Pravda

Pravda has been around for about fifteen years now. The spot is a Soho pioneer and it's service and quality hasn't gone down one bit since day one. The crowd isn't quite as trendy as it used to be but it's still solid. This bar has invented some of my favorite drinks. I like the bohemian even though it's girl. Great martinis... The food is also amazing here. Maybe the best steak sandwich in the city. Everyone should go here at least once.

The crispy oysters are heavenly... but stay away from the blackcurrent- infused vodka.. they overdid it and it turned out bitter and nasty. Otherwise, the perfect place to kick back some shots and pretend you're the KGB.

Must confess this was my favorite bar all through college up until recently. Maybe it's because I'm pushing 30 and eat more than I earn, but last time I has here, I felt decidedly old. The place seemed tired to me, and the great and inventive drinks that they used to make, the fresh and pulpy cosmopolitan, the grainy apple martini, have been passed over by the newer, more sophisticated beverages readily available at other places, like the lechee or blood orange martini, not to mention drinks that resemble meals. It's still a great looking place, although the commie chic decor has been copied so many times that is has lost it novelty, even if it happened to be the first such place. The crowd has become distinctly younger and less hip - dare I say bridge and tunnel, and also much less fun. Although, on certain nights, there exists a nice section of easily approachable women. But more than ever, it feels like a party that ended a long time ago. As for Pravda's food, is remains as it always was; surprisingly decent to fantastic depending on how much alcohol you consume. I would recommend, sober or otherwise, the potato onion pizza and the potato pancakes with smoked salmon. But more than anything, to me, the best thing Pravda has to offer doesn't exists on any menu: saccharine reminders of late the 90s New York.

Staff was great, too! The two bartenders were friendly and helpful, as was the doorman. Food was delicious, ambiance was sexy and attractive, crowd was convivial. Will def be back many times!

Okay my boyfriend and I came here for drinks, so I can't comment on the food at all. But let me tell you the best part about Pravda is the upstairs smoking room. The service, the atmosphere and the seating arrangements are all mediocre. The staff is nice, but I had to ask our waitress 3 times to make my drink a little stronger because it tasted like fruit punch, I like to taste alcohol when i am drinking it. She brought it back each time and I could not tell the difference. Well if you like crowded, loud places, where smoking cigarettes is allowed, it's worth checking out. And by the way we did end up getting wasted after about 4 drinks!

I love this place. My friends and I hesitated a little when we found out that we had to go down the dark and narrow stairs to get into the place. I am sure all of us are glad that we did because the food was really good. I love their crab cakes and Lamb Shashlik!

It is expensive, but worth the $$. The service is usually top notch and it is worth reserving a table in advance. Most downtown bars and clientele are so snobby and repulsive. I find that this is the opposite at Pravda. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. I've made a few friends there too. Lots of nice patrons. I find that the Russian style food goes along great with the (heavy) drinking one can do here. The cocktails are so tasty and smooth that you won't realize you're drinking alcohol - until you try to stand up. I would actually extend a word of caution to Pravda newbies: their drinks go down a little too easily. I've had some horrible Pravda hangovers in the past - but I keep doing it to myself! Love love love PRAVDA!