for a small portion weighing about 80 grams. The most expensive snack is called “The Gift of Siberian Rivers” - omul, muksun, whitefish and cold smoked teal with the addition of pike caviar and lemon. Cost - 1340 rubles per serving weighing 275 grams.
Among salads, the most budgetary option - a vinaigrette with sprats - costs 320 rubles, Kamchatka crab with arugula will cost 1490 rubles, this is the most expensive dish in this section.
Among the hottest dishes, the cheapest is roast beef with vegetables in a pot - 760 rubles per 500 grams. If you choose a baked pork leg, then it will cost 1290 rubles per 250 grams.
The most inexpensive dessert is a cheesecake with cottage cheese (90 rubles). The most non-budgetary is pineapple with strawberries (1590 rubles).
The average check of this institution will be 1,500-2,000 rubles per person.
Reason to stop by
The best option, as visitors themselves note, is to gather here as a male company, sit and have a beer. This option is definitely recommended. Equally unanimous was the conclusion of the guests of this institution with a communist atmosphere that it was definitely not worth inviting a girl here on a first date. There are more categorical opinions that this restaurant is not suitable for coming here with a lady. And this despite the fact that the ladies themselves come here, and even remain satisfied.
It will be interesting here for guests of the capital, such a kind of exotic.
Zhiguli is a restaurant on the Arbat, which can become an interesting venue for a corporate party or other special occasion. But then again, it cannot be said that this establishment is suitable for any holiday. It’s better not to choose it for a wedding, and for a thematic birthday party in a youth company, a very good option, original and memorable.
Where is?
The address of the restaurant is: Novy Arbat, 11, building 1. If you need to clarify any information, call (495) 984-91-57, 984-91-58, 984-91-59. If you need to book a table in a restaurant, and this is highly recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday, you need to call (495) 984-91-56 or 691-41-44. One call will save you from unpleasant surprises. The conditions for banquets and corporate events are discussed in person. The maximum number of invitees is 350 people.
The nearest metro station is Arbatskaya, you can also get to Novy Arbat, 11 on foot from Smolenskaya station. Owners of personal vehicles will appreciate the availability of parking.
Opening hours depend on the day of the week. From Sunday to Thursday, guests are welcome here from 12:00 until two in the morning. On Fridays and Saturdays, the beginning of the working day is similar, and the end is two hours later at 4:00. Live music here sounds daily.
Restaurant Reviews
The Tripadvisor resource, which collects reviews about various institutions, has left about 150 responses about this institution. The average score was four points out of five possible. Despite the fact that the overall rating is not bad, the reviews are extremely controversial.
There are guests who really liked this place: the food, the decor, and the service, it is called decent and safe. They write that it is reckless and fun, atmospheric. But there are complaints about the quality of service, at high prices.
They write that the atmosphere is not for everyone, but to meet friends and have a beer, the place is quite suitable. The location of the restaurant is considered successful, because it is the historical center of Moscow.
Most visitors agree that, be that as it may, the place is definitely a cult.
In general, the recommendation is this: if you want to remember the USSR, then you should go and draw your conclusions.