Our noisy, diverse capital! How many warm, chamber places she hides in her quiet, inconspicuous courtyards, which sometimes you will not immediately notice or find! But it happens the other way around - it flaunts some establishments so that an idle strolling passerby does not pass by, but looks, as usual, at the light. That is exactly what the Ugolek restaurant is, comfortably located in Moscow on Bolshaya Nikitskaya. And in this case, “look at the light” is by no means a catch phrase, but an expression that reflects the essence and concept of the establishment. You will also have here bewitching tongues of flame, and a fragrant smoke that brings people together (we already know) no less than the smoke of a real fire made in the taiga accompanied by songs with a guitar.
If you want a good meal and relax in a relaxed atmosphere, go to the Ugolek restaurant. Moscow is too restless a city, every year gaining more and more European gloss, therefore, finding such cozy places here is often not easy at all. Recently, among the metropolitan restaurants, pathos, glamor, screaming window dressing have dominated. But "Ugolok" is a completely different world. A world where anyone will feel not only at ease, but also with a plate where an amazing treat is located.
The history of the "Coal"
The founders of the restaurant are Ilya Tyutenkov and William Lamberti. Yes, yes, this is the same Lamberti, by whose name Uilliam's is known today. Arriving once in Russia from distant Italy and starting with a chef in a Moscow restaurant, Lamberti rose to a restaurateur and has several income-generating projects in the capital. And he is not going to take the achieved heights.
The “Corner” came about when Uilliam's got too crowded. So many visitors gathered that the apple had nowhere to fall. It was necessary to come up with something new. But I did not want to make a copy of the promoted Uilliam's. Dreams were about something else - to surprise the capricious and sophisticated Moscow audience. Well, it succeeded. Surprised, so surprised ...
What are you going to talk about, a wood stove?
What is original about the Ugolek restaurant? Its highlight is the wood stove. Down with gas, electricity and other achievements of civilization! Here they decided to return to the roots. However, these furnaces are not Russian, but American. As many as 6 pieces. At first, the organizers saw them on the Internet, and then it was decided to go to America, Massachusetts, to their father and daughter Richardson, who have a whole collection of restored furnaces.
Tell me, what's your name?
What is interesting: the stoves that decorate the Ugolek restaurant are full-time workers here. They even have their own names. For example, one of these beauties is called Blue Bird. A very romantic name, given that its translation sounds like a “blue bird”.
Eyewitnesses claim that furnaces resemble an organ with its many tools. Only instead of music they give out breathtaking smells of cooked delicacies.
You must be able to play such an instrument. And the restaurant employees studied this art for a long time, until they became virtuosos in their field.
The interior is all over the head
What hides the Ugolek restaurant inside? Guest reviews say that this is a very cozy, homely quiet place, devoid of any pathos. Although many note some brutality in the design. Judge for yourself: massive cast-iron stoves that look so elegant that they do not immediately catch the eye; walls covered with real moss; rough shops. And next to it are flowers in elegant flowerpots, cute, self-woven capes that turn benches into cute, comfortable sofas. The entire interior is built on a combination of concrete, wood and metal. Such is the triad of ordinary building materials. But what a setting! I don’t want to leave from here.
No, here you will not find either modern plasma or the usual billiards, but the atmosphere itself is so drawn into its whirlpool that it penetrates it seriously and for a long time.
And, of course, the kitchen!
Restaurant "Ugolek": menu
The popularity of any restaurant is composed of many factors. This is the interior, and the level of service, and the entertainment program. But no matter how beautiful it is inside and no matter how helpful the waiters are, if the client does not like the taste of the dishes on offer, he will not return to such an institution.
The Ugolek restaurant is an oasis where you can not only relax and sit in a pleasant environment, but also have a tasty snack. The menu is, of course, primarily the merit of the chef. Many people mistakenly think that this position is occupied by William Lamberti. However, this is not at all true. Chef’s laurels here belong to Mikhail Gerashchenko.
What do the spoiled Moscow public and guests of the white stone capital offer?
In many brochures, the kitchen of the Ugolek restaurant is called European. In fact, this is not entirely true. She is an author, but built on European traditions. You judge for yourself where else you can meet dishes such as:
- Caesar with black sauce. Do you know why he has such a color? It is dressed with cuttlefish ink. And complements this masterpiece mini seafood kebab. You think it’s completely tasteless? And you listen to reviews, and try this amazing salad yourself. Your opinion will change dramatically. By the way, such a pleasure costs 750 rubles.
- Bruschettas. Ordinary sandwiches, which can be prepared at home. What's so complicated? Fried slice of bread, a slide of tomatoes, cheese and other ingredients. But no. People come here to enjoy a seemingly familiar dish. Visitors especially note bruschettas with artichokes and shrimp. The average price of sandwiches is 650 rubles.
And there are also hot snacks cooked in the oven, amazingly delicious desserts. In a word, it must be tried.
Tips for first-time planners
"Ugolek" is a restaurant whose photos are fascinating. Therefore, to refrain from visiting is unlikely to succeed. If you decide to visit this place yourself, then listen to the advice of those who have already been here:
- Prices, of course, are an order of magnitude higher than in other restaurants, but it cannot be said that most people cannot afford them. The average bill, as visitors say, usually costs 1,500 rubles.
- Reviews note that it is better to book a table in advance, especially for weekends.
- The restaurant's regulars warn that after 6 pm there are problems with paying with cards, so it is better to have cash with you.
Restaurant "Ugolek" is a place where you are always welcome.