Charlie

Charlie, an elegant restaurant with a focus on creative cuisine, hedonism, and sophisticated breakfasts with sparkling wine, sets the mood along the Griboyedov Canal embankment.

Charlie is the kind of place where the "golden youth" of the Gatsby era would spend hours. Here, "delicious" and "beautiful" are not mutually exclusive; attention is paid to detail, unconventional dishes are served on tableware specifically designed for Charlie, beauty is valued, and stereotypes are disregarded – sparkling wine is served at breakfast, classic recipes are reinterpreted with elegance and a touch of genius, and the most striking feature is the remarkably affordable average bill. Charlie is located on the site of the former "Muzgarazh" rehearsal space and, against the backdrop of minimalist underground culture, embodies nonconformism with its bright, spacious Art Deco interior and panoramic windows. The design was created by Anastasia Khalchitskaya (KROO Café, "Repa," "Fruktovaya Lavka," "Tsvetochniy Domik," "Begemot is back"). The strict geometry, accentuated by brass accents, a champagne cooler in the center of the room, pop-art stained glass with a "floral" pattern, pink panels with flamingos, and mirrored fans all evoke a festive atmosphere. From the embankment, you can observe the open kitchen – large windows offer a glimpse into a silent film scene: chefs in black coats are passionately preparing dishes, while the smiles of the guests and the clinking of glasses create a lively ambiance. The brand chef and owner of the cafe is Yuri Manchuk ("Pryanosti i Radosti," Volga-Volga, Sunday Ginza, Skorovesna). Yuri emphasized the democratic concept and developed a menu with an average bill of 1200 rubles. The menu, with a touch of irony, is divided into sections: Seasonal, Appetizers, Wine Pairings, Soups, Main Courses, and Happy End. Class stereotypes are deliberately ignored at Charlie – international fast food favorites, domestic classics, elegant European cuisine, and vibrant Asian dishes all coexist harmoniously. Charlie is created with a love for travel. The relaxed, yet somewhat formal, atmosphere of a New York hotel lobby blends seamlessly with the breakfast menu, which is available all day. Guests are offered a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for breakfast, and for dessert, there are the famous syrniki (cheese pancakes) weighing 1 kg – perfect for sharing. The wine list at Charlie features rare and interesting selections from small wineries, along with an impressive collection of sparkling wines, ranging from brut to semi-dry, which is somewhat unusual for St. Petersburg. Irina Manchuk, the sommelier at Charlie, pays special attention to the "raw" movement: biodynamic and natural wines from independent producers, as well as products from small wineries. The selection principle is strictly enogastronomic: the sommelier offers several wine options to complement each dish.