Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar

Food was delicious. My first time trying Russian food. I loved the beet salad & the smoked salmon wrapped in crepes. I’d definitely recommend these dishes. They had a gypsy dancing & someone singing. It’s very authentic & culture is truly kept. I tend to love very contemporary modern spaces with multicultural crowds but it was nice to experience this traditional ambiance. It definitely had its niche. If you’re looking for authentic delicious fresh Russian food, atmosphere & ambiance, I’d recommend.

I love when the people who work at an ethnic restaurant speak and know the culture of the cuisine. So true with Russian Samovar. The evening jazz band was a bonus to our dining experience. We had the borscht and wild mushroom soup accompanied by two chicken dishes and cherry dumplings for dessert. All were tasty!

I’ve visited Russian Samovar a few times, and each visit has been an absolute delight. The restaurant offers authentic and delicious Russian cuisine, paired with excellent service. The live music in the evenings adds a special charm, making the experience truly memorable. Situated in the heart of NYC’s Theater District, this historic spot has hosted many distinguished guests over the years. I look forward to seeing the team continue their great work!

Ridiculously overpriced for what it is. Left 200$ for a small and average tasting meal. Menu prices are actually higher at the restaurant than they show online. There was nothing "fine" about this dining experience, zero presentation effort either. We appreciate history, but c'mon, 16$ for a small borscht without meat? Crazy. Never again. PS: washrooms leave much to be desired. There was no live music when we were there.

The atmosphere is quite Russian and the food is delicious. However, the taste is not original- golubtsi and pirogi are very fatty and do not taste as should. The piano performance was good. Be careful is the female WC - lockers can get stuck.

This place is wonderful! The dinner was perfect and authentic... The live entertainment was superb, and the staff was warm and attentive. another great Must when visiting NYC!

Stepping into this place was like a nostalgic journey back to the Soviet Union era, complete with samovars, red leather chairs, and metal cup holders. The food had a delightful homemade quality to it. While the prices were a tad on the higher side, it almost felt like they were factoring in the cost of a 'time travel ticket' – they even charged $8 for a cup of hot water! 😧 The service was efficient, though initially, we had a fleeting feeling of being uninvited guests upon our arrival.

I've been here many times over several years. Excellent ambiance and food. The service is cordial and usually good, though occasionally it can be slow and disorganized. But even then with a bit of effort it works out. The short ribs are my favorite, the best I've had anywhere. The Olivier salad is excellent. But what makes the experience extra special is the beautiful and amazingly talented pianist. The flavored vodkas are not to be missed.

I've been to this restaurant twice this year. Both times the experience was wonderful. The food is delicious - highly recommend the duck, beef stroganoff, Olivier salad and Pirozhok. The musicians playing there are excellent too.

One of the most delightful and memorable meal experiences I've ever had in Manhattan, 12/10 recommend! Moon was the absolute BEST, warmest host. The food was flavorful and cooked to perfection, excellent portion sizes (not too much, not too little), and the ambiance is cozy, nostalgic and can I say cozy again? Plus the live music, which lent the finishing touch to a perfect night. We came with a group of 11 and sampled half the food menu and all of the infused vodkas. NOTHING disappointed, and we fell in love with the place and the people. The service was everything you want -- attentive, never neglectful, and served up with a fabulous sense of humor, candor and thoughtfulness. It wasn't until after our visit that I knew the history of the place, and that just adds to the warm charm. I'll be making it a point to come here on every future visit to the city, and can't recommend it highly enough. Go!

This Russian piano restaurant is an absolute gem for a lively and unforgettable night out. The live music is a highlight, filling the space with energy and charm, and the atmosphere feels like a celebratory escape. The flavored alcohol shots are incredible--garlic shots were a surprising favorite--and paired perfectly with the delicious, hearty food. The vintage-style ambiance adds character, and while it might feel a bit old-fashioned to some, it adds to the restaurant's unique charm for those who love a nostalgic vibe. The service can be a bit chaotic, but it actually contributes to the lively, anything-can-happen energy of the place. If you're looking for a fun and memorable venue for team events or group gatherings, this spot is a fantastic choice. The combination of music, flavors, and an interactive dining experience makes it a must-visit!

Exceptional classic Russian cuisine with the best homemade flavored vodkas in every flavor imaginable. Love the cranberry, lemon and ginger and the ability to choose your own sampler of 6. Food varies from the Russian classics to more continental options. You'll find a variety of caviar, fish, meats and blinis, pelmeni and vareniki (vegetarian potato dumplings). Atmosphere is great with live music at night and special performances. Always enjoy the relaxed and non-rushed service or a quick pre- theater bite.

This is my most favorite place I have ever been to in New York! First off, the service was amazing! All the employees were super nice, fun, and helpful. The restaurant has a great old school feel and the overall atmosphere was excellent. The live music good and not intrusive. All the other patrons were friendly as well. The food was great, I had the Chicken Shashlik and for an appetizer my friend and I shared the Khachapuri. The best part of course was the vodka. I think we ended up trying every single infusion they had. So many interesting ones to try. Don't be scared, just try them!!

I think to myself Where would artik & asti down infused vodka shots in the city?! I'm confident they would be here. Seriously, the sheer variety of infused vodka is something to admire. It's impossible to have a bad sip when you put the amount of care into flavorful vodka, both in the flavor profiles and the diffusion time like Russian Samovar does. I'm coming back to try the full appetizer and entree menu soon!! Only reason I didn't eat anything last time is because I was pregaming Atera and didn't wanna spoil my appetite. If you want to test yourself like an Eastern European pop star, come here and let loose!!

If you're a huge fan of Sex and the City, DO NOT miss out on this amazing spot in Hells Kitchen. This is featured in the last season of the original show, and after visiting, we had to watch the episode! My friend brought me here after our play ended as I was feeling a bit peckish. The place is an icon in the city, it's open until 4 am, and it's a big old party. There's live music a la piano, trumpet, flute. We walked in around 11 pm and the party was just getting started. You do walk downstairs as it's in the basement, it's not an elegant place, it's like in the middle between a dive bar and a white table cloth old school restaurant. I loved the ginger vodka cocktail, it came with an amazing ginger candy and the ginger really helped sooth travel stomach. We shared a Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) - but it was more like a quesadilla and didn't have the boat with a whole stick of butter you're used to seeing. I loved it. We also got cherry vareniki, a cherry dumpling served with sour cream. And to double up on the cherries we got a cherry tea that they serve with jam! Such a delight and authentic Russian experience. Fun fact: A samovar is a metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water. There's quite a few of them around the restaurant. I wanted to go back the next trip but my other friend didn't want to, so I will be sure to go back for a full dinner!

This restaurant was near our hotel, so we went there for dinner without any expectations, and we left absolutely delighted! The live music, with guitar and violin, was amazing! The gypsy dances reminded me of Russian TV series from my childhood. The design and interior of the restaurant felt like old-fashioned Moscow taverns. The desserts were delicious, not overly sweet. The dumplings were too greasy for me because of the fried onions and mushrooms; I would order them without the topping next time. I would happily come back!

My husband and I had dinner at Russian Samovar last month after a matinee play in the Theater District. I'd wanted to go for a while (I love Russian food), and I'm so glad we were finally able to visit. We shared several dishes: salmon blini, pelmeni with Beef Stroganoff, Russian Salad Trio (Olivier, Vinegret, Shuba), and Seafood Blinchiki, Everything was really good! I'd happily order any of these dishes again. We also had a few cocktails: a Borschtini, a Soviet Standard, and a Smoke & Fire - all of them were good as well. The service was great, and the ambiance is top notch (lit up with red lighting and every space covered with art and photographs!). It's also a piano bar, and the pianist was wonderful and played through our whole meal! Totally added to the mood. My only complaints are that I wish I'd come hungrier. I wanted to stay and listen to music and drink vodka and vodka cocktails for hours! A great meal near the theaters of Broadway!

The food is simply outstanding! Every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and traditional Russian flair, from the savory borscht with a perfect dollop of sour cream to the rich, tender Beef Stroganoff and perfectly cooked pelmeni. Don't skip the blini with caviar or the cake for dessert - they're simply divine. Each dish offers an authentic taste of Russia, with flavors that are unique. Service overall great quick sitting once you walk inside without appointment! Ambience outstanding with live piano great night!

What what a freaking treat this place was. One of my employees who has a Russian background suggested we visit Russian Samovar restaurant, saying that the food was fantastic, and that the entertainment was just as good. We took her up on her advice (and actually drug her along for the experience), and we were super pleased! It was everything she led us to think it would be. I'll start with the food and drink. We tried some very cliché Russian dishes such as Chicken Kiev and Beef Stroganoff. Dishes I've had many times in other restaurants. However, the renditions of these classic Russian dishes were utterly mouthwatering. I could not believe how different and yummy these tasted in comparison to the versions I've had in "American" restaurants. It blew my mind! And, of course, to drink, we had vodka, vodka, vodka! We had vodka, shots infused with different things, such as garlic, lemon, cranberry, etc. And we had drinks made with vodka like Espresso Martinis. In other words, we had a lot of vodka! The service at Samovar was also spot on! I believe our waiter's name was Moon. He was certainly a gem! Lastly, I'll mention the entertainment. On the night we went, Samovar featured some talented pianists who also serenaded us. And, later in the evening, came dancers who performed traditional Russian dances to traditional Russian folk music. It was certainly a treat! Final thoughts: I would return to Russian Samore at any time! In fact, I can't wait to schedule my next outing there!

Pozharsky and Honey Layered Cake. . First time dining Russian fare and this spot set the bar. Authentic vibe and our server was great. Definitely would come back here when I'm back in the city.

Leaving a negative star .. made reservations and never got to dine lol.. we were never told of a "renovation" at 10 pm and so we were out of luck to get a secured reservation. We were told they notified us..

what an amazing place with a very fun atmosphere! we did karaoke until 2am, are great food, and had amazing drinks! shout out to max and moon for being so welcoming and fun! 10 out of 10 recommend!

Came here for our anniversary on 09/12/2023 - Strike one they did not acknowledge it or say goodbye to us when leaving. Two the bathroom downstairs seriously needs updating. Old drop ceiling boards were terrible with brown water leaks in the bathroom. The food was phenomenal from start to finish we have no single complaint!!! Pelmeni so good!!! Stuffed cabbage my husband loved it - For appetizer we had the salmon blini and that did not disappoint - Please do order the honey cake - I doubted it at first but it tasted fresh soft, moist and cozy . Need to have that with a cappuccino and you will be on cloud nine - I sure was

On Saturday 11/9 we went to Russian Samovar in early afternoon and I had a medical emergency. The staff were amazing!! Helpful and caring. Unfortunately we were not able to stay and enjoy a meal but plan to the next time we are in NYC. I want to thank everyone who was there. Thank you, Thank you Thank you!!

This was my first experience of Russian food. Everything was so delicious! I ate so fast that I forgot to take a photo of my food beforehand! I highly highly recommend!

This is unbelievably good, authentic Russian cooking at its very best. A little jazzed up for New York but it's taking simple peasant food and turning it into restaurant worthy, amazingly delivered good food. The chicken Kiev alone steals the show. There something heartwarming, and hearty about Russian food and when I say simple, I don't mean it in a negative way, but in a way that is uncomplicated and focuses on the different elements of each ingredient. This restaurant has gotten it right. The background piano music is a fabulous addition to the ambience of a very old world old school environment and I love it. There is absolutely nothing to criticize in this restaurant. If I were to be hypocritical, I would ask them to please straighten their photos and their pictures and their mirrors because it drives me crazy . The Moscow Mule, and the Soviet something or other the martini are out of this world. Apparently it's called the Soviet standard and it's made with cucumber infused vodka . A well prepared drink speaks to an establishment that takes its drinks seriously and a bartender who is flawless in his execution of signature drinks. Going back to food , the seafood blinchiki deserves a separate mention . It deserves to stand in the center of the podium on its own for my description .It's a cacophony of incredible music, notes and happy noises in my mouth. The seafood is soft, buttery, perfectly cooked and encased in a soft feathery blini served in a white delicate sauce of some kind of other that makes me want to volunteer to work in the kitchen so I could learn the secrets. The seafood blanch cheeky is a sophisticated medley of the most . I got so excited about the food that I forgot to mention the service, which is just so superfluous in its execution. It makes you feel as if the whole restaurant is here to cater to your needs. Please come by and see Alena. She's extremely knowledgeable about the menu and knows the dishes and the portion sizes and is able to guide people who are not familiar with Russian food through the menu and through the types of foods that one should order together. The service is outstanding. The only thing I can say anything bad about is crooked pictures on walls- it drives me nuts

This is real food, with no pretense. Down to earth. We have now had delivery from Russian Samovar a few times and the food has been perfect. What we have loved, The Khachapuri (Cheese Bread), Gribnoi Soup (Wild Mushroom & Barley Soup), Eggplant Caviar Salad, Medovik - Layerd Honey Cake, Foraged Mushrooms and Potatoes. These are all vegetarian, as we are. Very well done. Oh and the portions are huge!

I have been coming to Russian Samovar for over 20 years and tonight was the absolute best experience ever. we came with family to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday and we could not have had a more joyous and fun filled experience. from the moment we came in and were greeted by Moon Sheffield the senior host and waiter it was like being with old friends again. The food was all excellent and the appetizers came out very quickly. we ordered all the main courses knowing the kitchen was busy and the service was times absolutely perfectly for our party of 12. and the vodka! oh the vodka. Raspberry and Pineapple was blended perfectly. we ended the evening with delicious Napoleans and cherry tea. the floor show entertainment was lively and had the whole restaurant singing and dancing. Russian Samovar is simply one of the best, unique, and entertaining bars and restaurants in all of New York City. if you are not afraid of loud and lively entertainment while eating authentic Russian cuisine and are looking for a special place for two or a large party, Russian Sanovar is THE PLACE. much love and gratitude, Jeff Parness (aka "Jack")

Delicious. I recommend the Chicken Kiev, I crave it sometimes. So many delightful treats. Staff is helpful in picking something out. Dark, cozy, romantic, intimate. I can't really imagine bringing a very young child there because they might get antsy but I don't think it would disturb anyone because the piano drowns out surrounding noises and conversations. Try their infused vodkas! Ooo, bathrooms are on lower floor and I'm unsure if it's suitable for someone in a wheelchair or cane. You'll have to call and ask.

Whimsical spot with authentic if underwhelming food which is redeemed by a unique vibe which will immerse you in a culture we are otherwise underexposed to. I have been here 3-4 times and had the most fun when coming later in the evening to catch the musical acts. The live music and dancing are the main reason to come here. The acts are vibrant, energetic, and culturally rich (with strong Russian as well as Romani roots). The Slavic flair extends to the waitstaff as well and gives the feeling of visiting a foreign but welcoming place. The menu features characteristic Russian fare including vareniki, vinegret, olivye, chicken kiev, blintzes, cow tongue, and more. All of the items pair well with vodka which is no surprise. However, I would not come here for the food alone as other spots, especially in Queens, have tastier food for much better prices. I myself grew up eating this food which may be why I am so scrutinous - it is still very fun to bring the uninitiated here to try items like holodetz (chicken jello). Of course, many are drawn here for the vodka. Unfortunately I did not like most of the infused vodkas. The flavors were too strong (especially garlic and horseradish) and the vodka itself felt like a cheap option. I was also unimpressed by the cocktails. Overall, while I was not impressed with the food or drinks, there is something magnetic about this place which earns it 4 stars and my repeat patronage.

The food was ok. But I LOVED the horseradish infused vodka shots. You can check in and get one free!

The food was great! The vibes were amazing! And Moon was the best possible host ever! We thoroughly enjoyed the experience

Fantastic place for fine dining on the northwest edge of the theater district. As advertised, the focus is on Russian (or adjacent) food, but it's not all about beets and potatoes and pickled bits and horseradish and sour cream. While you can delve into some deeply ethnic tastes, a more straightforward meat and potatoes guy like me could do fine with ... well, meat and potatoes. In my case, I had a Georgian savory spiced cheesy bread as a starter (Khachapuri), and then delightfully spiced, grilled lamb lollypops (Karski) which were fantastic, wrapping things up with a lovely apple strudel. Other dishes varied from traditional (Chicken Kiev, Beef Stroganoff) to many others items that I look forward to trying on future visits. Desserts again run the gamut from common to regional, but everyone enjoyed what they got. Drink-wise, the big focus is on vodka, and you can do shots, flights, or just quantities from glasses to carafes. They do a lot of infused vodkas, too, from common (vanilla, cinnamon) to less common (garlic, pepper, horseradish). There's also a variety of cocktails, wines, and beers. Yum. Service was a bit mixed -- things felt slow coming to the table, nobody appeared to ask if we wanted another drink over the entree, and it took them three tries to get me sugar for my coffee. The pianist providing background music was also net-net not a positive contribution. But overall -- and with a hefty check -- the meal was a great success, and we will definitely plan on returning on a future visit to NYC.

I came here with 2 friends for dinner. The interior has an old world style with red walls, cute little lamps on the tables, art and photographs of individuals of Russian descent, booth seating and a lovely piano. The lights are low and the place has a grown up feel. I was trying to decide between the Salmon or Short Rib. Finally, I went with the Kulebyaka, which is Salmon Filet with vegetables and herbs wrapped in a puff pastry because it seemed like the more unique option. This looked pretty impressive and was accompanied with a tasty, savory sauce. The puff pastry was delightfully buttery, with a nice crispness to it. The salmon was wonderfully tender, satisfyingly flaky, with plenty of flavorful herbs mixed with the veggies, which gave a fresh element to the dish. My friends ordered the Beef Stroganoff, and the beef in mushroom cream sauce was served separately from the noodles. I wasn't that impressed, as I thought the beef and sauce both lacked flavor. After the meal, we all got the Russian Samovar Tea and shared the Medovik, which is Honey Cake. The tea came with whole cherry preserves and lemon. I really enjoyed the taste and added both cherry preserves, as well as lemon to it. The cherry added a deep sweetness to the tea and I also ate the preserves by themselves. They were simply addicting. The layered honey cake was decent, but kind of different from what I was expecting. There wasn't that much honey essence. During our meal, there was a live performance of talented dancers and piano playing. It was a great bonus to be able to see this. Service was solid. Our waitress was personable and everything came out in a timely manner. She even allowed us to have 3 free vodka shots even though the Yelp check in offer was only for 1 shot. The pricing is standard for the area. I would possibly return to try the Braised Short Rib and Poached Pear.

We came here on a Saturday night in a group of 6. Their service was very good. Food quality was also good and the ambiance was amazing. There was music and dancing and just a fun atmosphere.

Food is authentic and exceptionally good. Great place for having infused vodka shots (chase it with salo). Inspiring history of the place not to be ignored.

The ambiance is very nice, with live music. The menu has several traditional Russian plates. Service was a little spotty the night we dinned.

Ambiance is very dark, bar-type theme. Enjoyed the piano player who also sang some Russian songs. The food was ok, well-cooked, but not very flavorful. Loved the khachapuri (cheese bread). The eggplant caviar was good. The vareniki were cooked ok but could have used some seasoning-- it's a big portion so you probably can split one order. The Chicken Kiev and the Beef Stroganoff were ok as well, but again, I found it was lacking flavor. The infused vodkas weren't my cup of tea, but others in our group didn't comment on them one way or the other. Service was good, prompt, friendly. I would say the price was high for what you get. Not sure if I'll come back since the cuisine isn't really my preference, but we didn't have a bad experience so if you enjoy Russian food, it might be worth a trip. (Note: the owners support Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war.)

Fresh out of the Michael Jackson Musical, my group and I stumbled into this authentic Russian restaurant led by my Uncle Margaret. She is truly one of a kind. Built like an Italian meatball, she was attempting to Moonwalk while letting out a few "Chamooooone!" as we entered. We sit down, ready to keep the party rolling only to be met with a live piano and cello playing something I have to assume came from Tchaikovsky or some other classical Russian artist. Uncle Margaret tried to request "Beat It" but it turns out it's a bit tough to play on the Cello. Sensing the vibe coming down, Unc proceeds to order 12 shots of vodka for 6 of us, with her being the only one wanting anything to do with a vodka shot. However, to her credit, the vodka was a sampler of 12 different flavors and some of them were HITTIN. They had every flavor from dill pickle to garlic to raspberry. The Russians do not mess around when it comes to vodka. My only experience with flavored vodka before this was Peach New Amsterdam my freshman year of college, and that didn't end well for me. This is a cool spot though!

Russian Samovar was recommended to me by a special Ukrainian friend in San Francisco. He said that it's authentic & famous and that I would enjoy the experience. Reservations were very easy to make (I used the Seated app. Upon checking in via Yelp, I was eligible to receive a free vodka shot! Thanks Yelp! I chose mango vodka & the host was super nice & gave my friend a choice of vodka on the house (he chose mint). Our vodkas were strong & smooth. We ordered the Russian Osetra Black Caviar service to share as an appetizer. I chose to skip the onions (too strong) as I wanted to enjoy the caviar flavor. It's served in a crepe with some sour cream as a base. It was lovely & decadent. We chose chicken Kiev & beef stroganoff as two entrées to share. The chicken was moist & flavorful. The beef stroganoff was delicious too but I wish there was a bit more beef & mushrooms in the little cast iron pot. It was nice to share two entrées for variety. For dessert, we shared Medovik (honey cake) which was moist and not too sweet. I had a tea, which complemented the dessert perfectly. There's a piano player performing Russian songs & sings too. Good fun. Service was warm, helpful & friendly. I enjoyed my first visit & would visit again if I'm in the area.

Fun atmosphere. Chicken Kiev and beef stroganov were delicious. Wasnt expecting the gypsy dance floor show but was fun. Would go again.

Really cool vibe. Like a Russian speak easy. One of the tastiest martinis I ever had.

Moon is the best server there!! This is a hidden gem. The food is delicious and the vibe is amazing. Moon made us feel like home. We showed up randomly in 2018 and spent ALL evening there and now EVERY time we go to New York we make sure to go there!!

Came here right after a show and the prices reflect that it's a theater meal but still not bad for the portion size. We started with warm bread which I appreciated that it was very warm but the texture was more sponge than bread. We also got the Yelp deal with the vodka shot and I opted for pepper, which is actually spicy. Two of us shared the Chicken Kiev ($31) and the Seafood Blinchiki ($29). The chicken was breaded nicely, but since it was chicken breast, it was a little bit on the dry side, but nice if you want something a little less rich tasting. The mashed potatoes were nice if a little on the bland side as well. The seafood blinchiki was amazing and I'd get that again. Blinchiki are like Russian pancakes/crepes, and the shrimp/scallops inside were not overcooked and blended so well with the saffron cream sauce. We also got the medovik ($15), which is honey cake, and would get this again as well. Sometimes, honey flavors can be a bit too saccharine, but this had a nice deep flavor to it.

I wanted to check out this place since I saw a video about this restaurant during the Russian Ukraine conflict. Most of the employees are Ukrainian. We chose to go on a Sunday after we visited the zoo. It was pretty quiet however they had live music. We started with appetizers with plain blini and khachapuri both were very delicious. I also got the Cherry Russian Tea. For our main course, I chose to chicken Kyiv and my husband got the lamb. The chicken kiev was buttery, crispy, juicy, and tender. The lamb was so soft and tender. The vibe inside was extremely romantic, especially with the live music. Great place for a date

Menus tried: 1) Stroganoff - my favorite dish, beef was super tender and sauce was very well seasoned 2) Braised short rib - again, meat was very tender; mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious 3) Vareniki - love the mushrooms that came with it, onions were caramelized well 4) Chicken Kiev 5) Napoleon - good amount of sweetness 6) Creme brûlée The restaurant hosts live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday! Great ambiance, amazing food. Definitely going back soon!

This was a delicious and fun experience! Our table was ready when we arrived, and the place started getting a lot busier just 5 minutes after we got there. Very popular! We were brought waters, got a list of their most popular dishes, and got to try some of their flavored (very strong) vodka shots. We decided to do family style dining and ordered some small plates to share. My friend ordered the Borsch. I'm not a fan of beets so just had a taste and it was actually not bad, but not something I would order, but she absolutely loved it and was extremely happy that they had it on the menu. Also ordered the Deruny (Potato Pancakes) and these are just a MUST! It was my first time having these and I could have ordered a second plate. And the Vareniki (Potato dumplings with mushrooms and onions) was amazing too! We thought of ordering the beef stroganoff, but with the dishes and the bread service we got full and didn't want to get overfull and ruin the perfect flavors we had. I would go back, for sure, and try more of their dishes. And hopefully catch the piano performance too.

Are you looking for a restaurant to go to before or after a Broadway show? Russian Samovar is located right in the theater district in Manhattan, NY, and has live music. Full bar, incredible food, ambiance, and service. Indoor dining only. Don't forget to order a vodka flight and hot tea. We ordered borscht, vegetable stew with beef short rib, chicken Kiev, Russian duck, hot tea, and a flight of 6 different vodkas (flavors anyhow). FYI, most of their staff is Ukrainian, and the owner opened it in 1986.

Spectacular evening! In a neighborhood full of corporate restaurants, even the fine dining, it refreshing to find a place so "authentic" and warm. Food is really good and the atmosphere was so much fun.

Pros: food, atmosphere, live music, bar, vodka selection Cons: quality and speed of service Dinner Friday night. Music was fun but loud so be prepared. Service was on the slow side but not terrible. We tried the babushka salad, the beef stroganoff and Vareniki. We absolutely recommend the Vareniki and beef stroganoff, they were both delicious and left us wanting seconds. If you want to drink something unexpected, try the Antonovka Spritz. The cinnamon infused vodka was great! Samovar loses a star because service went downhill after we placed our order. It got to the point where I was told by the hostess rushing around that maybe I'd have to go to the bar to ask for the check (which I ended up doing). Since it was Friday night and busy, we'll give samovar the benefit of the doubt on this.

Enjoyed drinks and appetizers at the bar pre-theater ..... what fun! Flavored vodka's and amazing food.

Great food, drinks, music and atmosphere My wife and I recently dined at the Russian Samovar and were quite, quite pleased. We started off with the Vinegret (a beet salad) and Vareniki (potato dumplings with mushrooms and onions) both of which were fabulous. We then shared the Chicken Kiev which sadly was the low point of our meal - dry rather than juicy and there was far too little of the tasty accompanying gravy. For dessert we shared a Napoleon which was delicious and enormous - even splitting the dessert we ate less than half. The drinks were spectacular - I very much enjoyed my Soviet Standards and my wife appreciated her Borschtini but found it a bit overwhelming and so moved onto a surprisingly tasty Cosmopolitan. But arguably the 'star of the car' was the Russian Samovar tea which arrived with a slice of lemon and a small dish of jarred cherries - the perfect accompaniment to our Napoleon. The service was excellent and the atmosphere fun and romantic. And a delightful pianist provided the background score of our wonderful evening together.

We stumbled in this restaurant one Saturday night at 9pm. Didn't know there was supposed to have live performances. The dancers and singers were so amazing and it was absolutely a treat. The food was VERY delicious and the vodka flight was a must try if you like vodka and feel like to try flavored vodka.

Very homie. Nice atmosphere, beautifull interiors. Food is always good . I heard Poet Iosif Brodsky owned this Place once. Great!

I discovered this place because a friend recommended and I was looking for a place that had good Russian food. This restaurant definitely lived up to my expectations. Upon walking in, you're greeted with a very old-school Russian décor, dim lighting, vintage posters, accents in red around the furniture with a large grand piano in the middle of the restaurant. Most of the diners there all spoke Russian so it was a good telling sign this was gonna be very authentic. I came here on two occasions but food wise, all great and very yummy but here's some of my favorites: Appetizer: -Mushroom Vol-Auvent: this is a warm appetizer that has a soupy mushroom stew inside a warm flaky pastry with a cap. It's very hearty and the inside filling was so flavorful! -Beef tongue: I've never had beef tongue served like this before but it was very chewy and I really liked this texture Main: -lamb rack: this took a little bit of time to cook but it was so worth it. The meat was so flavorful, just the right about of tenderness and you can taste the grilled element on each bite, truly amazing. It also came with this sauce that helps to add a little bit of additional texture and went so well with the lamb. The lamb was served on a bed of potatoes that were also sliced and grilled. Super yummy and also seasoned similar to the lamb. I devoured this in 10 minutes without even talking because it was so delicious! -beef stroganoff: the beef stroganoff came with the sauce and the noodles in two separate containers. The sauce was incredible, so creamy and plenty of meat in there! Good portion too! Dessert: -honey cake: definitely get this honey cake, if you're not a huge fan of super sweet treats but do want a little bit of sugar to top off a meal, get this. Really enjoyed the entire dining experience here. The price is definitely not an everyday dinner place but it is a great place for an occasional treat!

An old world lovely dinner, with ambiance to match. We began with fantastic vodka cocktails which were delicious. My husband enjoyed his chicken kyiv very much, the vareniki were also incredibly tasty. The piano music was so pleasant and added to the experience.

A friend of mine loves coming here for the nostalgic Russian food. It's exactly what his grandmother used to make and he always leaves beaming. I tagged along with him this time and we tried out a bunch of dishes. The vodka flight contains six shot glasses of infused vodka. We tried the pear, plum, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, and cranberry. The pineapple and cranberry were the highlights. The rest didn't taste like much, except one of them, either the pomegranate or raspberry, tasted exactly like Robitussin, which was kind of hilarious if you're going for childhood nostalgia. It was three of us, so we each ended up doing about two shots. The vodka is super strong, so I'd recommend splitting with friends. We got a bunch of things to share. We ordered the frikadelka, a soup with chicken meatballs, which was honestly my favorite. The broth is really light but has a ton of flavor. The Siberian pelmeni (veal and pork dumplings) and dolma (lamb and rice wrapped in grape leaves) were good. We shared the braised short rib as well, which was incredibly tender. It's braised in port, which gives it an interesting, almost heavier flavor. I don't think it's on the menu, but my friend asked for and got cherry pelmeni for dessert--essentially just sour cherry dumplings. Although a bit doughy for my taste, he was in heaven. I think this place was worth trying, and there appeared to be a lot of old-timey regulars in the restaurant while we were there. I will honestly say that Russian cuisine isn't my favorite, but for anyone who longs for authentic Russian food, this place will definitely hit the spot.