Location:
Cuisine: Russian Fusion
Average Cost: 0 for 1 appetizer 2 entrees 2 cocktails and 1 dessert
Best Dish: Who knew stuffed cabbage could make such an amazing meal?
Overall: Lush opulent atmosphere with amazing cuisine and hearty portions, bring your appetite!
On an average evening when dining out, rarely does Russian cuisine make it to the forefront of our options. I can not recall ever being amped up about or craving a Russian meal, but today is a new day. Today I know better. Thanks to some good friends in high places a companion and I were treated to a marvelous meal at west village eatery, Onegin. The luxurious space is inspired by the work of Aleksandr Pushkin, one of the most celebrated the authors of Russia’s Romantic era. The space is the very picture of luxury, the furnishings and walls are the result of a grand vision. Much of the furniture was crafted specifically for the space, and the walls and tables features hand drawn quotes from the famed poet. I was so taken by the decor I barely heard the hostess as she ushered us to our table. We were given a corner table in full view of the gritty New York street, a sharp contrast to the decadent surroundings of the restaurant. Our server Sergii gave us the warmest of greetings and introduced us to shots of the in house infused vodka. Not only do they make amazing meals, the staff is also responsible for a bevy of specialty vodkas made on the premises. As we sipped the vodka we glanced over the expansive menu of modern Russian fare. Picking a starter was no easy, but as luck would have it our waiter was an expert and offered his assistance. We left our palates in his capable hands and waited patiently for his options.
We began our journey with a sprinkling of starters. Sergii brought over several of their best appetizers, The Olivier Salad is a traditional potato salad made with eggs, mayonnaise, vegetables and ham. At Onegin the often sodium laden ham is replaced with smoked chicken.
Next we tried the Oysters Rockefeller, a generous helping of oysters baked with creamed spinach and leeks topped with a divine Parmesan crust. This is one of the few American dishes available on the menu.
When visiting Onegin you must have the stuffed cabbage. This dish is a staple among eastern Europeans and often found filled with minced meat and topped with sauce and or sour cream. This is arguably one of the best appetizers we’ve had in some time. It is meaty and savory a meal in itself!
With all the rich items on the table we welcomed the light palate cleansing “Laurdon”, a tasty frisee salad. This light airy greens are covered with a drizzle of vinaigrette poached egg yolk and loads of crispy bacon. While this may be a French dish it was right at home among the Russian treats.
Despite Onegin offering mostly Russian specialties the chef also prepares some classic dishes from other cultures to add a bit more variety. One of the more surprising offerings was an updated shrimp cocktail featuring jumbo grilled tiger shrimp brushed with pesto and a tomato based cocktail sauce.
As we waited for our entrees we were treated to another round of shots. This time around I had the fragrant strawberry vodka, and my companion attempted the strongest offering the horseradish vodka. Though my good friend is an accomplished aficionado of all thing alcohol he was no match for the strong fluid.
Our trio of entrees arrived with expert timing, we dove right into the Pozharsky Cutlets. The cutlets are made up of ground chicken & veal and served with a side of Mashed Potatoes. The rich and creamy mashed potatoes and crispy cutlets are a familiar combination but the flavors are fresh and new. The cutlets are an explosion of savory and crunch a really flavor packed dish, a far cry from frozen the frozen tasteless chicken fingers we are accustomed to.
Next we sampled the ultimate in Russian comfort food, the Zharkoe. The Zharkoe is a hearty beef stew filled with root vegetables and thick broth. This stew is prepared in a traditional brick oven and served in a clay pot. This bubbling brown stew is a great way to warm up as well as fill up on tasty veggies and protein packed beef.
Lastly we enjoyed the grilled lamb chops. The succulent morsels were served with a nutty couscous and a gravy boat of delicious Au Jus.
No meal is complete without a sweet treat, we simply had to have a slice of the moist and decadent honey cake as well as the Halva parfait with Cashews and Hazelnuts.
Do not miss your opportunity to dine like royalty, not only is it beautiful the food is incredible and worth the price. If you’re more of a drinker you will enjoy the many flavors of house infused vodkas. The options range from citrus to horseradish , a flavor for every drinker. In addition to the plush surroundings and delicious offerings the venue also has private dining available for your special events as well as a DJ in the main room on weekends. Take the road less traveled and treat yourself to something exciting and new. If you’ve had Russian before visit and enjoy your favorites in a new and exciting way. If you are new to Russian, give it a try and we are sure you’ll be googling recipes to bring that flavor home.
All Food Images were taken with the Samsung Galaxy Note II.