The Russian Vodka Room

This place has a history.

In the 80's, my father used to frequent this well-hidden gem. Back then, it was a front for the Russian mob. Holding meetings and shaking hands over caviar and Bellinis is pretty gangster. History or not, this place makes some of the greatest food, infuses the best vodka around, and is appropriate for any occasion.

Meeting someone here can be a daunting task since discretion was the apex of importance when the place was created. The outside of the bar is midnight black and covered by a small awning, just large enough to fit 2 people (keep in mind: The design of this place was well crafted so it doesn't draw attention from anyone. The crime that went through here was serious. Not the half-asses plotting Boris and Natasha would concoct to catch the moose and the flying rat). The entrance is usually littered with 2-4 Russians slurring their words, all smoking feverishly. You walk into an always crowded bar with a piano oddly placed so you almost cannot walk by without knocking the Russian pianist's elbow. To your left, is about 5-7 tables against the wall, opposite the bar and straight ahead is "the back room."

This back room was where the mob meetings and deals were hosted. sheltered by only a thick grey curtain (which mainly stays open now) was a collection of larger tables in an area that boasts a bit more space than in the front room. When smoking was banned in the city of New York, they would close the curtain and puff away amidst a circus of other illegal activities.

Today, the popularity of this dimly lit piano bar has wiped out most traces of criminality... Kind of like that Woody Allen film Small Time Crooks, where Ray (Woody Allen) and his friends want to lease an old restaurant so they can tunnel from the basement of the restaurant to a nearby bank. Frenchy (Tracey Ullman) covers what they are doing by selling cookies from the restaurant. The bank robbery scheme is a miserable failure, but after they franchise the business, selling cookies makes them millionaires.

So the history is rich... Why visit? Not because of their savory potato pancakes with smoked salmon and a light cream sauce; not because of their strawberries in a rich, warm chocolate sauce; not because of their assortment of pickled veggies (Russians chase vodka shots with pickled veggies); not for any or all of these savory and sweet treats. After all, it is called the Russian Vodka Room, right?

This watering hole boast the largest selection of vodkas I have ever seen including their famous house infused vodkas which can be seen above the coat rack when you walk in (It looks like a lab experiment from the 1800's).

Cranberry vodka is the greatest thing ever. It is the only flavor I mess with after trying the flight of shots (6 different flavors of your choice). Served in a large or small carafe the shape of a heart, this beautiful elixir is art that you consume. Be careful, it is

so smooth you wont realize that you are potentially ruining tomorrow morning by having a few too many.

Cheesy Sign Off:

This traveling duo knows that no one stumbles out of the RVR without being satisfied. So we raise our glass and shout "Nostrovia!" to one of the greatest drinking establishments EVER.

Regular Sign Off:

Go drink their vodka!