Veselka

To echo so many reviewers, I used to come here all the time and for the first time in a while came back yesterday. Now I join the growing chorus of disappointed patrons. We were ignored by the staff for 8 minutes after being seated then finally got glasses of water. We ordered the combo plates and the soups arrived tepid and the pierogis had hardly any filling. The only tasty thing on my plate was the small dipping of caramelized onions. What happened to this place? It used to be so good. Ruined by success and customers who don't know the difference, I suppose. Not planning to return.

I live and eat in the east village all the time. The quality of food is okay but seems to be slipping. Perhaps I came on a busy day but the pierogis were not what they used to be. Recipe changed or person making them changed? Anyway they were off. I got the deluxe meat plate and just got half a kielbasa sausage, they cut the damn thing lengthwise. Price has gone up and the portion has gone down. I am afraid this place is losing its appeal.

Good Ukrainian-meets-hipster food

On my way to Veselka last night I read the reviews below, and was afraid Veselka might have deteriorated. Veselka was delicious! It is still excellent in every way. I don't understand what provoked the comments below--the borscht remained superb, still the most flavorful in the city--and everything else was as good as ever. I'm glad I ignored the negative reviews below and went back to this old favorite place of mine.

Had the BEST dinner there last night! Had an awesome waiter named John who was super helpful since I am gluten free and enjoyed every bite of my stuffed cabbage in an amazing tomato sauce! My mom had the borscht and potato pancakes and couldn't wait to call my grandma in florida and brag about the dinner!! We will definitely be back! A+ rating in my book!

We used to go all the time. Every year they have a special Thanksgiving dinner for vegetarians as well. And every year it got worse. They'd give you the veg sides, without a centerpiece, not even a portobello mushroom. We'd tell the owner, and he seemed to care, but it kept slipping and we just stopped. They jacked the prices way up and don't like it anymore if you ask for the simplest substitutions. I mean, who cares if you prefer a spinach pierogi to a potato one? We miss the jocularity and flexibility of the old ways, wouldn't mind a small price hike, but now this feels like a tourist trap or a destination for the gullible. Pierogis are plumper and a million times better and cheaper at the Stage diner down on the next block. And if you're vegetarian, there really aren't too many incentives left here.

I simply have a hard time accepting how hard this place fell off. What used to be fantastic eats now only brings tears to my eyes, poor food, rude service do yourself a favor and go elsewhere unless you enjoy looking like a hipster who overpays for poor food and poor service.