Kremlin at Night
I went to Vernissage, which is an open-air souvenir market. It is part of the cultural complex known as the Kremlin of Izmailovo, which also houses the Vodka Museum. Some people may find this place overtly touristy, but I personally think it is a fun place to buy souvenir. Vernissage is located adjacent to the East Asian market, which is mostly run by Chinese and Vietnamese traders. This is why you would see many East Asian faces around this area.
After doing some shopping at Vernissage, I went to gigantic Izmailovsky Park, which is like a vast forest reserve. The most interesting part of this park is probably the Serebryano-Vinogradny Pond. Gorodok imeni Baumana, which is located on an island in the pond, is what remains of an old family estate that used to stand there.
Pokhorovosky Cathedral
Peter the Great spent a part of his childhood on this very spot, which explains why there is a statue of him in the complex. Even though it seems the estate buildings are now used for government purposes, there are a few buildings that have been preserved, including Pokhorovosky Cathedral. There is nothing special about Izmailovsky Park apart from the old estate, but it is a good place to experience how the locals enjoy their free time. I had a dinner at an outdoor cafe in the park. It cost 200 roubles, a little less than US$10. It was not the cheapest or most delicious food I had in Moscow, but I really enjoyed it because of the "local" atmosphere. The outdoor cafes are located around a man-made pond called "Krugly Prud." This pond is currently under construction (as of June, 2007).
Next, I got off at the Metro station "Tretyakovskaya," where the State Tretyakov Gallery is located. The area is a popular commercial area. When I went there, it was packed (this was Friday evening, after all).
At night, I went to the Red Square with some people from the hostel. Saint Basil's Cathedral, together with the rest of the Red Square, was beautifully lit. The view from the Bloshoy Moskvoretsky bridge is spectacular!
As written on my journal entry, outdoor eateries in Izmailovsky Park offer mediocre and sometimes over-priced food. But it is a perfect opportunity to observe the local lifestyle. People tend to be friendlier because travellers rarely frequent this type of establishment.
As a rule, beer is always cheap in such palces.
Food
Nowadays, Moscow boasts an impressive number of cafes scattered around the city. There are cafes of all ranges, from budget to splurge. Kofeshenk belongs to the upper middle tier. It may not be the best cafe in the city. But it is reasonably priced and a pleasant place with good service. Although in the similar price range, the coffee-shop chains (or "kafeinya" as the locals call it) like Shokoladnitsa and Kofe-Khauz are no competitors to Kofeshenk in terms of service. The interior of the cafe feels like a typical British pub, with dark-brown wood panels and a classy feel.
As with most cafes in Russia, Kofeshenk is more of a bistro because of the range of food they serve. With a tiny bar counter, Kafeshenk is an all-purpose cafe that offers something for everyone, anytime.
Caffe Americano and Tiramisu`
