While we love every single outlet, which offers virtually the same food of the same quality, we would single out the one at Maroseika , because it is the only one we know that offers seating AND good crockery (elsewhere it is more of a...fast food delivery style).
It is not for nothing that they are in the market for a long 20 year. This is a remarkable achievement in Moscow, where restaurants often open and close within one-two years.
This outlet is most famous for its pancakes with various fillings. However, it also offers a wide range of traditional Russian fare, which includes starters, soups and main course, plus they some limited selection for a of sweet tooth (pancakes with jams) and drinks. Almost every dish is a signature one, for a Russian palate.
For starter, we like their herring under "fur coat", that is layered boiled shredded beetroot, onion, potato and mayo plus herring, at the bottom. Excellent potatos farmer's style, plus herring (herring is of good quality).
The soups include borsch, pea soup and a few more. We really enjoyed borsch and pea soup.
For main course selection is wide, despite limited space. One of our favourite is buckwheat "kasha", port or chicken meat balls, and, of course, pancakes with fillings.
It is plain impossible to list all the options here. What is always good about those pancakes is the quality of dough. It is excellent. Ask to complement it with sour cream.
They have selection of cheaper ones, then "filling" ones, then savoury and finally sweet ones - and many more! Our favourite are chicken liver pate with fermented cucumbers, and with salmon, and, of course, with red caviar.
Drinks include straightforward teas and coffees, plus Russian kvas, mors, and even alcohol free glintwein (if there is such thing...). Kvas is excellent. You can have draft beer, too, if I remember correctly.
To sum up: one can have a snack here, quick meal, or full lunch. Just like they claim it, food is of a restaurant quality, and we can passionately confirm it. The bill for a rather good lunch for one person would run into USD10, though you can have your lunch for half the price.
Been there umpteen times, will come more, and will highly recommend to anybody.More