Babu

A bar, tea room, café, and terrace with a view (and parties) – several formats under one sign, all designed around the flavors and characteristics of Indochina.

"Babu" is a South Asian prefix used to address someone with respect, love, and affection. This establishment welcomes guests as family. The atmosphere is filled with a sense of tranquility and fragrance. Even before entering, you'll notice canvases with Sanskrit inscriptions and garlands of Nepalese flags. To the right is a truly shamanic tea room with miniature cups, clay teapots, and a curated selection of teas from tea master Pavel Lapshin. Often, "Auntie" Feng is present, her name meaning "air."

Let's explore the menu. The bar menu features original and provocative creations by Andrey Zakharov (Delicatessen, Saxon+Parole, Pinch, "Kolokol"). Expect Indian twists on classic cocktails, such as "Sex on the Beach," "Blue Lagoon," or "Green Fairy." In addition to the names (of course, in Sanskrit), the flavors will be completely unique. The base ingredients include infusions of pandan, galangal, and various Asian endemic plants, spices, and minimalist presentations.

The kitchen was developed with the help of Sergey Pilenkov (Crisper) and Daram Singh ("Hajurao," "Taj Mahal," "Masala House," and the launch of "Ostorozhno, slon"). The result is a blend of traditional Indochinese cuisine and modern gastronomy. Spices are always toasted, and the entire ingredient is used (for example, with cilantro, both the leaves and stems are used). Each sauce is made from scratch, with no pre-made ingredients. The menu includes 4 types of curry, from fish to vegetables (from 680 rubles), several variations of paneer (690 rubles), traditional salads such as beetroot-yogurt raita (450 rubles) or kachumber (480 rubles) made with various tomatoes and vegetables, daal soup (400 rubles), butter chicken (720 rubles), and snacks inspired by Indian street food. Freshly baked roti comes straight from the oven, and the desserts (from 420 rubles) include fried milk and fruit, banana pudding, and pancakes with pistachio ice cream.

Throughout Babu, there's a celebration of life: the tea boards feature the Ashtamangala, or the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism and Hinduism, and mantras are inscribed on canvases and wooden tables, representing the foundations of happiness by artist Sergey Saveliev. Laughter, love, strength, and wealth are encoded within. You can hear the chimes ringing on the roof. The music playing is something that induces a light trance. Upstairs is a circular bar where trays of food are immediately served, reminiscent of typical eateries near the Himalayas. The space features vintage furniture, black and white photos from old books about India, and sofas with decorative cushions. The walls are adorned with graphics depicting scenes from Hinduism and hand-drawn mandalas. Through an open door is a spacious veranda with 80 seats, offering a view of yachts and the tranquil Moscow River. The floor is covered with colorful carpets, creating a dance floor atmosphere reminiscent of Tulum. The music is curated by Ernest Yakovlev. The "guest" program includes guest artists and their diverse collections, ranging from soft techno to vinyl.