Francesco

Located in one of St. Petersburg's wealthiest neighborhoods, close to the government offices round Smolny Cathedral, Francesco is a joint project between the renowned Moscow restaurateur Arkadiy Novikov and Ginza Project, a Russian company that has opened successful restaurants in London and New York. Francesco has the pedigree to be one of the best restaurants in town, and it doesn't disappoint. Ginza's greatest success has been to introduce a more contemporary, laid-back feel to fine dining in Russia, combined with friendly, efficient, unobtrusive service and discreet luxuries that remind you what you're paying the substantial prices for (the children's playroom is equipped with iPads, for example).

Francesco

The concept of the restaurant is to create the experience of dining in an Italian family home, the family in question being from the higher ranks of the bourgeoisie. Seafood occupies much of the brief but enticing menu, including wolffish carpaccio and an excellent crab and asparagus risotto. In contrast, the wine list is almost endless.