Chances are you would never know about this place if you hadn’t just read about it here. At the unmarked black metal gate at number 7 ring the buzzer and ask to go ‘v restoran pozhalusta’. The embassy security will then buzz you in, take your passports and escort you to this quaint basement restaurant themed like a peasant’s home. Moldovan cuisine is a cross between Ukrainian and Romanian making the best choices the ciorba soup or borsch for starters. Mains are generally meaty simple peasant style usually served with a serving of mamalyga and brynza (salty goat’s cheese). The best thing about Casa Mare is the wine -great vintage Moldovan wines all for around 700Rbl a bottle (single glasses not available).

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