Jack and Chan
The restaurant’s punning name reads in Russian as Jackie Chan, encapsulating that Asian and American cuisines are to be found on the menu at this chilled and chic restaurant. “Jack and Chan” does not deal in American-Asian fusion food, but the menu includes dishes from both sides of the Pacific Ocean. However it’s the Asian cuisine which really packs a punch.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
As far as choice on the menu is concerned, the American options only consist of two burgers and a New York cheesecake. Once you scan the menu, you could easily think that you are eating in a solely Asian restaurant with a few token American add-ons. Having eaten the beef burger with bacon and cheddar cheese, all I can really say is that it was decent, but nothing special. If you feel a crippling craving for a burger, a Jack and Chan burger will be sufficient, but won’t be a big enough hit to fully satisfy your hunger. The Idaho style chips were seasoned well, but my only complaint is that there weren’t enough on the plate; in this instance I was lucky that I had ordered a starter.
It is definitely the Asian cuisine on the menu at Jack and Chan that strikes the right note. There is a multitude of choice from Asian pumpkin soup and tom yum with seafood and chicken, to noodle and rice based dishes covering a whole range of different flavour combinations from various regions in Asia. I recommend starting your meal with the vegetable spring rolls which are served hot with soy sauce to take the edge off the heat. Follow this with either the prawn, mango and avocado salad with glass noodles or the Singapore noodles with chicken and vegetables. If you have room for dessert, try the New York cheesecake to add some American indulgence to your meal.
You can either choose to sit in the stylish, café-meets-cocktail bar front room, which looks out onto Inzhenernaya ulitsa, a great choice for those who like to people-watch. The second room is not as comfortable and the white-tiled graffiti stained wall seems out of place as the rest of the restaurant exudes understated chic. The staff are friendly, attentive and provide an efficient service. You won’t have to empty your pockets or purse as most main courses cost between 290-330 roubles.
If you’re hungry for well-prepared, delicious yet inexpensive Asian cuisine in the centre of St. Petersburg, head over to Jack and Chan on Inzhenernskaya ulitsa.
http://jack-and-chan.com/
