The Russian Tea Room

My last visit to RTR was in 1981. I had truly great memories and wanted to return even in the face of the critics. The place itself is still beautiful i it is this that you are paying. Downstairs the sinks were not cleaned and the passageway with cabinets of wine and little items to buy had worn carpeting and missing light bulbs. The food reminds one of the o;d Graucho Marx joke: Such average food...and such small portions! The appetizers are small to tiny. The soups are pleasant at best. The borscht is just not the same. The chestnut soup should could come from a can. The "Gravlaax" is so small (and meaningless in taste) that it couldn't cover half a bagel. The shastlick, skewers of meat and chicken did not equal street shish kabob. The Veal Orloff was good. The coulibiac was embarassing. The chicken kiev may have been frozen. The chocolate mousse pyramide was so small it equaled the size of a large ring - at $18. Coffee at $8 a cup; sodas at $5. Total for 4 with a very pleasant Mercurey at a pleasant $60; tax and tip included $570 - outrageous. I've heard that the place is now owned by a real estate guy from the Bronx. He is doing to his customers what he has done to his tenants.

I had dinner with a good friend there recently. Everything was outstanding: the decor, the service, the presentation, and the quality of the food. I will definitely be going back in the future.

A month ago we stopped after Carnegie Hall to have Borscht and Perogek. It was sensational but not traditional, more nouvelle. I'm a third generation RTR diner and I've seen many different chefs come and go. The soup price was silly - $19. each just for soup. The prix fixe menus look more worthwhile. The Post critic just panned the restaurant, but we feel it's better than that - only the prices need to be more realistic.

I dined here for Restaurant weekand everything was top notch. The borscht, chicken kiev and chocolate pyramid were exceptional and the service was even better, attentive to every detail, even bringing me extra cookies when she overheard it was my birthday. I'd definitely go back, restaurnt week or not.

After 2 or 3 inquiries about hosting a holiday luncheon at the RTR, my boss decided that it was time to give RTR a try. In the past we had parties at Daniel, Le Bernardin, the 21 Club, etc. On December 18, 2009, we had approximately 120 people for lunch. I must say this was the best holiday luncheon ever. The restaurant is beautiful. The food and drinks were great and the staff did a great job in making everyone feel so welcome. I highly recommend this restaurant to any large or small corporation who may be looking to host a great holiday party or luncheon. Also, I must say the banquet manager was very easy to get along with and did an outstanding job. I am making plans for a holiday luncheon in December 2010.

I ate here last night and was anticipating the meal. While the wait staff was cordial and accommodating; the wine list was wonderful - the food was fair at best. The portions was small and the tables are crowded together and intimate conversation is impossible. This restaurant is definitely a tourist trap and I will not be going back.

I took my parents to the tea room, and was a little nervous after reading a bad review about the wine list and service, but we had a fantastic dinner. The food especially the beef stroganoff was very good, the wine list was extensive, and the sommelier was lovely. He acknowledged there had been "issues" previously but he made it a point that every wine on the list had to be in stock or the list had to be reprinted. We had a decent rioja, their "special" wine, for a very reasonable $40. My one disappointment was the chocolate fondue, which had very little substance, but everything else was perfect. And we asked to see the famous bear aquarium, and although that floor was closed, a very kind host took us upstairs and turned on all the lights for our viewing. Overall, it was a fabulous evening.