Rishon

A kosher cafe with the highest level of certification, designed with a focus not on national culinary traditions, but on the lifestyle of the museum's visitors.

The Rishon cafe at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center is a place where Middle Eastern cuisine meets the rhythm of a big city. "Rishon" means "first" in Hebrew. This is the first cafe in Moscow with a menu that adheres to the highest kosher standards, and it was created with a focus not on national culinary traditions, but on the lifestyle of the museum's visitors. Here, you can hold a business meeting or a family dinner, relax with friends after exploring the exhibits, or take food to go for a quick bite. The compliance with all standards in the kitchen and dining area is monitored by cameras in the kosher department of the Chief Rabbinate. Chef Alexander Maron has 15 years of experience working in Israel (Suzette, Tamara, Chef Cusine). The blend of cultures and traditions characteristic of this region has had a significant influence on his style: Maron creates dishes that blend Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, maintaining high standards for both the quality of the ingredients and the adherence to kosher requirements. Alexander Maron is known to the Moscow public through his projects Nofar and SomeMeat. The "Rishon" menu features two main sections. The first is Middle Eastern, primarily Israeli: hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, pita with salmon, Katzutz salad, and shakshuka – classic or green with spinach, and chraime – sea bass cooked in a sauce of tomatoes, hot peppers, and spices. QR codes will soon be placed in the cafe, which can be scanned to learn the history of each dish. Plans also include launching a pop-up menu inspired by exhibitions of Jewish designers and artists. The second section of the menu features familiar European cuisine. It includes several types of pizza, pasta (Alla Norma or with Alfredo sauce with mushrooms), fish dishes, side dishes, and homemade desserts. The cafe also offers a "take away" option. The interior, designed by the Sundukovy Sisters design studio, is a variation on the avant-garde theme that is significant to the museum. The basis of the layout is a circle, symbolizing wholeness and perfection. The cafe area is a multi-functional hall separated from the main museum space by an arched structure. The design features warm terracotta and deep sky-blue tones. The cafe features custom-made furniture with a minimalist design, multi-level lighting, and decorative elements that reference past museum exhibitions.