In Beijing, you can find almost every kind of Chinese food. But international cuisines have also made their way onto the capital's menus, and many people's appetites. For some Chinese, the mention of certain foreign restaurants stirs a sense of nostalgia for the days of their childhood.
The Moscow Restaurant was first foreign restaurant to open in Beijing in the 1950s. Its distinctive architecture and cuisine quickly earned it a good reputation. People affectionately called it "Laomo", roughly translated as "Old Moscow."
In 2000, the Moscow Restaurant renovated and redecorated, but still preserved its splendid Russian style. It resembles a small palace with its multi-story high ceilings and ornate fixtures.
The restaurant can seat six hundred people at a time. But the big charm for the many Chinese patrons is the Russian culture reflected here.
The exotic food and elegant atmosphere keep Beijingers lining up for a different dining experience. The Moscow Restaurant has developed a lot in its 50 years. But people can still taste the same traditional foods of yesteryear.
Another restaurant serving up a Russian flavor, or more accurately a Ukraninian one, is the Kiev.
Much smaller and younger than Moscow Restaurant, the Kiev has its own style with Ukrainian Vodka and oil paintings. It also showcases the Ukrainian love of singing and dancing. Many of the members of the restaurant's singing group are well-known and respected back home.
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