Situated on the Fontanka River Embankment, close to the back end of Apraksin Dvor market, Kukhnya ("cuisine" in Russian) is probably the best of St. Petersburg's new generation of French bistros. Its interiors are simple but stylish, with bright and attractive traditional decor and a minimum of clutter.
The menu offers a reasonable approximation of Provencal home cooking that drifts occasionally into Italian, with at least some pleasantly individual touches that confirm there is a real chef working in the kitchen. Particularly tempting is the wide range of desserts and patisseries. The set menu lunch is very good value, while prices for entrees on the a la carte menu can get quite high, but only when justified by the ingredients. There's a reasonable selection of wines by the glass, and the whole place has a pleasing air of honest endeavor and good value. Kukhnya hosts regular culinary events, and has good facilities for children.
