Gogol

Set in a series of drawing rooms outfit as though you were stepping back in time, the adorable Gogol (named after the famous writer who lived in this neighborhood for a while) is a good spot for trying Russian classics. It draws its fair share of visitors so don’t expect to be dining among locals (it’s also more understated than upscale residents prefer). But the staff, in old-fashioned uniforms, is lovely, and the setting, with its fading wallpaper, gild-framed drawings and frilly curtains, is memorable because it’s so different from St. Petersburg’s mostly sleek restaurant scene.