Eating at The Russian Tea Room. The WORST Restaurant in NYC?
I eat at and review The Russian Tea Room in Midtown Manhattan of New York City. The restaurant was established in 1926 and is one of the most famous places to dine at in NYC. The Russian Tea Room is also known for its beauty. However, it hasn’t always gotten the best reviews when it comes to its food. Food critique Steve Cuozzo called The Russian Tea Room, “the worst restaurant in NYC.” I had to find out for myself if that was true.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesandrews111/?hl=en
Food Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodalwayswon/?hl=en
My camera: https://amzn.to/4iHKGEW
Full Disclosure: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission from a sale, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About Me: I live in NYC and I’m about food, travel and work.
35 Comments
I went there years ago on a crazy date and we ate some kind of caviar tasting menu… I was impressed that they kept bringing us freshly warmed little toasts to put the fish eggs on. Seemed fine to me~
As a Brit, watching you use a knife and fork left me with P.T.S.D.
Compare to other reviews, the food looked boring, including the dessert
Many years ago I went to the Russian Tea Room for brunch before going to a play on Broadway. I really enjoyed it! I had the caviar omelette with sour cream, herbs and Rosti potatoes, mimosas and then Russian tea with Cherry Varenya served in an ornate little silver dish. We were seated in the main dining room in one of the gorgeous red booths. It was a great way to enjoy the ambiance without overspending on dinner and alcohol. It wasn't too busy at that time of day, and the service was just wonderful.
Your ability to taste has been ruined by being in the US. Your ability to handle cutlery also shows your inabilities. Maybe try Casey's petrol stations next.
As for your failure to produce a video and not having a vodka sampling, that's on you. Try again when you have matured.
Never take a review from the New York Post seriously. I've been there a few times. The most luxurious place to go and get drunk with a client. Get the flight of Vodkas with Caviar Sampler and you will be in heaven. The Chicken Kiev is wonderful. Excuse yourself to the restroom before the check comes lol.
The presentation was underwhelming. Really the bread looked like a 4 year old did it. The dessert looked like who did it and ran. 🤓
I gotta say, it's a breath of fresh air to be watching this after 4 hours of dead scrolling. It feels relaxing
by definition it is Russian, and must be just the worse
Just over $100 I would definitely eat there. Looks good salmon ain’t cheap.
This is Ukrainian propaganda… also he has never eaten a hockey puck, he has no idea… I’m sure this restaurant is great… he just thinks being cynical makes him smart and Ukraine paid him to hate Russia for war purposes… do not listen!
Russian Tea Room is overrated. I prefer Russian Samovar on 52nd Street.
Russian food is not known for being delicious. In fact, most European food is meh at best. Now Asian food, that's where the flavor is, sumptous, scrumptous food that will tantalize your taste buds.
No wonder this restaurant went downhill cause of the war against Ukraine from 2022.
NY post is a trash paper
I thought this closed years ago. Perhaps it reopened. I dined there twice in the 1980s and had fine experiences. But nothing lasts forever.
I'm in Atlanta, so not familiar with Manhattan prices, which I know are high. That did not look like a $100 meal to me.
You MUST be a Midwestern! That accent!😆
Michelin is a scam, you’re wasting your health/ time and money with going there. Go to the gym and exercise. It’s not good for your soul to be a salve of your stomach.
Carmen, not Tchaikovsky?
I visited Russia in the late 1990's , I did not much like Moscow, except for the ballet which was wonderful, the guide got us front row seat for $50. The tour was Moxcowand then the midnight train to St Petersburg. We were at a concert somewhere, at intermission they served US, I guess the guide arranged it, we had caviar, champagne and vodka. It was wonderful. Never had caviar before or since.
problem is that seasoning is for american tastes, it won´t be authentic Russian food. You are used to season everything, and if it is not seasoned, it is bland. Most of the food outside the tropics and outside America is lightly seasoned and for Americans, it is hard to understand and feels bland. For Russians, and other cultures, American food is overseasoned
Thank you for your down to earth review!
I feel like this needs the “Gordon Ramsey” treatment. I could only imagine a muffled voice echoing from the kitchen into the main dinning room filled with swanky NY patrons exclaiming loudly “Oh My God, WTF is this!?!?!” During meal service, while a violin plays a hideous chord ominously.
Perhaps because it was restaurant week and you went there BECAUSE it was cheaper you didn't get their best effort.
What a rip off. lol Is this for some oligarchs, russian and otherwise???
Remember the cliché about unpriced offerings, "If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it".
If I wanted to be surrounded by art, I would go to a museum for a lot cheaper.
We'll have two cornish game hens and some water.
While I couldn't afford that meal (or NYC these days) I am enjoying these dishes vicariously. Thank you.
I don't think the restorant or chain of several is owned by family started The Russians Tea Rooms or, at least ,have Russian chief studied Russian authentic food in Russia. All restaurants owned by Chinese now…
in Russian tradition the service is supposed to be bad =)
Great job, James!
No vodka for me, but I would love to have some samovar brew in a nice Russian company..😊
Looks the same when Tootsie went there😂