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With the Sochi Olympics fast approaching, there’s no doubt that you’ve got Russia on the mind. For many, between Putin’s Pussy Riot scandal and inhumane treatment of the LGBT community, there’s a lot of negativity in there—and with good reason. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate the (sometimes over the top) culture, the foods and, of course, the vodka that the country’s immigrants have institutionalized in a number of establishments across the city.
As referenced in a New York Times article by novelist Alexander Nazaryn, William Pokhlyobkin, famed Russian culinary author—and passionate defender of vodka consumption—notes, “the correct role of vodka at a table is to accompany and to highlight exclusively Russian national dishes. Above all, vodka is the appropriate drink with meat and meat-cereal dishes, with salty and sharp-tasting dishes, and with fish.” Nazaryn believes that since Russians, culturally, treat drinking as a part of a complete gastronomic experience, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there aren’t many Russian bars, but rather plenty of restaurant/lounge/nightclub establishments where everything is intertwined. So make sure you’re thirsty for booze and conversation and hungry enough to stuff your face with everything from smoked fish to beef Stroganoff and still hit the dance floor.
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Russian Baths on Neck Road
Good for: Special occasion, groups, watching sports
We recommend: Paltza at the spa, $40; lamb shashlyk at the sports bar, $19.90
Address: 1200 Gravesend Neck Rd.
Website: russianbathofny.com
Unlike the Wall Street banya, this Sheepshead Bay facility is more of a leisurely weekend retreat where you'll see a mix of families with children, couples (check out the website for their Valentine's Day package) and seniors. The amenities here fit the description of any classic bath house with steam rooms, saunas, pools and a spa, but what does merit a special call out is the fact that its on-site restaurant is actually a sports bar. Order a local beer and some kebabs and a bath house suddenly becomes the perfect place to watch boxing, European basketball and soccer games and, of course, hockey. If you head over during the Olympics, though, make sure to keep the U-S-A, U-S-A cheers as discreet as possible.
Café Glechik
Good for: Casual dining, groups, lunch
We recommend: Cold borscht, $6.60; pelmeni Siberian, $6; vareniki with mushrooms and onions, $9
Address: 3159 Coney Island Ave.
Website: glechik.com
On the opposite spectrum of the glitzy supper clubs and Manhattan's pseudo-social clubs is this delicious restaurant near Coney Island. Not to say that it hasn't received its due praise before this: Anthony Bourdain made it a stop on an episode of No Reservations a few years ago. The food is homey Ukrainian/Russian fusion, which isn't a surprise to anyone that knows that "Glechik" roughly translates from Ukrainian as a clay jar, jug or crock filled with something delicious (in this case, their hot and cold soups). During the summer, this place fills up with locals returning from the beach for a late lunch and year round it's pretty much the neighborhood go-to for, well, just about everyone. Like so many restaurants in this area, it's BYOB so you can focus on the food menu—and here's where you get great bang for your buck. Their vareniki and pelmeni dumplings are served in batches of 25. And don't worry if you want to sample—the wait staff will happily send you home with a doggie bag.
National
Good for: Special occasion, groups, dancing, live show
We recommend: Russian Menu prix fixe, $60 Friday, Sunday, $75 Saturday
Address: 273 Brighton Beach Av.
Website: nationalrestaurantny.com
Located on the main drag just off of the Brighton Beach stop is National, another restaurant/nightclub/cabaret. Like Tatiana, it's also BYOB and best to tackle in big groups with a prix-fixe menu. If you don't feel like hauling bottles of vodka on the subway, pop into Ocean Wine & Liquor right next door, which has more than 50 varieties. The atmosphere is a little more formal here at this two-floored gilded banquet, which makes it a common choice for wedding receptions and performances from visiting Russian singers. Still, on the weekends don't be surprised to find yourself drunkenly attempting the squat dance with Russo-Jersey girls and Russian trophy wives alike.
Tatiana
Good for: Special occasion, groups, dancing, live show
We recommend: Tatiana Special banquet, $80 Friday, Sunday; $110 Saturday
Address: 3152 Brighton 6th St.
Website: tatianarestaurant.com
Now let's venture across the East River and down south to Brighton Beach, aka Little Odessa. While almost every spot along Brighton Beach Blvd. can be classified as legit hangout, from the bakeries to the pharmacies, it's Tatiana on the boardwalk that gets the first shout out. At the risk of sounding like Stefon, this place has everything: giant goldfish swimming under your feet, female Michael Jackson impersonators moon walking, bottles of previously unheard of Balinoff vodka, lampstands that look like gimps, silver trays of caviar and spicy beef tongue, topless men spinning fire, a DJ spinning international pop songs dubbed into Russian and a moustachioed man who will take your group's photo, then blow it up high school yearbook style, Photoshop a border of roses on and sell it to you for $20 at the end of a night (it's worth it!). The list goes on. Visiting Friday through Sunday with a large group is ideal. Go big and order one of the banquet menu options, watch the live show and then stay to dance alongside a mix of teenage girls and senior citizens.
Wall Street Bath & Spa
Good for: Special occasion, groups
We recommend: Platza treatment, $40
Address: 88 Fulton St.
Website: wallstreetbath.com
While you may initially feel weird heading down to the Financial District to disrobe, somehow it makes sense that in the middle (or, rather, underneath) of all the hustle and bustle are a bunch of current and former Russian bigwigs sweating out there stress. Forty dollars will get you a daily pass into the facilities including access to all the pools, saunas, steam rooms, resting areas and, yes, even the cigar lounge. Celebrate your birthday like a Russian business man and rent the VIP room out for $100 an hour with amenities including your own pool table and Jacuzzi. At the very least, don't shy away from shelling out a little extra for one of their spa treatments, specifically the platza treatment, where a "Platza Master" will beat you with oak leaves to open your pores, remove toxins and exfoliate your skin. Finally, put some toxins back in your body by ordering a few shots of vodka or a Baltika beer at the adjoining restaurant.
Anyway Café
Good for: Late-night dining, live music
We recommend: Crepes with salmon caviar, $14; honey-ginger vodka
Address: 34 East 2nd St.
Website: anywaycafe.com
Wondering why you may feel like a Russian expat in Paris? Turns out the seemingly niche vibe of this cozy hangout is entirely intentional. In a quick history lesson (along with Dostoyevsky's known appreciation for France), Russia's famed Smirnoff label was actually founded outside of Paris by a émigré member of the vodka dynasty. Now menu items like crepes, paninis and mussels may seem less strange. While an overwhelmingly Russian crowd frequents its two Brooklyn locations, the smaller East Village spot tends to be filled by a more international, though decidedly Bohemian crowd. With live music every night ranging from jazz to Russian folk, this is a great first stop or final nightcap on a night out. Just remember, if you aren't partial to sweet drinks, stick to the less fruity options among the infused shots!
Pravda
Good for: After work drinks, small bites, date night
We recommend: Zakouski platter (appetizers to share), $33; Moscow Mule cocktail, $14
Address: 281 Lafayette St.
Website: pravdany.com
It may no longer be nightlife entrepreneur Keith McNally's trendiest property, but since opening in 1996 this subterranean nightspot has established itself as a favorite among the young and hip. Additionally, as pointed out in a 2010 New York magazine piece, it's the only themed Russian spot not considered fake (apparently KGB Bar in the East Village and Fire Bird restaurant in Midtown are the worst offenders). While Mari Vanna seems to transport you into the living room of late 19th century aristocracy, Pravda sticks you behind the Iron Curtain with its vaulted ceilings, pseudo-shabby wooden floors and militantly printed menu. The crowd here tends to be more diverse than the previous spots, but that doesn't mean you won't get an authentic taste of Russian in terms of smoked fish, bountiful vodka and the burly bouncer at the door. If you're taking a date, share the zakousky appetizer platter and devote the rest of your night to sampling the cocktails made with house-infused vodkas.
Mari Vanna
Good for: Special occasion, brunch, date night
We recommend: Cured herring, $12; beef stroganoff, $29
Address: 41 East 20th St.
Website: marivanna.ru
Open since 2009, this restaurant may be the only one in New York that's a franchise of a Russian eatery. The first thing you have to point out about this restaurant is its interior. Look at it. From the second you step inside you'll feel as if you've been transported into wealthy babushka's apartment circa 1860. The whole place has a feminine touch: all-white chairs and linens, crystal chandeliers, gilded golden mirrors and cutesy cupboards littered with vintage books, tchotchke and of course matroyshka dolls. The food also delivers with tasty classics beef Stroganoff and chicken Kiev for dinner and a "Russian Fairy Tale" themed all-you-can eat $35 brunch of blinis and kashas on the weekends. Add in "Key Mondays" (their busiest night with a DJ, cocktails and complimentary dessert for the ladies) and "Model Tuesdays" (self-explanatory), it's no surprise that Flatiron spot has become a favorite for family birthdays, bachelorette brunches and opulent anniversary dinners.
Russian Vodka Room
Good for: Special occasion, cocktails, small bites
We recommend: Ostera Malosol caviar & blini, 1 oz., $80; Filthy Russian cocktail, $16
Address: 265 West 52nd St.
Website: russianvodkaroom.com
If you're looking for something a little more lounge-y and a little less like the setting of potential mafia holiday party hit, head right across the street from Samovar to the Vodka Room. The name of this dimly-lit haunt pretty much sums it up: the interior looks like a room straight out the 1970s era Playboy Mansion with a long oak bar, dark green carpeting and a shiny black piano. Although a few pieces of hammer and sickle décor may give off a slightly themed, less organic Russian vibe, it's still likely that you'll be surrounded by expats, groups that have been lead there by a single Russian friend or Slavic Studies NYU Ph.D. students discussing Trotsky over a flight of vodkas. Food and drinks can get pricey here, but if you are going to go all-out, definitely get a caviar and blini or smoked fish plate to share, sample one of their vodka infusions (note: the garlic, dill and onion flavor is an acquired taste) and sip on a Filthy Russian, their version of an extra dirty martini, or Jewel of Vodka straight. Na zdorovye!
Russian Samovar
Good for: Live music, groups, date night
We recommend: Roasted duck, $28; cranberry vodka, $7
Address: 256 West 52nd St.
Website: russiansamovar.com
You may recognize this very red restaurant from Sex and the City: it's where Aleksandr Petrovsky takes Carrie Bradshaw for their first date. In real life, the real Petrovksy, Mikhail Baryshnikov, is actually part owner of the Midtown hideaway and the white piano inside was his personal gift to the establishment. Since being founded by Nobel Prize winning poet Joseph Brodsky in 1986 as a sort of Bohemian hangout, the two-floor restaurant/piano bar has become a home-away-from-home for members of the Russian elite (think Samovar regular and billionaire owner of the Brooklyn Nets Mikhail Prokhorov) and artistic communities, making it an obvious spot for Soviet celebrity spotting. With live music on most nights and even occasional poetry readings, this is a great stop for a hearty pre-show dinner or post-show cocktails—just don't be surprised to leave the spot singing a line or two from the folk song the jovial group of Russians one table over corralled you into learning.