Visit Mother Russia
BY ROBERTA GRAFF
For the past 32 years, Russian
poets, writers and musicians,
and anyone else interested in
a taste of the homeland have beaten
a steady path to 52nd Street where
the Russian Samovor is serving the
most delicious vareniki, pelmeni
and blinis, since your “babushka”
retired from the kitchen. Not the
oldest—The Russian Tea Room is a
bit older—but certainly one of the
most popular Russian restaurants in
New York, it exudes a 19th century
feel with its golden floor, Russian
folk art and low hanging green and
red lamp shades.
Previously co-owned by dancer
Mikhail Baryshnikow and poet
Joseph Brodsky, the Russian
Samovar has long been a magnet
for intellectuals and entertainment
personalities. In addition, Frank
Sinatra and the “Rat Pack” were
known to be regulars. Today the
restaurant is owned by Roman
Kaplan and managed by daughter
Vlada and her sons Michael and
Nicholas. The meticulous service
is worthy of a czar.
Although the entertainment and
poetry readings make the Russian
Samovar unique, it is the exceptional
food and drink that keep the 100
seats filled.
Begin your meal with any one of
the 26 flavored vodkas, followed
by the Olivier salad and the fried
potato dumplings with a mushroom
topping. Another fine choice
would be the eggplant caviar or
the Russian crepes with smoked
salmon or caviar. Main courses
include delicious shashlik (rack of
lamb), pozharshi, which is ground
veal and breast of chicken cutlets,
and buttery Chicken Kiev. The beef
stroganoff was super and the meat
pirozok out of this world. Medovik,
a layered honey cake; with a cup of
tea it’s the perfect ending to a meal
at the Russian Samovor.
New York may be filled with ethnic
restaurants; however, this is a
throw-back to another era where
food, drink and gypsy music as
a backdrop make for something
more. It is truly an experience. No
doubt about it, even Vladimir Putin
would love it!
Russian Samovor is located at
256 West 52nd St. For more info,
call 212-757-0168
Imperial Russia awaits
Russian Samovar
Food pestroika Mmm... Perogis!
50 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ August 2018