January 23, 2019

Piter's People – Natalia Kapiturova


Piter's People – Natalia Kapiturova
Natalia Kapiturova in TCHK, her favorite cofeeshop. Elena Bobrova

Readers meet regular St. Petersburgers, to learn about their lives and their favorite places in the Northern Palmyra. First up: coffee! Elena Bobrova talked with food-journalist and PR-manager Natalia Kapiturova. They met up at TCHK Coffee on the Petrograd Side.

Natalia, tell us your story.

I graduated from the history department at St. Petersburg State University, but never worked as a historian. Still, I’ve got a good humanitarian grounding, which enabled me to become a PR-manager, journalist, and copywriter. I mostly work in the sphere of gastronomy and food journalism. I started as a waitress, bartender, manager and then did public relations for several restaurants and cafes. These days I do more copywriting, as I’m eager to write more.

I picked this place, because the Petrograd Side (Петроградская сторона – an island located north of Peter and Paul Fortress and birthplace of the city) is my first love. I passed this area on my way to the university, and my first serious jobs were located here. For four years I had been living on Vasilievsky Island, but still I dream that one day our family will move here.

I came to TCHK Coffee Shop almost right after they opened. It was the summer of 2016 and at that time my daughter wasn’t yet able to walk yet, yet still she managed to stand up near the fridge and stare at the deserts. When I saw this café on someone’s Instagram, I immediately fell in love with the cute fairytale house. On the one hand, it’s very European, but on the other, it is very typical for St. Petersburg – as there is no sign and you have to find it by going though a second yard. 

TCHK coffee shop
The coffee shop is located on Ulitsa Mira, 11, go inside the arch and then to the second yard. / Elena Bobrova

I come here at least 2 times a month because of excellent coffee, tasty cakes and very good team. I think my profession determined that I would value the people who stayed with the project. I feel very welcome here, we chat like friends, talk about life, they see my daughter growing.   

 

Where do you find more good coffee in St. Petersburg?

My second favorite place is Смена (Smena, "Change") on Baskov Lane. They have a very special atmosphere there, which is hard to describe. It's better just to come and feel it - how they care about you and react to situations, for example, if your kid breaks a vase there (this happened to me). And I absolutely love their weekend breakfasts, as every week they prepare a new set of treats. 

I also love all places created by the duo of Nikolai Gotko and Nikolai Yalansky, who carried out a sort of “affordable coffee” revolution in St. Petersburg. In 2012 they opened their first venue - Больше кофе! (More Coffee!) in the grotto of Alexander Park. Espresso there cost 43 rubles ($0.65) back then [today it is 55 rubles – 83 cents) and people were shocked, as it was a decent quality drink. They were the first to promote alternative ways of making coffee and today have five places in the city. I often go to Кофе на кухне (Coffee in the Kitchen) on the Fontanka River, as my husband works near there. There is good book store, “Poryadok slov,” right next door, so it’s perfect combination for me.

Addresses:

  • TCHK Coffee Shop – Ulitsa Mira, 11, go inside the arch and then to the second yard. 
  • Smena Café – Baskov Pereulok, 20.
  • “Bolshe kofe!” (More Coffee!) – Aleksandrovsky park, inside historical grotto near Gorkovskaya metro station.
  • Kofe na kukhne (Coffee in the Kitchen) – Fontanka river embankment, 17.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
Russia Rules

Russia Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.
The Samovar Murders

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  
The Moscow Eccentric

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.
The Latchkey Murders

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...
22 Russian Crosswords

22 Russian Crosswords

Test your knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and society with these 22 challenging puzzles taken from the pages of Russian Life magazine. Most all the clues are in English, but you must fill in the answers in Russian. If you get stumped, of course all the puzzles have answers printed at the back of the book.

The Entire Series

Piter's People – Natalia Kapiturova

Piter's People – Natalia Kapiturova

A project in which readers meet regular St. Petersburgers, to learn about their lives and their favorite places in the Northern Palmyra. First up: coffee!
Piter's People – Nikolay Predtechensky

Piter's People – Nikolay Predtechensky

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 as a port on the Baltic Sea, and about 10% of its surface area is water. So we meet a boat rental company owner and find out the best place for pizza in the city.
Piter's People - Katya Kotlyar

Piter's People - Katya Kotlyar

Graphic designer, traveler, instagram explorer, Katya Kotlyar knows her home city inside out, and sees it as an artist would, as a beautiful backdrop for living.
Piter's People – Sergey Goorin

Piter's People – Sergey Goorin

St. Petersburg is often thought to be a gray city, as it only has about 75 sunny days each year. Still, photographer Segrey Goorin finds inspiration here for his black and white photography, capturing street life, extraordinary locals and numerous parties.   
Piter's People - Ekaterina Khozatskaya

Piter's People - Ekaterina Khozatskaya

Ekaterina is an artist who is constantly sketching in St. Petersburg bars. Her hobby led to the creation of the Instagram blog “Between the Bars,” where she captures the city's bohemian atmosphere.
Piter's People coping with Coronavirus

Piter's People coping with Coronavirus

Given all that has been going on, we thought it would be a good time to check in with some of the people we have profiled in Piter's People and see how they are doing.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955