PAPAYA

The team behind the "Geografiya" bar-restaurant in St. Petersburg has opened a new bistro called PAPAYA, offering early Balinese breakfasts and signature cocktails.

Nestled amidst the concrete jungle of the "Vivaldi Plaza" business center, surrounded by numerous offices on Paveletskaya Street, the new bistro boasts an abundance of greenery in its interior and a soft, warm lighting. The brand chef of PAPAYA, Timur Kardanov ("Geografiya"), and the head chef, Vladimir Onuchin (the "Strelka" bar), have focused on classic Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese cuisine, which requires strict adherence to principles and a perfect combination of ingredients. For appetizers, the chefs offer classic gyoza with chicken and shrimp (490 rubles) or duck (570 rubles), pickled cucumbers (340 rubles), and a large green salad (890 rubles). Soup lovers will appreciate the Thai coconut soup (820 rubles), Pho Bo (820 rubles), or pumpkin cream soup with coconut milk (490 rubles). For main courses, there's something for everyone: Pad Thai with chicken (780 rubles), udon with beef (790 rubles), a whole sea bass in an Asian style (1470 rubles), or shrimp in a "Tom Yam" sauce with rice (790 rubles). The sushi and rolls are a major highlight of the menu. In addition to the traditional Philadelphia and California rolls, there are signature options like the Papaya Roll with seared salmon, shrimp, and ripe avocado (1090 rubles), or rolls with eel tartare (920 rubles). For those with a sweet tooth, there are both unusual options like seared mango with pink pepper (720 rubles) and classic desserts like trifle with coconut cream and berries (640 rubles). In addition to its main menu, PAPAYA offers early Balinese-style breakfasts and hearty lunches. Even the classic dishes have a touch of exoticism. The breakfast menu, available from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM on weekdays and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends, features syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes) with coconut condensed milk and berries (390 rubles), spicy shakshuka (540 rubles), a tornado omelet (290 rubles), rice porridge with coconut milk and mango (340 rubles), or a selection of fresh pastries to suit every taste. Employees of nearby business centers are welcome to enjoy the lunch special from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The bar is managed by Nikolai Orekhov, a well-known figure in St. Petersburg's bar scene, having worked on projects like "Geografiya," "Dom Byta," and Union. He has created a small but promising cocktail menu, drawing inspiration from the tropics and Asia, and adding a personal touch to classic recipes. The Nihao cocktail with Riesling and yuzu (750 rubles) and the Ping Pong cocktail with lime, white cocoa, and lychee (750 rubles) are expected to be popular. The wine list is curated to complement the Asian-inspired menu, with a focus on small wineries that take pride in their products. The interior design emphasizes warm and light tones, soft lighting, and a large amount of natural wood furniture, creating a comfortable atmosphere for both business meetings and romantic dates or family lunches. The PAPAYA team has paid close attention to detail: almost all the tableware was purchased at local markets in Bangkok, antique Asian lunch boxes are used as lighting fixtures, the ceiling is decorated with wide ribbons, and the real tropical Kapok trees lining the sides of the room are a source of pride for the establishment. Imported from Brazil, they add a touch of exoticism to the unique interior. The PAPAYA bistro team invites you to experience the flavors of Asia and immerse yourself in its culture.