The Premium Life

The bright lights of Times Square – to visitors it’s considered heaven in the center of Manhattan – to locals it’s hell on earth. Tourists from every part of the world congregate in the land of adult Disneyland to stare at stupid shit, chow at chain restaurants that turn rats into sushi and buy knock-off handbags from men who convince you it just “fell off the back of a truck.” Real or fake, nothing screams visitor louder than a Coach bag! I’m not going to completely diss the square – I’ve both lived and worked there and I honestly think Herald Square is a bit more maddening (I currently work here and break out into hives on an hourly basis) – but the trick to the square is to know where to go and when!

Stroll down Broadway at 7pm on a Friday and run the risk of getting arrested … you’ll eventually lose your mind and shove someone out of your way and into the path of a speeding cab. If you walk down that same street at midnight on a Monday night in January you’ll own it (aside from New Year’s Eve – I’d rather be in jail), but you’ll also turn into an ice sculpture. I lived in Times Square for four years, not exactly on Broadway, but I was so close that I would have to show proof of residency in order to get into my apartment on New Year’s Eve and one year the cops STILL wouldn’t let me in at all so I went to a local bar on 9th Avenue and drowned my “I’m never getting married” sorrows in a Grey Goose martini with my roommate. We eventually picked ourselves up after that never-exciting ball came crashing down and walked over to our favorite little hole in the wall on 52nd street and 8th Avenue, the Russian Vodka Room.

I’m not sure who introduced me to the Vodka Room – might’ve been one of the 8,000 men I’ve dated in NYC (and I’m still single) – or we might’ve simply stumbled upon it in a drunken stupor one evening when we were dodging out-of-towners. Either way, it’s pretty rare that anyone ever seems to remember leaving the RVR. This diamond in the rough, no-frills bar/restaurant is a bit reminiscent of someone’s basement, equipped with a piano player. The dark entryway leads you into a world full of Russians speaking Russian – guaranteed you’ll feel like a foreigner in your own country. Russian mobsters, wannabe supermodels and suits escaping the office line the mahogany bar to drink Batika 3 beer while slurping on delicious borscht and sucking down vodka shots. As someone with a Ukrainian background I’m embarrassed to say that I had never tried borscht before the Vodka Room and now I eat this beet soup every time I go there. It makes the dead-of-winter chills a little more bearable. Read more »

Sometimes it is fun and more of an experience to spread a night amongst a few restaurants to sample a range of styles and ambiences in the same category of cuisine. We did exactly that…

There are a number of authentic Russian restaurants tucked away in the theatre district. We bopped to a few restaurants to taste, smell and sip the differences. Our first destination was Firebird situated on restaurant row (46th between 8th and 9th) which in itself is quite an area to visit. The street is lined with brownstones and café after café from every part of the world. When we entered the restaurant you feel like you were transported to a dazzling townhouse in St. Petersburg in the 1900s. The opulent decor sets the tone for the decadence your senses will soon embark. The selection of Russian vodkas was immense lining the entire mahogany bar like stout soldiers. We had Tom, the knowledgeable bartender and the owner of Firebird guide, us to the “jewels” in the sea of vodkas.

We sampled four brands: Czar’s Gold which is served at the Kremlin. Only 300 cases are produced a year. The taste was smooth and rich with a clean full aftertaste. Czar’s Village (which was our favorite) was ultra smooth and complimented the caviars beautifully. Jewel of Russia Ultra was superb as well. Only 5000 cases are produced per year and the bottles have an etched image of a Russian folktale. The final specialty vodka we tried was the Imperia which is more accessible but truly delicious; Crisp, smooth and when served ice cold… remarkably refreshing.

Although the food menu seemed tempting we had a mission– to experience superb vodka and of course Caviar. We ordered two types of caviar. The Hackleback (domestic), was rich in color, sweet with a mild finish. The Golden Osetra (imported) are rare golden eggs that deliver an earthy, nutty and fruity flavor. There is a luxurious dining room on the third floor for private parties.

The next spot we checked out was Russian Samovar. I chose it on the basis on reading from positive reviews and that they had live music. When arriving at the restaurant it felt rather close, gritty, and sans live music. We stuck with it and gave it a shot…literally. There were a variety of infused vodkas ranging from blueberry and pineapple to pepper and horseradish. The mistake was attempting the food. The fish plate was average served to us like we were at a diner on the side of the road. The chicken kiev was far from authentic lacking spices, the creamy interior and flavor. There is a place for everyone’s taste and style and that is why there are choices. But Russian Samovar was not mine. On to the final Russian destination of our Russian sampling.

We popped across the street to The Russian Vodka Room where I immediately felt like it was an ideal representation of a pub/jazz lounge in Russia. It had a totally different vibe then the opulence of Firebird and the grit of Russian Samovar. It was dark and cozy, bustling with regulars enjoy the array of infused vodkas and authentic Russian dishes, and an older man was at the piano playing Russian folk and jazz.

In addition to the 100 plus list of vodkas, The RVR also has their own selection of infused vodkas: Cranberry, Peach & apricot, Apple cinnamon, Garlic, pepper & dill, Coriander, Raspberry, Strawberry, Horseradish, Tarragon, and Ginger cased in large glass jugs.

I couldn’t resist trying the classic Russian dish that my grandma prepares kasha and mushrooms. It was warm and hardy. The mushrooms were moist prepared in a light cream sauce which blended nicely with the texture of the grain. The servers were attentive, the energy was lively, and I would be interested in sampling more of the highly rated picks: Gravlax with Potato Pancakes, Duck Liver Plate with Cognac, Lamb Shanks Braised In Red Wine with Junipers and Rosemary, and Chicken Shnitzel with Dill Butter and Potatoes.

The night was a true Russian extravaganza! The plan to experience a few places in one neighborhood with the same cuisine added a thrilling twist to the adventure while never leaving the city. If you need any assistance planning your next experience feel free to contact us at www.premiumlg.com