The elegant restaurant Russian Samovar is unique in its long-standing ties with the art community, and has become a home for many famous Russian poets and writers who keep coming back for the exceptional dining experience. Owned by Roman Kaplan and managed by his daughter Vlada Von Shats and her two sons Michael and Nicholas, Russian Samovar offers some of the finest Russian cuisine in New York.
Enjoy an authentic Russian lunch in the 19th-century feel dining room, complete with picturesque green and red shades and Russian folk prints, conveniently located in the Theater District. For only $19.99, patrons can enjoy a 2-course lunch, Tues – Fri 12:00pm until 3:00pm. Starters include the traditional Russian beet soup Borscht and Chicken Frikadelki Soup with chicken meatballs and vegetables in a traditional chicken broth. Mains include Potato Vereniki (potato dumplings served with sour cream), Pelmeni (chicken and veal combination dumplings) and Grilled Chicken Shashlik (marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, served with salad or grilled vegetables).
Russian Samovar was previously co-owned by ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov and Nobel Prize winner for poetry Joseph Brodsky. Jilly Rizzo, friend and bodyguard of Frank Sinatra, owned the establishment in the past, and Sinatra held many personal concerts there and often spent time with The Rat Pack, playing games of baccarat in the upstairs lounge. Cyndi Lauper and Liza Minnelli are also known to stop by and offer the odd performance. The restaurant keeps attracting several generations of Russians. In a cozy atmosphere they can eat their favorite Russian food, meet musicians, actors and writers from Russia and all over the world.
This upscale eatery is—aside from its authentic Russian dishes—known for its 26 flavored vodkas prepared in-house, including ginger, horseradish, lemon and cranberry. Delectable appetizers include Beluga and Osetra caviar, Blinis filled with salmon or caviar, the Assorted Fish Platter (in-house cured Salmon Gravlax with dill, Smoked Atlantic Salmon and Smoked Butterfish), Vol-au-Vent (a wild mushroom puff pastry), and Pate Russe laced with brandy.
It is its signature entrees, however, that have put Russian Samovar on the culinary map. House specialties include Shashlik Karski (rack of lamb marinated in Georgian spices), Beef Stroganoff, Veal Pozharksi (ground veal and breast of chicken cutlets),Chicken Kiev, and Chicken Tabaka, a baby chicken split and grilled. Side dishes, such as buckwheat kasha, boiled or mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables, compliment the succulent entrees. For dessert, diners can relish in the Zapekanka (Russian cheesecake), the Soviet inspired Crème Brûlée, or the Medovik (layered honey cake), just to name a few.
FIND OUT EVERYTHING: http://WWW.RUSSIANSAMOVAR.COM
Russian Samovar Restaurant & Piano Bar
256 West 52nd Street (At 8th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
212-757-0168