Do partiers really order Russian specialties like beef stroganoff and borscht?
Not too many. People are shy about eating because they’re with groups or friends; you don’t want to be the only one eating chicken Kiev. Did the ban on Beluga caviar affect business? There was a big record producer who’d show up in a Hummer limo with a different girl every night. His tab would be $1,000 in two minutes. He stopped coming. What do actual Russians make of the place? Sometimes you get Russians that are like, “Why are you dressed like that? Because you think Russians dress like that?” I say, “No, this is just a Russian-themed place. This isn’t Brighton Beach.” I do get people who start speaking to me in Russian and are disappointed I’m not Russian. How well do you know the dozens of vodkas on the menu? Any favorites? The bartenders have loved Stoli Gold forever. Then there’s Zubrowka — it’s infused with bison grass. I’d recommend it with apple juice. We all love Cristiana, it’s very smooth, and Reyka from Iceland. We have a premium vodka called Jewel of Russia Ultra for $16
