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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

I had come here years ago and it was much better then. The meals took over 30 minutes to come out & when they finally did, the food wasn't even warm. The beef stroganoff had very little taste. No heat in the restaurant on a cold night. Slow service. Overall, a disappointing experience. The samovar's days are over!!

Upon reading the menu, I figured I was in for a real treat. I enjoyed the duck with apple and plums... it was quite tasty. They serve bread and butter before the meal, but it would help tremendously if they warmed the bread in an oven, or better yet, baked it fresh themselves. The food was a bit pricey, so I figured that it would come with sides. When the waitress asked me if I wanted potatoes or cracked wheat (kasha), I replied "kasha," only to find out later that I was charged $5 extra for that. And then when I got ready to leave, they gave me back my coat but asked for $2 for the coat check. The atmosphere looks more like a bar than an actual restaurant. They need to re-do the decor, to make it look more ethnic, rather than a cabaret.

The food was good, but the house-infused vodkas we wanted to try were not available. We have been surprised to see on the menu the minimum charge of $25 per person, and there is also a charge for the coat check... which is mandatory during winter.

We went to the Russian Samovar to celebrate after my daughter's master's recital. It was my first time in a Russian restaurant--but it won't be my last. The atmosphere is festive, the music is great. The pianist was most accomodating and played Russian and Classical melodies. There is an impressive list of flavored vodka--you've got to try the vodka. Borscht was supurb, appetizers were incredible, Chicken Kiev and Kasha were out of this world. The others in our party were equally impressed with their meals. It was a memorable experience!