Russian Tea Room - NYC

Review summary

1. J

   Julia

   Yorkshire

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I took my daughter today as a special treat - we didn’t spend much - we shared the bakery basket and I had a glass of champagne - but even so our waiter treated us like we were spending just as much as richer clients - not always the case in some nice places. Thank you to all staff who made us so welcome. We would highly recommend.
   

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2. P

   Pam

   VIP

   New York City

   42 reviews

   3.0

   42 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Sadly only the grand decor lives up to our memories of The Russian Tea Room. And, some of the decor (especially downstairs by the bathrooms) is looking tired. But not the upstairs Bear room, it shines and we did love the fish filled giant, spinning bear! We went with very high hopes for a special meal. While we remembered special family memories of meals there long ago, we will not be fondly recalling this meal or the service which was almost non existent. Cold food and near invisible caviar top our list of disappointments today. I wish had had glowing reviews, but other than marveling at the lavish first level and newly redone upstairs decor (hello giant bear filled with fish, you were a highlight!), we don’t have many fond things to say. The tea was delightful, but sadly everything on the lovely tea trays was very tired and cold. Go for a drink at the bar where you will get your fill and pass on the meal. One more sad note, the coat check experience was a low point. Our coats were mixed up with another groups and they were given our things. We were told that was because coats were never hung up (!!) and our bags would still be there had we not gone to retrieve them ourselves.
   

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3. H

   Heather

   Hawaii

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful venue! We loved the atmosphere with the indoor light tree and the juggling near fish tank!
   

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4. D

   Doug

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, ambience and service in an iconic NYC restaurant
   

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5. C

   Courtney

   Baltimore

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   From the moment we walked in we were in the way. We were told upon check in we would not be seated until our exact time (we were about 10 min early). Then we were seated 15 min late. Had to stand in the hallway where a hostess ran up and down the stairs carrying large bundles of coats so much that she was sweating. The temperature inside was about 90 degrees. We had to take off clothes down to our t-shirts. Drinks (must soda) took 20 min and were charged per drink 10$. That’s even high for NYC! 10$ soda? The food was just ok, not what I was expecting from such an icon.
   

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6. S

   Sara

   Toronto

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Was late to seat us even with a reservation. Terrible service. Forgot our drinks twice! Overall forgot about our table over and over again. Food was cold and lacked flavour. It was a waste of an evening.
   

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7. D

   David

   VIP

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Best caviar and beef stroganoff I have ever had. Georgian dumplings blew me away. Perfect after theatre destination!!
   

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8. d

   debra

   New York City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I’ve walked by the RTR for the last 26 years…finally went today and man was it amazing! Perfect brunch spot and remarkably affordable!
   

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9. B

   Beth

   VIP

   New York City

   8 reviews

   3.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Overall place was nice and average price for being in nyc , at first our server was great friendly informative until we questioned the “clotted cream” then it went downhill , it was not clotted cream it was whipped cream then the second attempt was whipped cream no sugar , it wasn’t the end of the world that it was not actual clotted cream it was the servers indignant attitude that changed the experience and for that reason I probably wouldn’t go back .
   

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10. J

    Jessica

    Toronto

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4

    The atmosphere was great, and it’s a beautiful place to visit. The food was just ok though, prices were high for what you got, and we waited a very, very long time for our food. We had a reservation at the earliest seating (11am) and the restaurant was not busy at that time. We ordered tea, a mimosa and pastries to start, and ordered our mains at the same time. The drinks and pastries came quickly, but we had to ask about our mains after an hour of being there. It was 12:40 by the time we got our mains (1 order of pancakes and 1 eggs Benedict). The food was fine, but just that. Nothing special at all, and it was very expensive for what it was. (It was $140 for breakfast for 2). The waiter was friendly but absent after our initial order and since we had been there so long and the restaurant was getting busy, they started to rush us right after our meal came. It was a nice place to experience, and beautiful decor, but we didn’t feel it was worth the money.
    

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