Uncle Vanya's, Vodka Room, Firebird--recent comments?
Planning a casual tour of the W. 50's Russian joints. Has anyone been to Vanya's lately and what did you like there? What's good at the Vodka Room? (any recs for their own flavored vodkas?) Is it possible to just have a drink and snack at Firebird?
Thanks!
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Russian Vodka Room
265 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Uncle Vanya
315 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
FireBird
365 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
By lucia
on Feb 5, 2003 05:05 PM
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I have had hallucinatory experience at the russian samovar. Was with a russian who was trying to teach me "the system." It involved a base of pelmeni, then a shot of flavored vodka once every twenty three minutes and lots of water in between. Needless to say, had an interesting evening, but I can vouch for the solid food and and above average scene, complete with singing/dancing, etc.
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Russian Samovar
256 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
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How many hours of "the system" were you able to do before you gave up? I think I could probably go for about four before I caved.
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So, should I hire a babysitter to do the counting?
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I am a huge fan of Russian Vodka Room (RVR). It's always completely crowded all the times I've been. Food is pretty good. Our favorites are the kielbasa and eggplant caviar. I like the food there much better than at Uncle Vanya's, though Uncle Vanya's is much less crowded than RVR and more of a restaurant than a lounge/restaurant. Russian Samovar across the street is much bigger than the other two and has good chicken kiev.
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Russian Vodka Room
265 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Uncle Vanya
315 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
Russian Samovar
256 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
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The Russian Vodka Room is very crowded, as you said, after about 6:30 or 7. If you go early, though, it is an entirely different experience. The crowd is mostly male and mostly Russian, and the service is much better (They'll actually have time to discuss the vodka with you).
I love the Russian Vodka Room, and will go even when it is crowded. I recommend the ginger flavor, and, if you like pickles, the garlic and dill, which is similar to a really mean kosher dill brine.
Either the pickled vegetable platter or one of the smoked meat or fish plates makes a good foil to the vodka (especially the pickles), but the food is really something that you eat in nibbles between doses of the vodka.
The Russian Vodka Room is especially good considering the area where it is - it isn't tarted up for the tourists. It's the real thing.
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Sometimes, I find it too crowded, but I do like some of the vodkas. Ginger is the best all round choice. Coriander is unusual and strong. Tastes like you are chewing coriander. Horseradish is hot and can clean your nostrils.
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Uncle Vanya's restaurant was the biggest disappointment of my life. I had awful food and awful service and there was only one band of Vokda that night. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. Firebird's the one.
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The Garlic & Dill Vodka is really strong. Not right for a novice at the RVR
Food - The Potato Pancakes are incredible
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Garlic and Dill tastes like it sounds. Intensely so. They're not delicate infusions, you really are drinking garlic juice. Horseradish is another one with kick. I think they're perfect for a novice, but don't order both in the same night.
For someone skeptical of flavored vodkas, the Ginger is a safe one, and also a good novice introductory at Russian Vodka Room.
(Oh I just realized this was a thread from 2003 that good bumped. In any case, I'm happy to report the vodkas are still good in 2011, only more expensive)
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Russian Vodka Room
265 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
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i like this thread revival too :) i've been back to RVR several times recently...i like the Ginger vodka too, and the Pineapple (though that one's almost "too safe")...foodwise, i think their smoked salmon plate is quite good, and friends of mine seem to love the potato pancakes...
Downtown at Mari Vanna, i tend to go for the apricot vodka...
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Mari Vanna
41 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10003
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Thanks all. I'll post back. Nostrovya!
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"Nostrovya!"????
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I think what is meant is "na zdorov'e." i.e., cheers.
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or "to your health"
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I know what "na zdorov'e" means (I'm Russian), which is why I was wondering what "nostrovya" was. BTW, I know of no Russian people who when drinking vodka say that. I wonder how it got started?...
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I'm sure you imagine, as I did, that it's an attempt at transliteration by someone who doesn't know how it's written down. What would you say naturally? Za vashe zdorov'e?
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Yes, or just "za vas" or "za tebya" ("to you"). But usually Russians prefer to make long toasts so I hardly hear just a few words being said.
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It has been a couple of years since I've been to Firebird but I still recall a very impressive meal featuring specialties from various parts of the former Soviet Union. I can't recall what it was but I remember a Georgian dish stood out.
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