Russian Tea Room

there is a separate bar in front. however, the true joy of the Tea Room is not found on the first floor. it's the second, third, and fourth floors that are really spectacular in design. you could sit at the bar, but there's no reason to.

the food is downright awful. i'm the shameless type that photographs nearly everything i eat. my wife and i had lunch at the tea room last year and not a...+READ there is a separate bar in front. however, the true joy of the Tea Room is not found on the first floor. it's the second, third, and fourth floors that are really spectacular in design. you could sit at the bar, but there's no reason to.

the food is downright awful. i'm the shameless type that photographs nearly everything i eat. my wife and i had lunch at the tea room last year and not a photo was taken. nothing looked appealing enough to want to see it again. we left dessert on the table unfinished. i don't do that anywhere.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (4 Replies) (by coasts, created January 28, 2012)

Hi! Nobody seems to be showing you any love, so allow me to weigh in - perhaps, as a visitor from Boston, my opinion might be equally useful. I think that there was a time when RTR was "fun" to drop into, for the "Samovar Kitsch"; vodka & caviar served with a dramatic flourish, great people watching... But, times change. I get the feeling (just a gut feeling - this is by NO MEANS grounded in any...+READ Hi! Nobody seems to be showing you any love, so allow me to weigh in - perhaps, as a visitor from Boston, my opinion might be equally useful. I think that there was a time when RTR was "fun" to drop into, for the "Samovar Kitsch"; vodka & caviar served with a dramatic flourish, great people watching... But, times change. I get the feeling (just a gut feeling - this is by NO MEANS grounded in any sort of reality but my own) it's achieved "has-been" status, and would be nothing more than a depressing, grossly overpriced "Times Square North - Russian Theme Park Ride". It might be cheeky fun still, but I doubt it. If you want New York-y people watching/quasi-touristy stuff, maybe Oyster Bar @ Grand Central? King Cole Bar @ St. Regis? I think the lack of response to your post speaks volumes; avoid The Russian Tea Room. Again though, I'm a Bostonian, so I could be totally off base on this one. I just think that New Yorkers don't view RTR as an institution anymore like, say, 21 Club. If anyone else felt like responding, perhaps you may corroborate/refute me!-COLLAPSE / REPLY (4 Replies) (by BrettLove, created January 28, 2012)

i had a meal there a few weeks ago. like many readers of CH, i often take photos of the plates before tasting them. nothing that was served to Ms. Coasts or myself looked good enough to photograph. we left having taken zero pictured. neither of us finished dessert and it wasn't because we were so full from dinner. i vote cancel. REPLY (22 Replies) (by coasts, created September 7, 2011)

I have to agree with southernitalian. I don't think the food is appalling -- they actually do a good bowl of borscht -- but mostly, it's not very good, either. There are better restaurants, even Russian ones, in Manhattan (for instance, Mari Vanna, a pretty restaurant in the East 20s: http://www.marivanna.ru/ny/#/).

As far as iconic, romantic and sexy restaurants go in Midtown: Look into La...+READ I have to agree with southernitalian. I don't think the food is appalling -- they actually do a good bowl of borscht -- but mostly, it's not very good, either. There are better restaurants, even Russian ones, in Manhattan (for instance, Mari Vanna, a pretty restaurant in the East 20s: http://www.marivanna.ru/ny/#/).

As far as iconic, romantic and sexy restaurants go in Midtown: Look into La Grenouille and see if that might suit.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (22 Replies) (by michelleats, created September 7, 2011)

»It's good to know rich people don't eat better

My girlfriend made reservations for our mothers on mother's day in 2011. She was told it would be $50 per person. When we got there on Mother's Day, they increased the price to $105 per person. What were we to do? We had promised out mothers the Russian Tea Room and we couldn't make reservations elsewhere at that time. So, we sat down for high tea which consisted of champagne (we don't drink),...+READ My girlfriend made reservations for our mothers on mother's day in 2011. She was told it would be $50 per person. When we got there on Mother's Day, they increased the price to $105 per person. What were we to do? We had promised out mothers the Russian Tea Room and we couldn't make reservations elsewhere at that time. So, we sat down for high tea which consisted of champagne (we don't drink), tea and two courses. I expected the courses to be small, but I did not expect the food to be, for the most part, mediocre in quality. There were two thumb sided rounds of flavorless bread topped with two types of caviar. I could not differentiate between the two types. There was a spoonful of tuna tartar (a sushi house could do better). There was a morsel of fried brie, which was actually tasty. A tiny wedge of bread, cheese and ham with a quail egg (a regular diner could do better). Then there was a tough piece of artichoke with goat cheese.

For dessert there were three scones, which were tasty, but far from the best. Then there were two cupcakes. One of mine looked like it was already half eaten. Each cupcake was topped with a dab of frosting. At the very end were two tiny, chocolate candies, which were good, but not great.

None of it was worth $50 a person, and it certainly wasn't worth $105 a person.

Although expensive, I do want to thank them for the life experience. It's good to know the country's wealthy citizens aren't enjoying food anymore than I already do.

P.S. The service was good, but no amount of smiles would improve the food.-COLLAPSE (by Eater9, created May 8, 2011)

»SKIP THIS FORMER NYC LANDMARK

I've longed to dine at the Russian Tea Room in NYC for as long as I can remember. During a recent visit, I got the opportunity. I can only say this...take your money and time elsewhere! One appetizer that my husband had...the vegetable a la Russe/// was the only edible item but it was reheated and not hot all the way through. Two of us had the same entree...Chicken Tabaka on the recommendation of...+READ I've longed to dine at the Russian Tea Room in NYC for as long as I can remember. During a recent visit, I got the opportunity. I can only say this...take your money and time elsewhere! One appetizer that my husband had...the vegetable a la Russe/// was the only edible item but it was reheated and not hot all the way through. Two of us had the same entree...Chicken Tabaka on the recommendation of the waiter...the portion was smaller than an appetizer and the presentation was so off-putting (lots of little chicken bones)...not to mention the flavors being indescribable and unsavory. The others had different entrees...which I can't remember, but they were just as disappointing. Everyone was in disbelief as to how unsuccessful the dishes were and we reluctantly paid an exorbitant bill, which we wouldn't mind had the food been worth it. Our waiter was fabulous...we received several samples of vodka shots...but none of that could have made up for the poor meal. Word to the wise...take a peek inside to take in the original ornate and historic decor, but go somewhere else to eat...Major disappointment.-COLLAPSE (by bella7, created January 3, 2010)