RICE

Volgograd was built at the intersection of trade routes from north to south and from west to east. So it’s small wonder that the local cuisine incorporated dishes from all parts of the world. Today, the city’s restaurants uphold centuries-old traditions.

Average bill: PPPP

Cuisine: Japanese/Chinese/Italian/European/Pan-Asian

Tel.: [phone]

Open: Monday-Thursday, Sunday 11 am-2am; Friday-Saturday 11 am-7 am

The Fan Fest area on the 62^nd Army Embankment is expecting to welcome up to 15,000 visitors on the days of World Cup matches. Just 500 meters away there is the Rice, a restaurant with 127 indoor seats and summer terraces for 70 guests.

The restaurant offers an international menu. Italian cuisine is represented by almost twenty varieties of pizza. Do try "derevenskaya" or rustic pizza recommended by the chefs: the traditional ingredients — thin dough with raised edges, bacon and mozzarella — are nicely complemented by smoked chicken, onion chips, boiled potatoes and kebab sauce. The large and hearty pizza is big enough for two.

An interesting example of European cuisine is roast beef salad: thinly sliced marble beef, tomatoes, grilled sweet pepper and marinated red onions with a honey-citrus dressing and spicy Sriracha sauce.

Sushi and cold and hot rolls are available for lovers of Japanese cuisine. If you ask a waiter to recommend something, the likeliest reply will be "a duo roll with salmon and eel." Besides fish, the recipe also includes chopped surimi meat, green asparagus and onions and a couple of sauces.