Zoe Brasserie

A brasserie offering breakfast, Belgian beer, and a French touch, located in a historic building on Pokrovka, across from a quiet square and the bustling Boulevard Ring. The concept was created by Kamil Poladov (managing partner of "Romashka Management," which includes John Bull Pub, William Bass, and Molly Gwynn's) and designer Alexandra Shepilina (also of "Romashka Management"). Kamil and Alexandra aimed to modernize the atmosphere of traditional English pubs and create Zoe – a space with a subtle focus on beer, a diverse wine list, and an understated elegance.

The interior features a rich emerald green color, complemented by brass accents in oval mirrors and the furniture. The space is visually engaging, with colorful feathers adorning delicate lamps, a floral wall resembling a tapestry, a light-colored bar, and a bronze cat welcoming guests at the entrance.

Zoe's head chef is Alexander Filimonov (formerly of Buono, Sixty, St. Peters & St. Anton, William Bass, and Brasserie Mardi Gras), a connoisseur of English and German cuisine, with a background in the classic Sixty restaurant school, where he worked under the French chef Regis Trigel. Alexander has blended culinary traditions from several countries, creating a European-inspired menu for Zoe.

The menu begins with aperitif classics, perfect for pairing with wine or one of 15 fruit-flavored beers: Parma ham, olives, artichokes, and a pot of cheese fondue with bread.

Highlights include a salad with tiger prawns and papaya, a salad with crispy eggplant, goat cheese in pistachios, and feta in paprika, as well as grilled scallops with creamed spinach.

Before the main course, a soup is a must: French onion soup with a caramelized aroma, or a creamy soup made with white mushrooms, evoking the scent of an autumn forest. Freshly baked bread, including grissini with Provençal herbs, Finnish bread, and French bread, is also available.

Main courses include duck leg with polenta risotto, mussels in a cream sauce, and halibut with sweet potato puree. A particularly hearty dish is a lamb pie, braised in red wine, served under a pastry crust and perfectly paired with a full-bodied Chateau Tertre du Renard or a New World Zinfandel from Fetzer in the USA.

The wine list is simple and not overwhelming. It includes a classic Sauvignon Blanc from Russian Jack in New Zealand, a Catalan Cava from Josep Masachs, a Vinho Verde from Portugal made with the indigenous Loureiro grape, and an Urban Riesling from the Moselle region.

The beer selection is worth exploring. It features Trappist beers, including bottled Trappistes Rochefort, brewed in a monastery in Wallonia, and Chimay with its iconic Blue Cap, a rich and licorice-flavored beer. There's also a selection of Lindemans beers, including ales and lambics. On tap, you'll find craft beers from Scotland, Belgium, the UK, and Germany, including BrewDog Dead Pony, Steenbrugge Wit-Blanche with a blend of herbs and spices (gruut), the strong Belgian La Chouffe, aged in oak barrels, the unfiltered German Schneider Weisse TAP 1, and a cherry ale, Delirium Red. Each beer has a light body and can be paired with desserts, such as a brownie with cherries and mint ice cream, or a pear and berry strudel.

Breakfast is served at Zoe from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. The menu includes Syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes), baked polenta with smoked salmon, and Crêpes Suzette in an orange sauce. There are two types of omelets: one with smoked bacon, mushrooms, and eggs, and another with a Mediterranean flair, featuring prawns and asparagus. Potato pancakes (deruny) are also available, either made with potatoes, served with a poached egg and sour cream, or made with zucchini, served with stracciatella cheese.