Feodor Dostoevsky Gourmet Restaurant, St. Petersburg

Within waving distance of the man's statue, Dostoevsky is a spacious cafe whose friendly young staff give lie to the popular image of Russia's surly service culture. Lunch-time is a pleasant and relaxed event with the music refreshingly unobtrusive, and finding a table is rarely a problem. Their excellent 'blini' seem to be popular at this time and can try them with a variety of fillings including cheese, and mushrooms and onions. Alchohol however, is slightly more expensive here than other places of its ilk and the cheapest. This doesn't however, prevent the evening clientele from handing over their money, as they drink along to some raucous local band trying their luck, (and often someone else's patience).