Renaissance of Aragvi the Legendary Restaurant

Tashir Group is investing about 260 million rubles in restoration of Aragvi, the legendary restaurant and part of Russian capital’s culture heritage. Restoration works are currently in process with opening scheduled for December, 2013.

Restaurant Aragvi that opened in 1938 at 6 Tverskaya Street, in the house previously occupied by a pre-revolutionary hotel Dresden, is a significant architectural landmark for the city, closely related to the history of Moscow. The famous Moscow restaurant has been carefully restored and renovated since 2005 and is due to open by end of this year. Risont Holding is Aragvi’s management company.

Gayk Ignatyan, Vice President, Tashir Group, notes: “Tashir Holding has gained substantial experience in realization of successful projects in restaurant business, those including a number of networks of various formats and price segments in both Russia and the C.I.S.: theme cafés network Comedy Café, pizzeria network Tashir Pizza; Italian restaurant network Mancho; premium class restaurant network Forbest; Rimskie Kanikuly network, and more. Investments in such an important object will be yet another significant step for us in this direction.”

The renovated Aragvi will have floor space of 1,800 sq m and 12 theme halls on two storeys. All of the halls will retain their historical planning within the original architectural solution.

While working on Aragvi, 17th century spaces have been discovered. Those are now being scientifically renewed and decorated according to the period, with careful restoring and regaining of the remaining wall paintings. So-called Russian halls will be painted according to the fragment of a grass décor that has survived on one of the walls, and the fragment itself, having a special historical value, will be kept intact.

When Aragvi opens again, guests will be treated to this extraordinary historical gem. The restaurant façade will also keep its historical look. Repairs are being implemented under control of Moscow Cultural Heritage Department professionals.

“We are proud to be part of a large team of specialists working on the capital's cultural heritage conservation. Being a keeper of ancient cuisine traditions, the renewed Aragvi will become Moscow’s gastronomical pride,” said Karen Nagapetyan, Deputy General Director, Management Company Risont Holding.

The new Aragvi will offer its guests both traditional Caucasian dishes and their modern interpretation with original solutions by Pier Bussetti, Michelin-starred Italian brand chef.

History highlights

Since 1830s, this place at Tverskaya Street had been occupied by Dresden hotel, until a century later, in 1938, Aragvi restaurant was built here. Being one of the best Soviet restaurants, Aragvi became a favorite place of the Moscow's artistic world. Here, in the very centre of Moscow, at 6 Tverskaya Street, the beautiful house hosted famous politicians and actors, poets and diplomats, officials, foreigners, and many more.

About Tashir Group

Developing its own restaurant network became one of Tashir Group’s first business lines. Today, the Holding company manages several networks of various formats and price segments, incl. pizzeria network Tashir Pizza, Italian restaurant networks Mancho and Rimskie Kanikuly, network of beer restaurants Merzen, Dolina Solnca restaurant, and premium class restaurant network Forbest.