LEA

The LEA bistro and bar, located on Zubovskaya Square, is stylish, vibrant, and perfectly captures the spirit of the times.

The Krivtsova & Redina design studio created a space that is both simple and luxuriously modern. The rich chocolate and gray-blue tones create a sophisticated atmosphere, while the gleaming bar reflects the chandeliers above. Semi-circular sofas are tucked away in alcoves, and the bar seamlessly transitions into an open kitchen featuring aquariums and a refrigerated display case for fresh fish and seafood.

The young and ambitious 24-year-old head chef, Alexei Volkov, brings a wealth of experience to the table (Maya, Rocky2, "Good Girl," and a culinary arts school instructor). For LEA, he envisioned a fusion of Southern European culinary traditions with Asian influences. The result is even better than expected. The menu is playful and features familiar flavors and aromas, making it tempting to try everything.

From raw oysters and scallops to ceviche, carpaccio, tartare, and crudo, the raw bar offers a variety of options. For example, the scallop tartare features a salty, firm scallop paired with truffle, while the wild dorada crudo is served with a sauce made from aji amarillo peppers and coconut cream. The appetizer selection is equally impressive, with dishes like vitello tonnato with kimchi, crab ceviche with mango and yuzu, and arancini with langoustine and red caviar – a fireworks display of bold flavor combinations without being overwhelming. The strip loin BBQ is served interactively: thin slices of meat are grilled in front of you over birch wood, and a wasabi, seaweed, and tonzaru sauce dressing adds depth to the dish. The pasta section offers a choice of fresh egg pasta, gnocchi, risotto, and traditional dried pasta. Try the lasagna, for example, which features a light and airy texture with a foam made from aged cheese. The pasta itself is a culinary experience, but there's more to come, including kushiyaki skewers infused with the smoky aroma of robata grilling, and heartier dishes like a spicy octopus or a crab sautéed with chili and lemongrass, served with XO sauce and mashed potatoes.

The flavors of these dishes are designed to be memorable, as Alexei Volkov's cuisine blurs the line between sophisticated gastronomy and comforting food. The restaurant's wine list complements the food perfectly, with a wide selection of sparkling wines, still wines in a trendy style, and approximately 40 options by the glass, making it one of the most interesting in the city. The ability to access the full wine cellar list via a QR code makes it one of the most extensive as well.

The bar at LEA is a highlight, featuring a signature cocktail menu created by head bartender Vasily Zhelyov. A legend in Moscow's bar scene, Zhelyov was named the best bartender in 2021 by the "Palm Branch" award and is a finalist and winner of numerous national and international bartending competitions. For the LEA bar's cocktail menu, Zhelyov selected a few key ingredients, highlighting their unique flavors with other complementary ingredients. Almonds in a twist on the classic Adonis, tomatoes in an unexpected pairing with mastic resin liqueur, and sakura (cherry blossom) as a key element in a luxurious Lychee Martini – these 16 signature cocktails showcase Zhelyov's ability to orchestrate flavors and aromas. The most surprising creation is a clarified version of the Piña Colada, called Coconut. The pineapple consommé, sparkling mineral water, and champagne are all made possible by LEA's state-of-the-art bar laboratory and the innovative techniques used by the bar team.

To ensure that guests never get bored with the fantastic food and cocktails at LEA, the bistro and bar are open 24 hours a day. A DJ station is located at the entrance, and live sets are promised every week.