A brand new business district called Belaya Ploshad (White Square) built around an early 20-century old-believers' church. Old believers are a fundamentalist sect that's split from the official Orthodox Church in 17 century. Many prominent Russian tsarist-era businessmen were from the old-believers' background. During Soviet era, this church was desecrated, then, in the 1990s, returned to an old-belivers' community and renovated. A good example of Moscow contrasts - a fundamentalist church (with a Facebook page) and modern office blocks next door. Plus - on the other side of Belaya Ploshad there is Belorussky Station Square - a large intersection with an endless construction site, a railway station, full of dirt, primitive street trade, homeless, and... nice cafes.
Great place! Minimalist design, good ambient music, helpful staff.
Very delicious food, This isn't Russian cuisine, or Scandinavian, or any kind of national cookery. The dishes have been created by the restauranteurs.
"GUM is not just a store where you can buy almost everything. It is a shopping block where there is a pharmacy, bank branch, and flower shop ... It is a monument of architecture. It is a comfortable lounge area with restaurants and cafes. It is an art gallery and venue for cultural events. It is an integral part of Russian history. It is a symbol of Moscow and it is the closest place to the Kremlin, where you can feel yourself in Europe."
Text: Grigory Revzin.