IL Patio

Description:

• This chain's management was the first in Moscow to recognize the city's need for reasonably priced restaurants with edible food and decent service, a concept that didn't exist 15 years ago. The market was huge and untapped, and after some trial and error the Russian company hit on the successful Il Patio formula. Thin-crust pizzas, generously spiced pastas, a salad bar, and a children's menu may be standard fare in your home town, but in Moscow they remain scarce. Il Patio is a safe choice for kids or the unadventurous, or if you're sick of Russian fare. It opens early for breakfast, too -- another rarity in Russia. The salad bar includes Russian mayonnaise-based salads and garlic-marinated vegetables, in addition to fresh raw greens. The selection of vegetarian pizzas is broader than those at most other Russia pizza joints.

• © Frommer's 2013