Renard

A second Renard pastry shop, led by head pastry chef Marina Shumskaya, has opened at 18 Aptekarsky Prospekt. It offers French breakfasts, fresh pastries, and signature desserts. Continuing the concept of a café for everyday enjoyment, Marina has created a new gathering place for St. Petersburg residents, offering late breakfasts and freshly baked bread. The head pastry chef has returned to a familiar location on the Petrograd side, directly across from the former Star pastry shop.

The new pastry shop features eight types of homemade bread, including a beetroot tartine, over ten varieties of in-house baked goods, and approximately twenty unique signature desserts. These include layered desserts named after French-speaking cities, unique velour-covered rabbit-shaped pastries, and delicate "Shu" cakes.

The menu is curated by Maria Zakharchenko, the new head chef of the French pastry shops. Maria has expanded and updated the breakfast selection, including French toast with halloumi cheese and a honey-truffle sauce, the "Campania" breakfast with homemade bread, spreads, and a boiled egg, the traditional French "croque madame," granola with berries and natural yogurt, and eighteen other elegant breakfast dishes. Maria is known in St. Petersburg for her work at the "Astoria" hotel and the Italian restaurant "Bona Capona."

Maria Zakharchenko, head chef of the French pastry shops: "I feel a strong connection to French culture, and I've long admired renowned French chefs. Marina and I share a love for Paris, and when we first met, we immediately realized that we could form an excellent team. Our main goal in creating the breakfast menu at Renard is to offer hearty and elegant breakfasts for everyday enjoyment."

The Renard team has ambitious plans, including launching a full menu, introducing regular new items and chef's specials, and adding specialty coffee to the menu.

According to the owner and head pastry chef, Marina Shumskaya: "We couldn't resist returning to our favorite spot. I've always wanted a café in this new district of Petrogradka, with its large number of residents who understand the importance of small, private businesses and neighborliness. In France, people visit the same bakery for generations, and we've already seen the children of our regular customers grow up. We know everyone by name and even have special treats for their pets. Since opening in 2019, the world has changed a lot, and I wanted to not only offer people my signature desserts but also provide them with something more substantial, become a part of their lives, so that someone could relax from the hustle and bustle to the sound of quiet music and enjoy their favorite breakfast, while someone else could bring home a loaf of fresh, real bread to share with their family. It's that simple: simple values and community."

The interior of Renard is designed in light colors with a delicate use of the signature pink hue. The focal point of the new space is the glass display case showcasing the signature layered desserts in various colors and shapes. Renard has 24 seats.