Sky Lounge

This is the place to go if you want to feel like you're on top of the world - with Moscow in the palm of your hand.

One of the Russian capital's oldest high-flying restaurants, the appropriately named Sky Lounge is perched 100 metres up. It occupies the 22nd and 23rd floors of the Russian Academy of Sciences building - an architectural landmark that locals affectionately call 'Golden Brains' because of the gilded cubes that crown this distinctive skyscraper.

Located beside the capital's Sparrow Hills park on the Moscow River, the restaurant boasts a panoramic 360-degree outlook providing for sweeping views across the green belt of nature stretching along the river towards the towering Moscow State University around the river's bend. Needless to say, the views are breathtaking in every direction.

Sky Lounge's spacious open-air decks are perfect for leisurely lounging while soaking up the rarefied atmosphere of high-altitude dining. And even when the weather is unsuitable for outdoor unwinding, Sky Lounge's ample windows allow you to enjoy the views from inside. The elegant, spacious interior is divided into a number of smaller areas, creating a sense of cosiness and privacy. There are also special zones for meetings, banquets and VIP guests.

Fittingly for such a high-level restaurant, Sky Lounge offers a menu of haute cuisine. The mouth-watering choices span various international cuisines, with plenty of original fusion creations. How about trying a herbal mix with deer tataki, porcini and artichokes in a truffle sauce? Or perhaps tender ceviche of king scallop and Bluefin tuna with nut sauce and kaiso salad, served on a warm puff pie with Gorgonzola and spicy caramel? Maybe you're also tempted by calf's brains in almond petals and caramelised radish, or can't resist the duck breast with almond cherry sauce and amaretto, served with foie gras and Roquefort cheese apple strudel....

It's so hard to choose when there are so many mouth-watering options. There are seven different types of live oysters, as well as Kamchatka crabs, clams, mussels and scallops for discerning diners who like their seafood as fresh as can be. For fans of Asian stir-fry, there are wok dishes with noodles, while Italian food aficionados are spoiled for choice with pasta and risotto galore. And of course, as is essential in Moscow, there's an extensive selection of sushi and other Japanese fare. It goes without saying that the wine list is also world class.