When Elena suggested that we start the evening at 10PM I was somewhat surprised but undeterred because my body was still running on London time - three hours behind Moscow. In 1991 choices for eating out were very limited but the Aragvi, located on Tverskaya street in the city center, had been serving Georgian food to Moscow's elite since the Stalin era and in 1991 was still known to be one of the best restaurants. So, Aragvi it was.

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Elena was what many would consider the quintessential Russian woman - blond, beautiful, and the blue eyed - with a body that some men in Moscow would definitely kill for. We rendezvoused in front of my hotel, the Savoy. She gave me a big hug and we walked out into the snowy night with the undefined purpose of eventually finding our way to the Aragvi. In 1991 the streets of Moscow were very dark and dreary but when you had a lady like Elena holding your arm, you didn't really notice such details.

We finally arrived at the Aragvi at about 11 PM. The entrance was rather ornate, built in a Soviet style that will eventually fade into history. The restaurant hall was also ornate and somewhat subterranean. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was a group of four playing Georgian folk music. I had the required reservation and we were quickly escorted to our table. Mail order bride matchmaking service