Kolbasoff

 

This "beer restaurant" opened in March 2003. It looks very nice - almost too nice, as I have a hard time imagining coming here to quaff beers with buddies. The wood is all very dark and very fancy, while everything is immaculate and the waitstaff is too large. What makes this place distinctive is the two long thin tables with 8 barstools on each side and eight taps down the center of each table. Sit next to the tap you want, and pour your own brew. (The website has a good picture - but no English version, so good luck).

The name Kolbasoff makes reference to their dining specialty - sausages ("Kolbasa" in Russian). Seemed like about twenty varieties, of which at least the one I ordered was excellent. Nice Greek salad and pretty good bread, so no complaints. The waitress noticed that I had my hands full trying to feed my three year old daughter, so she came over with balloons for the girl and offered to cut the sausage for me. Maybe there is hope for Russia yet...

Thirteen brews on tap: one Russian, three Czech, one Belgian and the rest German. They had a couple things that are rare in Moscow, such as Duckstein and Altitude 6. All of the beers I ordered came in the appropriate logo glassware, and they were all served at the proper temperature. The Duckstein, however, struck me as a bit off - probably don't move it very often.

Overall, a good place to go before or after a show in the nearby theater district, and a welcome addition to the Moscow beer scene.