FUNAMBULE
Funambule is a restaurant of Russian-French cuisine in the very center of St. Petersburg, on Malaya Konyushennaya, in the heart of the city, where Boris Grebenshchikov once lived.
I am going to be honest; I didn't feel it was really like a French restaurant in the atmosphere, but the place is cute, calm and service-effective.
You won't wait for a table or for your meals for too long. It's not too hyped, probably because of the high prices and specific menu choices, which allow you to really have a pleasant time. They have a summer terrace for those who want to sit outside and enjoy the short Saint Petersburg summer.
You can taste dishes of French origin here; it's definitely a place for romantics or nostalgics.
A little history
Where does FUNAMBULE come from ?
In Paris in the early 19th century, the first troupes of boulevard actors appeared at the Boulevard du Temple, offering shows with pantomimes, wordless comedies, vaudevilles and farces. Among them were the funambules, acrobats on the rope.
So, what we tried and tasted the most in the French traditional kitchen:
Omelette with potatoes, spinach and Parma : this is the easiest meal you can make when you have nothing left in the fridge, but strangely, not everyone manages to make it tasty. This omelette was approved!
French toast with shrimp : French toast and shrimp don't sound French at all, but I would say it was an avant-garde experience. I loved it !
Beef tartare with Parmesan and truffle : It reminds me of the summer bistro terrace meal—light, fresh and tastes-fulfilling.
Salad with duck breast and Camembert : simple and tasty. Duck and Camembert combo—yes, it can be only French.
Mussels in Beurre Blanc/DORBLU sauce and shallots : this is a meal that has a taste of seaside holidays, and the DorBlue cheese sauce will make my brother very happy.
Snails with garlic butter and croutons : the typical cliché meal. Actually, in France, we eat snails in butter only for Christmas holidays, but I would be able to eat them any time as I miss it now. Be aware that it's not so light to digest, and there is garlic...
Onion soup : this is the soup to be said for the winter and for the poor. It's just so simple, so warming and tasty. Thanks to this soup, you understand how simplicity can create miracles. I love it ; you eat one bowl of it, and you are fulfilled for many hours.
Duck leg confit with celery cream and rosé pepper sauce Duck leg confit originated in the region of Gascony, in France, several centuries ago, and it's made by maturing the duck legs in salt and braising them in their own melted fat, making it possible to preserve them over the winter.
Breton rooster (Coq) in wine with chestnuts : It’s a very old dish dating back to medieval France.
Three desserts I noticed and enjoyed :
Tarte tatin with apple and vanilla ice cream. This was one of my favorite childhood desserts.It's all about family dessert, and there is something magic when the caramelized warm apples meet the vanilla ice cream.
Caramel mille-feuille. It's important to say that this is a russian mille-feuille not French. I could never call this a mille-feuille, but it was very tasty and balanced.
Chou with hazelnut praline. It's a classical choice, and with coffee, it always makes a win.
