Itameshi

Alexey Alekseev's third restaurant is about erasing clichés and boundaries, about the union of opposites and the harmony of differences. The global trend that unites Italy and Asia is called Itameshi. Like a whirlwind of petals, hibiscus petals frozen in transparent resin numbered plates swirl in a circle of ornamental patterns on dishes. Intoxicate with a bouquet of scents of truffle and yuzu, balsamic and kaffir lime. A landslide of bright flavors and sensations will crash in the midst of the cold St. Petersburg autumn. Alexey Alekseev's third restaurant is unlike Inner or Futurist. Itameshi is about erasing clichés and boundaries, about the union of opposites and the harmony of differences. The global trend that unites Italy and Asia has given its name to the new restaurant so that everyone will remember – this is Itameshi. With the thoughtful aesthetics characteristic of Alexey's restaurants, the spirit of Itameshi permeates not only the menu but also the restaurant itself, located in the new beautiful Artstudio M103 apartment hotel on Moskovsky Prospekt. Designers from the SUITE N.7 bureau decorated the large, bright space with six-meter ceilings in a Japanese minimalist and Italian warm style. They decorated the columns with oak panels, divided the hall with live trees and linen curtains. Warm terracotta walls with the texture of Italian facade reliefs and blue maiolica with ochre on the open kitchen filled it with the atmosphere of a real Sicilian home. And the Japanese philosophy of unity with nature allowed light to freely flow through the glass of large panoramic windows, flooding the entire space. And it seems one can even feel a gentle breeze, on which the flying "fabric" of the white chandelier shoots up and freezes in the moment. Every detail in the restaurant can be examined for a long time, deciphering its history. Custom shades from smoky glass of the St. Petersburg studio Handle, miccelunas for pizza with copper inserts on the handles forged by a Krasnodar blacksmith, glass vases and napkin holders from the Shchiglik workshop, resembling hibiscus buds and flowers – the flower that united two cultures, symbolizing hospitality for the Japanese and happiness and love for the Italians. Even the furniture collection is symbolic in its own way. Vienna chairs made of hand-bent wood, Italian ones with design from Roman Soho House, white velvet armchairs from America, gray and half-bar oak chairs from Moscow woodworkers – the variety of forms and textures creates the feeling of a cozy home that several generations of the family carefully furnished. And in the living room, hidden behind glass partitions in the depth of the hall, where a round table is surrounded by chairs of various sizes, this comparison is most obvious. And the table with a rotating center itself embodies the Itameshi style – Italian dining in Japanese style. Chef Alekseev takes up the ideas of Alekseev the restaurateur. The menu, uniting the traditions of two such unlike countries, looks boyishly bold and skillfully honed. Virtuously mixing countries, flavors, habits, ingredients in one plate, he does not seek compromise but invents something new. Kenyan beans – in thin airy tempura with sriracha and teriyaki, Piedmont tartare battuta – with eel mousse and kimchi, pasta casarecce – with tongue steak and soy sauce fried shiitake, even pizza – with shrimp and squid in tom yum sauce. From the first to the last dish in the menu, Alekseev makes the receptors work at maximum, covering them with new sensations wave after wave. Unconventional combinations, flavor explosions, author's view on classic recipes and techniques – all this is Itameshi. From the very light touch when suddenly Italian porchetta appears in Asian ramen, and octopus has mashed potatoes with wasabi and lemongrass sauce. To a real fireworks in sashimi from Murmansk scallops with salsa of pineapple and tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinegar and romesco or poke with tuna, mango and spicy sesame sauce. Head bartender Roman Kachanov takes up this game, filling Italian classics and author mixes with colorful Japanese notes and exotic flavors. Sake, grappa, amaro, tropical fruits and citrus are combined, telling about the best sides of each tradition. Preserving traditions, Itameshi creates its own unique style. And it is much wider than the frames of one project. Costumes designed for the team by St. Petersburg designer Olga Maki, one wants to wear to theaters and exhibitions, trying on not only the image but also the philosophy of the author, confident that "behind simplicity and apparent fragility may be hidden the fiery desire for real life". Tables with pizza stands and rotating centers equalize culinary traditions, returning to the principle – it is important not how but what. And on plates with a bright pattern of hibiscus, yuzu and bamboo flowers, so similar to Sicilian painted ceramics, an interesting plot unfolds, where behind new symbols hide incredibly intriguing meanings.