Bosco Bar

Description:

• In any other European city, a plaza like Red Square would be ringed with sidewalk cafes and other commerce. Not so in Moscow -- until Bosco Bar emerged at the turn of the millennium, at last cracking open the long facade of the GUM department store that runs nearly the length of Red Square. The cafe remains the only access to GUM from the square, which enhances its exclusivity. Started by Bosco & Ciliegi, a Russian company that markets international luxury brands to Russia's ultrarich, the cafe is a decadent but oh-so-satisfying way to absorb the atmosphere of Moscow's epicenter, elbow-to-elbow with the people who make modern Moscow tick. Food is flawlessly prepared but often flimsy and overpriced; this is a better stop for coffee or for a sample of one of the cafe's 20 flavors of ice cream. If you're hungry, try the shrimp and arugula salad or one of the reasonably priced pastas. The entrance from within GUM is concealed behind the Bosco Sport store.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010