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I was in town for a business trip and visited Russian samovar for a a dinner. I think that there are no other place in the world that can be compared to this place, :Excellent food, warm atmosphere, and especially I would like to point out phenomenal music by trio of musicians:piano, guitar and violin. Strongly recommend to everyone! And definitely try of the Cranberry infused vodka - just the best.

the place looks cheap, the bartender's are rude and service bad. The food is not fresh and looks russian only on the menu.(the salmon shashlik had no test, olivier salad were maybe made last year, blini were burned....) in just one word save your money this place is not nothing except waste of money!

The only authentic Russian dining experience in NYC. Like eating at home in Moscow, but better. Colorful crowd, Coulibiac a favorite, the blini not to be missed. Also, fun to sit at the bar and order traditional zakouski.

I never do this ,if i not happy i dont go back,but i am very upset.was never given the champagne menu until a second bottle was about tto be served.$1200.00 for the first bottle that is outrageous for a bottle of dom ..even in new york.main course lamb chops were soaked in garlic to overcome the fatty quality.beef appetizer was old looking.near the end of the dinner 150 people walked in and made the experience uncomfortable.server new she did not offer menu and only said i am sorry.i will never reccommend this place to anyone unless they want tobe ripped off.

We don't have much choice for Russian fare on the island, so when a client asked for a "Russian" dinner experience, I had to go with Samovar. I actually stopped going there about a year ago after several encounters with badservice+badfood=wedontneeduhere... so my expectations were pretty low... We came in late Friday nite and were seated right away. The staple musician duet was getting festive and crowd looked tipsy/homey. I got us the works hoping for at least one hit and crossed my fingers... what a pleasant surprise! The borscht was excellent, the entries were delish and even appetizers were pretty decent (ok, olivye was a bit stale, but you have to eat it after 24 hours in a fridge but before 48 hours since making, so it is kind of hard to get it right) , and deserts with yummy. Service is sub-par by US standards, but none of the Russian joints in US has it right except maybe TT in Chicago, so I would still give it above average. Am definitely coming back!

I'm not overly familiar with Russian food, but I kept it basic and the food was good from my limited experience. The service however, was lacking. Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Coat check guy, hostess and waiters/waitresses were all, at best, tolerant. After dinner stayed for a few vodkas, and the bartender warmed up after a bit, but I think there's probably other places you can go with a warmer atmosphere...while I wouldn't abhor going again, I'm going to try a few of the other Russian places in the area...

I read the reviews on this place and thought I would give it a try. We only went for drinks, not dinner and sat at a table in the bar. It was totally silent, no music or piano playing at all..felt like being at a wake with alcohol. Drinks weren't that great, but ok. The biggest reason I will not go back is because they do not tell you when the "kindly" check your coat at the door that coats are NOT ALLOWED in the restaurant and it is a mandatory $2.00 per coat. Won't ever go back - will go across the street to the Russian Vodka Room