After the United Russia congress, President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin decided to have dinner together. They went to the popular restaurant Terrace on Nevsky Prospect, across from the Kazan Cathedral. Diners at the restaurant on Saturday evening were stunned to see the pair enter the hall. However, nobody was staring at the president and prime minister or attempted to talk to them because the patrons of this restaurant are respectable people and the residents of St Petersburg are tactful and reserved in general. Medvedev and Putin occupied a table by the window at this Italian restaurant; they both like Italian cuisine. They ordered wine but did not make any toasts. For an hour and a half they discussed a variety of subjects. They also joked and laughed a lot. The two were in a good mood that evening, perhaps influenced by the music or by the party congress.
After dinner, Medvedev headed for the airport and Putin remained in the city to attend other events on Monday.
Larisa Kaftan