TRAKTIR MEDVED

Out of fairness to other My Guide partners I will refrain from saying this is the best restaurant I have been to in Almaty ;) I will also keep it a secret that I plan to go back with some regularity.

But what I can do, is explain why ...

Medved is a relatively new establishment near the famous Rixos Hotel, on Kabanbai Batyr Street. It is the perfect place for a romantic dinner, or a business lunch. It offers a 40% discount on everything during lunch hours, including alcoholic drinks. Whenever you come, you will be served by pleasant staff dressed in traditional Russian costumes.

Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are tastefully designed in Slavic style. The soft colours complement the comfortable ambience and the owners are keen that guests experience the special Medved welcome - that feeling of eating as if a guest in somebody's home. Fascinating symbols of Russian culture and life are everywhere. There are private tables with curtains, two VIP rooms and a smoking area, which non-smokers can be reassured is located in a separate room. The total seating capacity is 120. The average bill is $27 per person.

So what of the food? First of all note that the menu must have taken weeks to put together! It's actually a photo album with dozens of pictures of their dishes, page after page. Although there is English text, and the staff can help out with understanding and choosing, the photos do the job on their own. You can order one or several dishes without even knowing the names. Maybe go early, to give yourself time to consider all the many tempting options.

There are probably hundreds of different choices; salads, meat, fish and a dedicated vegetarian page. They can even cater for people wanting something not listed, if such a dish exists!

This is a Russian restaurant through and through, but they are also proud to be in Kazakhstan. There are specials and banquets to celebrate not only Russian festivals but also those treasured by Kazakhs, for example Nauryz, in March.

Visitors to Almaty understand that this is a multi-cultural country. There are restaurants serving food from all over the world, but a trip to this city would not be complete without experiencing the best of what its Russian community has to offer. And Medved will more than cater for you in this.