Buyan restaurant

Past Buyan IslandTo Saltan’s kingdom…  A marvelous fairy island Buyan being mentioned by Alexander Pushkin in “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” was used as image for the name of the Russian-style restaurant. A fairytale, familiar to everyone from the childhood, where reality and myth are intertwined, and good always triumphs over evil, became the main inspiration for the project.

All interior details are not accidental; from the very entrance they immerse us in a special, wonderful world. The red pattern of the tiles at the entrance presents lots of references to a Russian fairytale and its heroes. Some people will recognize the rosy cheeks of Russian beauties in this well-known element of the ornament, while the others will recall berries or apples.

Guests find themselves on “Buyan Island” with the help of a magical “portal” to a magical world - an impressively sized mirror at the entrance. This is a unique item, piece of art related to Russian history, which was made by a master in SergievPosad from Nizhny Novgorod’s platband dated end of 19th century being more than 3 m high.

Large windows, which reflect the surrounding landscape and the waters of the Yenisei River, create very airy space. Mirrors, used throughout the restaurant, help to create a magical and mysterious feeling. Lamps in the form of windows on the fortress walls, knitted floor lamps and decor evoke memories of the architecture of favorite fairytales cities, while the archs refer to the royal chambers with its feasts and celebrations. Knitted hanging lamps are the domes of the cathedrals of our mythical city. They, like the floor lamps, are handmade by the local craftswomen.

The fancifully shaped fireplace, finished in the style of traditional Russian tiles, is the soul of the restaurant. Smoothly transitioning into the ceiling, it creates unity with the vaulted architecture of the space and symbolizes the hearth around which family and guests gather, and the interior is built. It is unique: very modern, while following the idea of vaults and patterns typical for Russian architecture.

The restaurant space is interesting as well due to its ability for transformation. Using folding partitions, part of the hall is separated into a private area, suitable for small celebrations and family dinners. Light cloth helps to zone the room, whilepanoramic windows create a feeling of complete unity with the surrounding nature. Folding partitions depicting heroes emerging from the sea are based on Ivan Bilibin’s illustrations for “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”

The banquet hall is decorated with a painted ceiling; on the walls and ceiling in the main hall you can also see paintings that refer to the majestic royal chambers. All paintings are done manually using one of the traditional techniques of painting on stucco, which allows the drawings to be “alive”, emphasizing the handicraft of the project. Symbols and floral patterns balance on the verge of traditionally Russian and fairytale motifs, whereas one of the fragments was developed based on the painting in the Pokrovsky Cathedral in Moscow. Due to such a bold combination, we managed to create an atmosphere of solemnity and, at the same time, magic.