Le’Chaim is the only Mehadrin kosher restaurant in St. Petersburg and is conveniently located in the spacious basement of the Grand Choral Synagogue. All of the restaurant’s activities are overseen by the city's Chief Rabbi. The menu combines traditional Ashkenazi, European and contemporary Israeli cuisine. Start off with forshmak (an appetizer made with herring) or potato kugel, followed by baked trout, or chicken and matzo ball soup. The portions are generous, the prices reasonable and the atmosphere quite elegant. Le’Chaim is suitable for Shabbat meals and other celebrations, like a bar or bat mitzva, breakfasts, luncheons and dinners. Eating there is good for your karma points because the restaurant is a non-profit company that sends all proceedings from its activities to charity, such as supporting local Hebrew schools, kindergartens, summer camps and helping the needy.