Lotus Bistro

LOTUS bistro has opened in the historic Olsufyev House on the Fontanka embankment — a new project by the "" group. The location wasn't chosen at random: for ten years, the wine bar Wong Kar Wine operated here, introducing Petersburgers to Asian culture. Now LOTUS continues that tradition, but in its own register — with evening cocktails, original cuisine and a distinctive atmosphere.

Alexey Alekseev's restaurants

The interior was designed by studio UpToYou Design, in a contemporary Asian style with chinoiserie touches and the mood of colonial Shanghai. The space is split into two rooms by a wide black-marble bar counter, above which a huge lotus blooms. Inside is a mix of black, red and gold, carved furniture, patterned fabrics, and light evoking a sunset over the Middle Kingdom. Every element is considered: leaf-patterned wallpaper, stones carved with the kanji for "ikigai," forms brought over from Thailand, and textures nodding to different Asian cultures.

The menu, put together by chef Andrei Skornyakov, covers the whole map of Asia, from sashimi and spring rolls to laksa and Chinese-style duck. Among the mains: langoustines in kataifi pastry, a shiitake tartare coated in nori, and rolls with orange tartare or mango purée. Among the desserts: a mont blanc with matcha and yuzu, rice pudding with red shiso, and a ganache with mushroom powder and soy caramel. The bar list is designed as a fan, with each blade holding a cocktail with character: "Shogun" with jasmine and absinthe, "Jang Seok's Kiss" with wild strawberry, and the bold "My Neighbor the Yakuza" with cardamom and passion fruit.