Erich Holzapfel

Review of The Russian Tea Room

Last week, on Valentine's Dy, I fulfilled a long-t...

Last week, on Valentine's Dy, I fulfilled a long-time desire to dine at the Russian Tea Room. I had been forewarned that the usual pre/post theater rate of $65.00 would be increased to $125.00. As I later found out the additional $60.00 bought nothing and the appetizer, entree and desert were hardly worth $125.00. The last time I enjoyed beef stroganoff was at the Grand Hotel Europe in Saint Petersburg. With memories of that delicious meal I order the same entree on 14 Feb. I have never seen this dish prepared as it was that evening: a 'loaf" of shredded beef, perhaps 3 inches long and two inches high atop the usual noodles with very scant gravy. The beef was thoroughly cooked and had not at all the usual tasty flavors of a true stroganoff. It was a great disappointment. To drink I had ordered a vodka cocktail and an half bottle of wine. With tax and tip my bill came to $237.00 which exceeded greatly the food ordered as well as the sorry service. In a restaurant of this supposedly high category (and the prices certainly reflect that), I needed to ask for a refill of my water glass. Bread and butter was served but I was not ask if I would care for another. My only conclusion must be that the Russian Tea Room is resting on laurels earned many years ago.In my experience, there are restaurants to which one happily returns---unfortunately the Russian Tea Room is not one.