ozstamps, thanks for the info about row 20 on the reconfig 767. ^ When I booked, I chose row 20 for both my IAD-DME & DME-IAD, and was wondering about legroom.

I'm out on the 11th April back on the 12th. By accident had row 20 booked both ways. With luck I will have oz's experience. Not taking a visa either.

Paging Moscow FTers: any thoughts on a DO location?
Reasonably priced, russian or perhaps caucasian (georgian, armenian etc) food somewhere convenient.

I am thinking to have one get together on 5/2 or 5/3 as quite a few of us will be in town but the previous or any other weekend is an option as well.

Posted this below in the Russia section. Dont know where I got it, but I went to one of the places listed below called The Mill. Pretty decent.




There are (at least) two good Georgian restaurants within a reasonable walk of the National. The closest is Genatsvalle, which is located on Ostozhenka in the vicinity of the Christ the Saviour church. The hotel will know it. The other is also on Ostozhenka, but a bit further away. It is called Tiflis. I actually like Tiflis a bit better, but both are good. One item - any really good Georgian restaurant is likely to exceed your $50-$60 budget.
My favorite Russian restaurant is called Glavpivtorg, and is located near the Lubyanka Metro station. Actually, it may be my favorite Moscow restaurant, period - Russian or otherwise. Very tasty dishes - try the pressed chicken (big enough for two) and Borsch. Both are quite good, as well as their home-brewed beers. It is walkable from the National, in maybe 15 minutes. You can easily get your fill there within your budget.
Another good, reasonably-priced Russian place that is more than a little walk (located on the Garden Ring, near Krasnye Vorota Metro) is Na Melnitse (The Mill).
The best Uzbek restaurant in town is called simply, "Uzbekistan." It is well worth a visit, just to taste the plov (saffron rice and lamb) and their baklava (Russians call it Paklava). It might be over your budget by a little, but not too much. It's worth it though. Mmmm.
For a budget Russian meal, eat at one of the many Moo Moo locations around town (spelled My My in Russian). Serving lines (you can simply point at what you want, if you don't speak Russian) and hearty, cheap Russian food make this place worth a stop. There is one on Tverskaya Street, just up from the National, maybe 300 meters, and another on Arbat street.
Also near the National is Kamergersky Pereulok, which is a side street off Tverskaya that has been closed to traffic. This pedestrian street is lined with restaurants of all sorts, but very few ethnic sorts of the type you have mentioned. There are about 3 decent Italian places, at least one Chinese place and a high-end Swiss/European place, called Cafe des Artistes, which is very good, but well beyone your stated budget. Akademia, however, is on this street, and is quite a good, reasonably-priced Italian restaurant.
Another popular ethnic chain around town is Shesh Besh (Azerbaijani). There is one located on Arbat street, which is walkable from the National, but there may be one even closer that I'm just not aware of.
I haven't eaten at any specifically Ukranian places, and most of the people I have asked can't explain the difference between Russian and Ukranian food, but there is a Ukranian chain called Taras Bulba, which has locations around town. One such location is on Pyatnitskaya Street, south of the Kremlin and across the river, which would be a bit of a walk from the National, but if you really have to have your Ukranian...

Glavpivtorg (see above) or Ryumka if they are still open (I haven't been for years but they used to be really really good). The former would suit beer lovers best while the latter is for some serious vodka tasting

Glavpivtorg is right across the street form the old KGB HQ (and is sort of a themed place, like a phantasy replica of a 1950's Soviet nomenklatura hangout - as if there were any). Ryumka is just off Tverskaya a short walk from Pushkin Square.

Hi GreenFireflyer! If you are flying out from IAD on the 23rd, I +1 will be 4 seats behind you -- 24 A/B. I'll say Hi.

[I missed getting row 20. Seats in row 19 were open, but don't think those were good to have --- front of cabin ... seatguru info.]

Hey chanp. How was the trip? Any word on using the express train from DME? Another question: use any dollars there or did they want only roubles?

We are counting on the train to get to St. Petersburg, so if anyone tried it, please post their experience. SpasEba.

The trip was great!. When you get out of customs, you'll go a bit to the left then straight, then left, right, then you'll be at the end of the terminal. Straight ahead are the ticket counters for the Aero Express. Its 200 Roubles (only Roubles). The door s to the train are to the right of the counter. Check out the times of the train. We got there around 515pm and missed the 5pm, waited for the 6pm. It took about 40 mins. Then know what line you need to take here you need to go. The signs for the metro are all in Russian, so you may have a bit of a difficult time. Just study the metro map, look at how many stops you need to get off of. Just ask someone to help you and point to the stop you need to get to, if you get lost.

Bill,(MRWUNRFL) flew there and will be training it back. PM him.

Ok how about 5/2 evening or 5/3 at Glavpivtorg?

Need feedback from those interested who will be there first weekend of may.

I'm in! As long as UA gets me to DME on the 2nd, either evening would be great.

I'll arrive on 5/1 and leave 5/3. Work!
I have the Bolshoi on the evening of 5/2, but can check in on a party before/after or both. Count me in. I'll be at the Holiday Inn Sokolniki.

As chanp mentioned, I flew from Moscow (SVO-1) to St Pete (LED, Pulkovo-1). Took the Moscow metro to the Aeroexpress train to the crappy shuttle bus to get to SVO-1. From LED, took a bus to the SP Metro.

Got a ticket for tomorrow, Thursday, for a train from St Pete to Moscow. Had my hotel front desk call and order it and it was delivered the same day for a 300 ruble fee. There is a fast train dep 4PM that takes 5.5 hours and a faster train (my choice) that departs at 6:30 and takes 4.5 hours. Other than that there are a few local trains every day (8 hours).

Anyone who has been to Moscow already: I read on other websites that some vendors in Russia like the USD ($). Is this true, or should I get out roubles for all purchases (soverniers and such??). Thanks!