Russian Tea Time, Chicago’s Ukranian-Founded Restaurant Landmark, Targeted With Misguided Scorn | Eater Chicago

"A 29-year-old Eastern European landmark in the Loop, Russian Tea Time has been inundated with angry calls and social media messages that wrongly link the restaurant to Vladimir Putin’s invasion; I report that co-founder Vadim Muchnik, a Ukrainian American who opened it with his mother in 1993 and remains a minority owner says the deluge has left him afraid for staff—some of whom are from Ukraine—and worried about rising xenophobic sentiment. The restaurant has tried to distance itself, posting a pro‑Ukrainian message on Feb. 25 stating it does not support the policies of the Russian government and expressing support for human rights, free speech, and fair democratic elections, yet Russian restaurants nationwide continue to face vandalism, canceled reservations, and negative online reviews." - Naomi Waxman