DUDUKUSH

A rooftop restaurant serving cuisine from the North Caucasus.

"DUDUKUSH" is a landmark gastronomic project in the North Caucasus Federal District, where traditions and folk tales come to life. Once, in the heart of Kabardino-Balkaria, in the historic center of the city of Nalchik, there was a printing house named after the Revolution of 1905 – a keeper of time. Its walls were silent, but the wind whispered through its cracks, carrying ancient tales of a wise bird named Dudukush. According to Adyghe legends, this bird soared high in the sky, protecting the forests and mountains, watching over the world, and maintaining the balance between the earthly and the eternal. One day, the whisper of the wind was heard by Karina Lampazheva and Albek Shereuzhev – they decided not just to restore the building, but to breathe new life into it. Thus began the story of the project to restore the building and the "DUDUKUSH" restaurant. In its new incarnation, the former Republican Printing House named after the Revolution of 1905 will be a modern hotel complex with a rooftop restaurant called "DUDUKUSH." The project harmoniously fits into the overall architectural landscape of Lenin Avenue in Nalchik, combining a secular European style with the traditional flavor of the region. The new hotel complex and the "DUDUKUSH" restaurant will become one of the calling cards of the city of Nalchik, a welcoming home for residents and guests of the republic. The symbol of the restaurant is the bird Dudukush. It was her grace that inspired the team to create a unique interior, her wings inspired the silhouettes of the uniforms, and her flight inspired the very idea of being in the sky, not on the ground. The restaurant is located on the sixth floor of a luxurious hotel. The hotel building is located in the very center of the city, and from its roof there is a magnificent view of the Lesistyy Ridge, Nalchik, roofs, streets and gardens. "DUDUKUSH" is inspired by the history of the region, its cultural heritage, Adyghe folklore, legends and fairy tales, as well as the history of the Karina Lampazheva family, recipes passed down from generation to generation, home warmth and hospitality. Every detail of the project tells a story about the rich cultural traditions of the region, immersing the tourist in a deep national and gastronomic experience. In "DUDUKUSH," national products are elegantly combined with modern technologies with love and respect for traditions. The interior of the "DUDUKUSH" restaurant is made in natural, earthy tones – warm wood textures, natural stone, soft fabrics, and national accents. The entire space is inspired by the culture and landscapes of the region: the silence of the mountains, traditional materials, and craftsmanship. Each room is like a chapter of one legend, written through light, taste, and texture. The restaurant consists of five unique zones:

* **Grill Room:** This is a theater of fire. The room with an Argentine grill and an open kitchen, surrounded by ovens, immerses guests in a gastronomic world, developed in collaboration with chefs Alexey Volkov and Roman Zernov. The sound of the fire and the skill of the chefs working in front of you create a dynamic atmosphere where the art of cooking unfolds before the guests' eyes. * **Wine Room:** A space filled with authentic Caucasian elements. The central element is a large table designed to bring guests together and create an atmosphere of lively communication, friendship, and hospitality. Wine cabinets along the walls add to the room's sophistication and bring a sense of true Caucasian generosity. The atmosphere of the room creates ideal conditions for long, friendly conversations, celebrations, and leisurely relaxation with loved ones. * **Bar Area:** The heart of the evening, where legends are born. The bar menu is created by bar manager Sergei Zaletov. Each drink here is a story, encoded in color, texture, and aftertaste. Some cocktails evoke the cold dawns over Elbrus, while others evoke the nocturnal lights of sacred holidays. In this place, it is easy to lose track of time: reality seems to dissolve in the glassy reflections, and in its place comes a world where the ancient spirits of the Caucasus whisper. * **Gastronomic Living Room:** A hidden space, like a precious box, open only to those seeking special moments – private dinners, themed evenings, business events, or important celebrations. Here, gastronomic stories unfold, created from local products, seasonal accents, and the imagination of the chefs. * **Restaurant Terrace:** Here, at a height that feels like flying, nature seems to whisper in the ancient language of ancestors, and every sound becomes part of the harmony, and guests are treated to a magnificent panorama of the Caucasus Mountains. It is on the terrace that you can hear the legendary guardian of these places, the bird Dudukush, flap its wings somewhere in the sky.

The gastronomic concept of "DUDUKUSH" is a creative collaboration between the chef duo of Alexey Volkov and Roman Zernov, where traditions and modern techniques, local products, and global gastronomic experiences are intertwined. The basis of the cuisine is the DNA of the taste of the North Caucasus. It is not a copy of an ethnic restaurant, but a living interpretation of flavors familiar to everyone who grew up at the foot of the mountains, in a family where food is love, and the table is a place of meeting for generations. Here, Caucasian cuisine is reinterpreted through the prism of modern Europe and America. The open fire sets the tone: a large custom grill is not just equipment, but a hearth, the heart of the restaurant. Meat and vegetables are slow-cooked, smoked, and grilled here: the grill, low temperatures, ovens, and the aroma of wood are the main tools of taste. The menu is mainly based on local products of the region: farm-raised lamb, fresh vegetables and herbs from local markets, homemade cheeses, Caspian fish, and mountain trout, aromatic oils, and spices. The chefs emphasize that the cuisine of "DUDUKUSH" is not only a gastronomic demonstration but also honest food, prepared over an open fire, with soul, and with respect for the product and the region. The portions are generous, as is customary in the Caucasus, where the table is a symbol of home and love. The project is given a special depth and authenticity by close, important, and conscious cooperation with local artists and craftsmen – those who preserve and pass on the cultural code of the region through their art:

* **Madina Saralp:** A renowned designer and founder of a fashion house in Nalchik. Her name has long been synonymous with modern ethnic style. She personally participated in drawing, sketching, and creating the uniforms for the staff of the "DUDUKUSH" restaurant – inspired by Adyghe silhouettes with sleeves reminiscent of the wings of the mythical bird Dudukush, with soft grace and noble simplicity. * **Ruslan Mazlo:** A unique artist working in the rarest technique of hand weaving from reeds. His unique methods of weaving, stitching, and twisting transform traditional mats into a new artistic dimension. No work is repeated: each is filled with meditative depth, the rhythm of nature, and subtle symbolism. Ruslan's works have become part of the interior of the restaurant – they not only decorate the walls but also create a dialogue with the space and the guests. For example, in the lobby of the hotel, there is Ruslan's largest work – an installation 5 meters high and 3 meters wide. This is a sacred portal that welcomes every guest. The work, which has no analogues in the artist's work, will become a symbol of the unity of nature, craftsmanship, and space. * **Ruslan Tsimov:** A well-known Kabardino-Balkarian artist who, inspired by the location, atmosphere, and philosophy of the project, created a painting depicting the Madonna, interpreted through the prism of Adyghe tradition as "the mother's hand" – a symbol of protection, strength, and warmth. An image-guardian that reminds of one's roots and a close connection to the earth. * **Milana Khalilova:** An artist and master of felt crafts, who transformed it into an art form, created an impressive 12-meter chandelier above the bar area. Made by hand using an ancient Adyghe felting technique, it will become a key lighting accent and an installation.

The "DUDUKUSH" restaurant tells tales in which the last line remains open. This is a place that reveals Kabardino-Balkaria in a new way, both for guests of the region who have come from afar and for residents who love their home. With love for traditions.