Think having a cup of tea at 5 o’clock at London historic setting is solidly tourists’ must-do experience? Not any longer! The popularity of the British tradition has seen a colossal rise in a recent year. Afternoon tea has become such big business for London leading hotels and restaurants that they hardly cope with demand. More and more world business leaders in all industries are choosing to hold meetings over tea as a stylish and relaxed alternative to the power breakfast or lengthy dinner. Demand for afternoon tea in Moscow restaurants is huge too, at the moment it is more popular then ever. The tradition slightly adapted to Russian gastronomic preferences is set to live on. Many restaurants and hotels in capital have started serving afternoon tea and keen on creating a memorable guest experience.

The fashion carousel is already turning at full speed in Moscow as two separate fashion weeks have started this week in Russian Capital. These are Volvo Fashion Week Moscow and recently rebranded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia.Like India, Brazil, Iceland and many other burgeoning fashion countries, Russia is seeking its style-stake in the global market.

An Italianate mansion on Russia’s Black Sea coast, known as Putin’s Palace, has apparently been sold to entrepreneur Aleksandr Ponomarenko in the capacity of a hotel complex, the Kommersant business daily reports. The deal is allegedly worth $ 350 million. The luxury palace was secretly owned by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, according to the the Ruleaks website – the Russian equivalent of the whistleblower website WikiLeaks. Putin himself denies that he ever owned it.

There’s nothing like passing away a few hours enjoying a good nosh and sipping an espresso in your favourite cafe. Russian capital boasts hundreds of coffee shops and cafes to choose from. Here is the list of top coffee shops in Moscow that offer the finest espresso and espresso-based beverages. Take your pick.

Russia! Magazine (an independent English-language glossy published by Press Release Group) has published the rating of the biggest scandals on the Russian art market at the beginning of 21st century.

The scandals include fraud and theft, the ownership of wartime spoils, conflicts between the church and society, battles among oligarchs and multi-million dollar corruption.

Last night saw the dazzling supermodel Natalia Vodianova bring her annual Naked Heart Charity Gala to Moscow – supported by Harper’s Bazaar magazine and Guerlain- and get the great and the gorgeous together for a night to remember. It was particularly notable due to the fact that the Naked Heart Foundation was celebrating its 5th Anniversary.

The Fine Art Auction House Christie’s is preparing to demonstrate the most expensive lots of its forthcoming Russian Art sale at Christie’s London. The highlight of its Moscow exhibition will be Ilya Repin’s masterpiece, ‘A Parisian Café’. Painted in Paris in 1875, the painting has never before been exhibited in Russia. This monumental canvas, arguably the most important work by the artist not held in a museum collection, has remained in a distinguished private collection since 1916. This summer it will appear at Christie’s auction in London as the top lot at a record-breaking estimate of $ 5,000,000-8,000,000.

The Fine Art Auction House Christie’s is preparing to demonstrate the most expensive lots of its forthcoming Russian Art sale at Christie’s London. The highlight of its Moscow preview will be Ilya Repin’s masterpiece, ‘A Parisian Café’.

Painted in Paris in 1875, the painting has never before been exhibited in Russia.

The best lobster restaurants in Moscow can be found throughout the capital. From oyster and other shells bars to red lobster specialists if you are a crustacean’s lover you will be spoilt for choice. Haute Living’s pick of the best lobster restaurants include celebrity favourites for romantic meals out and restaurants which welcome larger groups. Take your pick.

A high profile auction ‘Stars of the World to Children of Russia’ held in the Concert Hall Moscow over the weekend gathered the most powerful and influential Russian philanthropists. Among the special invitees at the gala was Hollywood actress Michelle Rodriguez, the star of Avatar and “Lost.” The aim of the charity event was to raise money to foster the talents of extraordinary orphans overcoming adversity throughout Russia. The auction became a perfect opportunity for those invited to make a personal contribution for the good cause.