The Russian Tea Room

The Russian Tea Room

A: 150 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA | E: [email protected]

T: (212) 581-710

You may have heard about it, you may have even seen it in a few movies, but the Russian Tea Room is something you must experience in person.  With its colourful green, gold and red interior, it’s kitsch, it’s gaudy, it’s loud and it’s ornate.  Ok, so you wouldn’t exactly furnish a new establishment this flamboyantly these days, but the Russian Tea Room is one the list of iconic places to visit in Manhattan for its history (which is as colourful as its interior) and its over the top grandness, Russian style.

Russian Tea Room

Kusmi Tea

It was with much anticipation that I sat down for some tea.  I couldn’t go past one of my favourite teas, ‘Anastasia’ by Kusmi Tea from Paris:  This tea is described by Kusmi as being a “Russian blend of China and Ceylon teas with scents of bergamot, lemon, lime and orange blossom.”  Indeed it had a delicious citrus perfume, its beautiful scent far stronger than its more delicate taste (don’t over steep the tea as the tea may become bitter; properly infused this tea blend is well balanced and delightful).

The Russian Tea Room serves its teas with ‘varenya’.  Varenya is a sweet and sour cherry preserve/syrup that Russians put into their tea (usually instead of sugar).  Actually, the varenya well complimented the Anastasia tea and enhanced its citrusy taste.   I couldn’t resist and ordered the New York cheesecake too!  Hey, when in Rome…!

Tea & cheese cake @ the Russian Tea Room

I was promptly served and the waitress was very knowledgeable.  Loved the white linen and silverware too.  The tea was exceptional (even if served in a tea bag), the service was brilliant, the overall experience was fabulous!