Not long ago every Russian had a job. But the new economy has created a whole class of wives who no longer work. These moneyed, stylish women with time on their hands have discovered that indulgent afternoon pleasure: the leisurely lunch. The most fashionable spot is Bistrot Garçon, where the French chef prepares melt-in-your-mouth terrines, fresh pastas, fanciful salads, and such luxurious treats as duck fillets with lime and lavender honey. Lunch, $150. At 95 Nevsky Prospekt; 7-812/717-2467; garcon.ru. —M.A.B.
Stranded at 2 a.m. Few sights in St. Petersburg are as unforgettable and romantic as the drawbridges rising over the Neva River. Between 1:30 and 2:15 in the morning, about a dozen 19th- and early-20th-century bridges open to let boat traffic through. But this scene does come with a price: Many people end up stuck on one side until the bridges lower, around 5 a.m. While it has long provided a convenient excuse for wayward spouses, most find the situation exasperating. For those who linger too long over their vodka, the only options are the Palace and Tuchkov bridges, which are let down for 20 minutes at approximately 2:45.
