Since 2013, the Russian audience has had the honor of meeting Jamie's Italian. This is an international restaurant chain from the maestro of modern culinary.
Who is Jamie Oliver
This is a brilliant chef, restaurateur, author of books on cooking, and even a part-time showman. He promotes simple and healthy food.
Although he is British by nationality, it was Italian cuisine that always served as a source of inspiration for him, which is why he put it as the cornerstone in the pyramid of his culinary achievements. Many Russians also became his fans thanks to television projects in which Jamie took part. But it is one thing to watch how this or that dish is being prepared, and another to try it.
Some visited one of his establishments abroad, and when they learned about the opening of this brainchild in the cultural capital of Russia, they directly applauded with delight. Did Jamie Oliver's restaurant in St. Petersburg live up to their expectations? It seems that not really.
Concept
Oliver does not need advertising, his name is already a PR brand. Like fireflies in the light, customers go to a restaurant, seeing only a sign. This is designed.
But immediately it is necessary to voice the fact that Jamie Oliver is not the owner of the institution. Moreover, he had never visited him. It was opened by the Ginza Project franchise. But the feature of the institution is that all dishes were invented exclusively by this eminent chef and are strictly kept in the recipe to the smallest detail. Compliance with the grammar and the technological component is monitored by British colleagues Ginza Project. And the link between the holding and the Jamie Oliver Group is Matteo Lai, their official brand chef in Russia. He is now collaborating with two restaurants since the second opened in Moscow.
All the menus and the bar map reflect Oliver's original look at Italian cuisine. This was stated openly, and the whole concept is built on such an idea, so you need to come here with a properly tuned gastronomic tuning fork, waiting for the British reading of Mediterranean dishes.
Interior
Petersburgers prefer a more chamber atmosphere, and Jamie Oliver's restaurant in St. Petersburg is built in the spirit of a trattoria. This format involves a very close arrangement of tables.
It is always noisy there, and it seems that you are sitting side by side with other visitors, although the restaurant itself is large. But this creates a certain cosiness. Lovers of solitude will feel uncomfortable there, but there are comfortable tables for large companies. But there is plenty of space above your head: high arched vaults and masonry give an amazing sense of freedom. The red color of the chairs stands out against the background of terracotta walls. The tables are not covered with tablecloths, it’s somehow not like a restaurant, but, obviously, such an idea. There is no unnecessary pathos and glamor.
All kinds of sausages, ham and other smoked meats, suspended above the bar, not only create the image of a pantry, but also great appetite.
The target audience
Italian cuisine is the receptacle of many cultures, it has accumulated the traditions of different ethnic groups and generations. And here all this is presented through the prism of an author's reading of the famous British restaurateur. If you do not wait for the impossible, then there will be no disappointment from unfulfilled anticipations. So the one who for the first time wants to try Italian dishes and give an impression of them, was mistaken by the door. But for those who are delighted with Oliver’s creativity, you are always welcome.
Jamis Italian is perfect for a family brunch. Also, an entire army of regular customers has already formed, who while away here for a lunch break at a business lunch. As for romantic dates, it is not very cozy here, but for gatherings with a noisy company of friends - that’s it. Many people choose this place for some kind of celebration.
Jamie Oliver (restaurant): menu
So, what are they doing here? As befits an institution with an Italian slant, the emphasis here is on cheeses, smoked meats, seafood in different interpretations. Those who first came to such a restaurant, a large selection of dishes with unfamiliar names can enter into a stupor. Fortunately, the waiters are competent and always ready to help.
Salads (for example, salmon with fennel, orange, celery and yogurt dressing, bresaola with arugula, parmesan and radicchio, prosciutto with pear and pine nuts), bruschettas (with mushrooms, eggplant and pine nuts, with appetizers) and ricotta), nachos and arancini. Separately, it is necessary to highlight branded chips from polenta.
The real spirit of Italy can be tasted with seasonal grilled vegetables or meat delicacies (peck and koppa) to choose from, served with red pepper jam, mozzarella, pecorino, capers, lemon, olives and mint.
From the first dishes, they prepare a Tuscan country soup made from sweet tomatoes, garlic, basil, with bread and olive oil, mushroom cream soup with cream and croutons, pumpkin and apple soup with bacon, sage and tortano.
Well, the classics of the genre - risotto, pasta and pizza - are present in different forms. As for the first, that is, the option with mushrooms (porcini, champignons and oyster mushrooms) or cheeses (parmesan, gorgonzola, scorice and asiago). Among the pasta, the most interesting positions are presented: linguines with shrimps, homemade tagliolini with smoked trout and mascarpone cream or spaghetti with scallops and cuttlefish ink.
You can treat yourself to pizza. The menu includes “Margarita” with traditional ingredients, “Fiorentina” with mozzarella, spinach and baked eggs, “Parma” with prosciutto and grana padano and “Putanesca” with black olives and capers. Each of them is worth tasting.
The main dishes include baked cod and salmon, ribeye steak with oyster mushrooms and radicchio, seafood skewers, grilled chicken and beef and Jamie's Italian burger.
Loyal sweet followers will be crazy about blackberry cheesecakes, almond-raspberry and lemon cakes.
As an aperitif, they will offer cocktails based on aperol, campari, prosecco.
As for alcoholic beverages, there is a great variety: from vodka, gin, whiskey to vermouth and liquor.
Address
The place was chosen quite pompous: Konyushennaya Square, house 2. The nearest metro stations are Nevsky Prospekt and Gostiny Dvor. This is the very heart of the gastronomic mecca of St. Petersburg. The competition between the institutions, of which there is for every taste and color, is off the charts. So to open one more there, even the most extraordinary, is a rather bold step.
Jamie Oliver's restaurant in St. Petersburg: opening hours
On weekdays, the institution opens its doors at 9:30, and on Saturday and Sunday at noon. But the restaurant works by default until 00:00, but in fact - until the last customer. So no one will push the night owls to the exit. Very democratic.
Reviews dissatisfied
Skeptics say that Oliver does not smell here. Very often you can find criticism about cooking technology. Especially unhappy are those who have visited a similar institution Jamie's Italian in London or elsewhere, and who have something to compare. They complain that they did not find any culinary revelations, the taste qualities of dishes barely reach the "four" on a five-point scale. Although here, rather, the problem of high expectations. Surprisingly, even those who praise the institution say that the second time is unlikely to go on purpose. Cause? Again, the mediocre level and routine of dishes. Very often in the reviews flicker the words that the food is tasty, but there is no raisin, and from “James Italian” they expected more. The prices here are too high even for St. Petersburg.
Restaurant advantages
Not every decent institution boasts the presence of a nursery with a nanny, but here it is. And no wonder, because the restaurant preaches not only Italian cuisine, but also values, and there the family comes first, so it’s common to relax with the children. A special menu has also been developed for them.
Plasma with culinary lessons from the maestro of the kitchen is also hanging on the walls, and books with his recipes are on the shelves. It inspires experimentation. Arriving home, I want to immediately realize what I saw or read.
Jamie Oliver's restaurant in St. Petersburg is just a good and varied Italian food. Yes, you may not call it divine, and it will not bring the effect of boundless delight, but it is delicious!
But I wonder what Jamie Oliver himself would say about this restaurant, using his name as a brand? I would like to believe that if this happens, the institution by that time will correct its shortcomings and will not fall face to face in the face of an experienced chef.