Claudia

Claudia is a project by Glen Ballis located in the Prime Park residential complex on Leningradsky Prospekt, offering a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine.

Claudia is inspired by the image of one of the most beautiful women in film history, Claudia Cardinale. The actress has roots in several cultures: she was born into an Italian family in Tunisia, traveled to different continents, and learned about the traditions of many cultures. Her beauty – natural and understated – and her zest for life, which seemed to energize those around her, are the essence of Claudia's philosophy: accessible and comfortable cuisine from Glen Ballis, opening up new horizons of Mediterranean culture, a bar inspired by traditional recipes, a bright and spacious interior, elegantly complemented by handcrafted details. It's a place where dreams feel possible.

The trendy gastronomy scene expands its horizons. Claudia is located in the Prime Park residential complex on Leningradsky Prospekt, and Glen Ballis's culinary concept brings together all regions of the Mediterranean, from Italy and Israel to Tunisia and Algeria. Alexander Efremov ("Narkomfin Collective") is the head chef, specializing in both Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, creating desirable daily combinations. The menu is divided into sections, with equal attention paid to seafood, meat, and vegetables. Mezze, appetizers, and salads are prepared according to traditional recipes. Try the ricotta hummus with roasted cherry tomatoes (460 rubles), the babaganoush prepared in a wood-fired oven (460 rubles), the Sicilian arancini with crab (860 rubles) or lamb (760 rubles), or the Tuscan panzanella with vegetables and bread baked in a wood-fired oven with garlic oil (890 rubles). The chef offers seafood in both raw and cooked formats, sometimes combining land and sea. For example, there's grilled sea bass with braised fennel and chickpeas (1390 rubles) and octopus with potatoes and tomato salsa (2190 rubles). From the "land" options, there's chicken with mashed potatoes, spinach, and demi-glace (1260 rubles), duck leg with couscous and pomegranate (1260 rubles), and more. A separate section is dedicated to pasta and risotto. The menu includes calamari with burrata and pesto (1390 rubles), tagliatelle with braised lamb (1690 rubles), cacio e pepe with Kampot pepper (990 rubles), and risotto with shrimp and zucchini cream baked with mint and milk (1190 rubles). And of course, there's classic Neapolitan pizza: Margherita with farm-fresh mozzarella (690 rubles), quattro formaggi (1090 rubles), and pepperoni (890 rubles). For those who prefer vegetables, the Mediterranean menu offers equally interesting options, such as tabouleh with roasted vegetables (790 rubles), risotto with wild mushrooms (1390 rubles), and roasted Ramiro pepper with feta (690 rubles).

Denis Kogan ("Michel," Uilliam's, brand barista at "Azbuka Vkusa") curated the bar menu, with food-pairing drinks designed to complement the culinary experience. Each drink highlights the distinctive characteristics of the Mediterranean regions, offering a different perspective: for example, wines from the southern regions and stronger spirits, traditional liqueurs like fig Boukha (550 rubles), Turkish tea (550 rubles), or Spanish banana liqueur (550 rubles), all made exclusively for the restaurant. The cocktail list features 15 classic cocktails (Negroni, Americano, Sangria, etc.) and original creations with a Mediterranean flair, such as a twist on the popular Southern Italian drink "Hugo Blue" (900 rubles); "Venetian Spritz" (900 rubles), a classic cocktail from Venice with a rich herbal flavor; "Pink Ramos Gin Fizz" (950 rubles), an interpretation of one of the oldest and most iconic cocktails, first created in New Orleans in 1888; "Dragon's Passion" (950 rubles), made with homemade dragon fruit and passion fruit puree, vodka, and egg white; and "Red Basil Smash" (800 rubles), an original cocktail from 1862, based on vodka, lime and lemon juice, red basil, and Chinese granulated pepper. The list will be regularly updated according to the season and Denis's creativity.

The guide to the main drinks of the Mediterranean continues with the tea and coffee menu. Among the local teas and herbal blends are a signature Turkish tea with notes of papaya, pineapple, and apple (700 rubles) and a pine-based blend with cedar nuts, rowan berries, and pine needles (700 rubles). The national coffee trends include Algerian "Mazagran" (550 rubles), a cold beverage considered the "grandfather" of European cold drinks; the intense Caffè Marocchino (500 rubles) with Guinea pepper and cloves, and other specialties from Morocco, Malta, and Turkey.

Claudia embodies the Mediterranean lifestyle, with its atmosphere of lightness and creativity. This is reflected in the space designed by Kristina Speranskaya-Stanchuk (Choice Healthy Social club, Twins Garden, La Marée Phuket, JOYA). The two-story interior features a mezzanine level, creating a sense of separation between the "earth" and the "sea." The walls, finished with a textured white clay technique called "mazanka," the large 8-meter windows, the color palette ranging from sand to terracotta, and a sculptural chandelier resembling either coral or unknown sea creatures all contribute to the relaxed seaside atmosphere. Ethnic motifs are incorporated in a modern way: recognizable patterns in the textiles, an abundance of greenery, and a massive dark blue door with a pattern of metal rivets, a traditional symbol of the Mediterranean coast. Claudia herself smiles at the guests from one of the shelves of a wooden bookcase: there's a porcelain plate with a portrait of Cardinale – another hidden message. In Europe of centuries past, lovers didn't always give rings immediately; instead, the beloved was presented with a plate with her profile, a symbol of fidelity and new family traditions. Ultimately, romance is key to understanding the concept. During the warmer months, the restaurant will feature a cozy veranda with 30 seats, and breakfast menus will be introduced soon.

The multifaceted nature of Mediterranean cuisine, the beauty in all its forms, the freshness of the ingredients, and the relaxed atmosphere make Claudia a delightful experience, captivating with its sincerity, the charm of timeless classics, and the freedom of artistic expression – contemplative, inspiring, and with an endless desire to travel. It's a place you'll want to visit again and again, to gather with loved ones, to love, and to dream, immersing yourself in the enchantment of everyday life.