In a city renowned for ethnic restaurants, Russian Samovar is unique. Owned by Roman Kaplan and managed by his daughter Vlada Von Shats and her children, this elegant, upscale establishment offers some of the finest Russian cuisine in New York. Located in the Theater District, Russian Samovar boasts a 19th-century feel, complete with picturesque green and red shades and Russian folk prints. Being entrenched in the theater and art community, Ballet Legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Nobel Prize winner for poetry Joseph Brodsky are former partners. The popular eatery is famous for its 26 flavored vodkas prepared in-house, including ginger, horseradish, lemon and cranberry, as well as its Russian delicacies. Jilly Rizzo, friend and bodyguard of Frank Sinatra, owned the establishment in the past, and Sinatra held many personal concerts there and often spent time with The Rat Pack, as well as games of baccarat. 

 

Appetizers include Beluga and Osetra caviar, blinis filled with salmon or caviar, the Assorted Fish Platter – in house cured Salmon Gravlax with dill, Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Smoked Butterfish — vol-au-vent, a wild mushroom puff pastry, traditional borscht, a pate Russe laced with brandy, and Pelmeni Stroganoff, veal or chicken with sirloin tips in a creamy mushroom sauce. 

 

But its signature dishes have put Russian Samovar on the culinary map. House specialties include shash-lik Karski, rack of lamb marinated in Georgian spices, beef Stroganoff, veal pojarksi, ground veal and breast of chicken cutlets, chicken Kiev, pelmeni, veal, beef and chicken dumplings, and chicken tabaka, a baby chicken split and grilled. Side dishes, such as marinated red cabbage, boiled or mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables, compliment the succulent entrees. For dessert there is the Zapekanka, a very Russkiy cheese cake, and the Crème brûlée just to name a few. 

 

Russian Samovar seats 100 in the dining room and 50 at the bar. Upstairs, the intimate St Petersburg Hall & Lounge, which caters to private parties, small dinners and events, seats 34 for sit-down dinner, and 100, comfortably, for standing buffet. Designed by Felix Zbarski and Yuri Kuper, the lounge houses Kaplan’s extraordinary collection of samovars. The club-like feel is evident in the oak floors, schlacked with a warm gray/gold veneer. 

 

Because the restaurant is a magnet for artists and writers, poetry readings are held throughout the year and a classically trained pianist performs nightly. Russian Samovar features live interactive theatre every Thursday with award-winning actors, performance from Opera Singer Michael Peer on Mondays, Gipsy Fun Trio on Fridays and Saturdays on violin and guitar playing traditional Russian music, and Jazz Blues Brunch on Sundays 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm with the Uptown Jazz Company. Russian Samovar has been and continues to be a major contributor and supporter of the art community.