Xander

«Xander» operates inside the Four Seasons Hotel, in the mansion of Prince Lobanov-Rostovsky on Voznesensky Prospekt, next to Admiralteyskaya metro station. The venue is named after Emperor Alexander II, and the arched windows look straight out onto the Alexander Garden. Inside, instead of a grand imperial hall, the setting resembles a Victorian drawing room: walnut wall paneling, a double-sided fireplace, fruit still lifes and seascapes on the walls, bookshelves, and soft, muted light. The sofas and ottomans are arranged to encourage leisurely conversation over a cocktail. The bar menu features 25 cocktails. About ten of them are built on still and sparkling wine: Crimean Riesling is combined with homemade melon liqueur, strawberry, cherry and mango, while prosecco is paired with blood orange jelly and lemongrass liqueur. Around five more drinks are made with polugar — buckwheat honey is combined with buckwheat milk, kvass wort, pumpkin seeds and pecan, while juniper polugar is served with cheese-infused vermouth, accompanied by a cheese chip and onion marmalade. The menu was created by the hotel's sous chefs Davide Giacomelli and Sergei Shishanov. The average check at «Xander» starts at 6,000 rubles, and the cuisine is European.