I first got to know Luigi Magni’s cooking years ago. Katya Pugacheva and I were travelling to different countries then, shaping the idea behind Zhazhda Krovi. Arkady Novikov needs no introduction. This summer, the three of them opened Luigi’s Garden. A terrace full of flowers, right in the centre of Moscow, on a surprisingly quiet street. Modern Italian cooking, thoughtful details and a mood that matters just as much as everything else.
When the long rains arrived, the restaurant moved into a beautiful mansion: tables well spaced out, soft light and room to breathe. It doesn’t feel like Moscow. More like a trip to the countryside. Pots of thyme on the tables, relaxed but professional service, and a chef who moves between the kitchen and the dining room.
The first impression is immediate: whipped brown butter with freshly baked bread gives olive oil a run for its money. I was trying not to drip sauce onto the white tablecloth, and somehow the maestro’s pasta with homemade ricotta and raw egg yolk disappeared before I knew it. Fresh fish ceviche: sharp, balanced and full of life. Dessert felt like a warm memory from my mother’s kitchen.
There are so many personal touches. If you’re offered a tour of the restaurant, say yes. And beneath it all, food that makes you feel at home — and want to come back.
Luigi’s Garden
Address: 15 Trubnikovsky Lane, Building 2.
