The Russian Tea Room — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

150 W 57th St btw 6th and 7th Aves, Midtown West

By Gracie Brahimy, Guest Writer

The Place: An iconic NYC restaurant and bar dating back to 1927. This dazzling and glitzy establishment was founded by the Russian Imperial Ballet and has since been a favorite of many celebrities and socialites.

The Time: Wednesday December 13 at 1:30pm. I’m here to enjoy some gluten-free afternoon tea on my 33rd birthday, because what better way to celebrate than confidently sitting by myself and sipping tea at one of New York’s most glamorous spots!

The Vibe: From the moment I step through the front doors, I feel an overwhelming sense of awe. The Russian Tea Room is nothing short of stunning. One of the few perks of being born so close to Christmas is that restaurants and bars go all out on holiday decor. Before the hostess can even take my name, I land in front of a marvelously decorated tree that stops me in my tracks. This is enhanced by the space’s unique design; vibrant green walls with a wavy design reminiscent of Russia’s Winter Palace, and deep red carpets and booths. I feel like I’ve been transported to New York’s (or possibly Russia’s?!) Golden Age.

I’m seated by a friendly hostess in a booth on the left-hand side of the restaurant, facing the center. (Admittedly, I was hoping to be seated here, not only because it has a fantastic view of the space, but because my grandparents frequented the Russian Tea Room and this was their favorite booth!)

The restaurant is only partially full. It looks like many of the other patrons are tourists visiting the city, with matching Santa hats on (sigh!). But there are some unmistakable fellow New Yorkers here too, asking where the caviar is from in their thick New York accents.

The Bartender: I’m attended to by a middle aged man, dressed in the Russian Tea Room’s iconic uniform: a black button down classic dress shirt and red tie. His old world decorum adds to the timelessness of the place. He efficiently answers the many questions I have and is accommodating to my gluten-free dietary restriction.

The Drank: As a no-alcohol babe, I order an alcohol-free cider. I’m admittedly not a huge cider fan, but it is the only non-alcoholic option for the drink included on the afternoon tea menu. That said, it is hands down the most delicious cider I have EVER had. With each sip, I am refreshed with a deep flavor of apples and cinnamon. Served in a champagne glass, I still feel like I am drinking something as special as champagne. It is so good that I actually toasted myself. I’m also, of course, served tea, so I order a fabulous rooibos tea, which although a very different vibe, pairs nicely with the cider. I sip on both cider and tea as I gobble down some tea sandwiches, which are appropriately Russian themed with lox and other smoked fish. I particularly enjoy the sliced cucumbers with a sprinkling of black caviar on top. The whole array has me feeling like a princess enjoying my afternoon tea in my very own Russian palace!

Was I Hit On?: Yes and no. The server does at one point tell me he likes my dress. Innocent? Probably. Is it a bit strange for an older man to compliment a woman’s outfit? I’d say so. Though I think he means well, it does make me momentarily uncomfortable. He is otherwise very professional, so I’m willing to write this one off as a well-intentioned slip up.

I also notice that there is a man whose job seems to be more security focused. He frequently looks in my direction and smiles. When I’m walking out, I see him start to walk towards me and think, “oh god, here we go.” He mutters something to me that is hard to hear, though I do catch “keep it up!” at the very end. I take a moment as I put my coat on and head out the fancy front doors to piece together what he may have said. The optimist in me hopes he was commenting on my friendly character (because I know I’m charming!) but my inner voice suspects he may have said something more to do with my appearance, which of course is slightly icky. Because I can’t confirm either way, I decide to also shrug this one off as a blip.

Neither the comment by the server or the guard’s garbled remark at the end took away from what was otherwise a very special experience, and I leave the Russian Tea Room with a pleased pep in my step.

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Why not! I would certainly go back to enjoy a lavish afternoon tea by myself again. It felt like a real treat and part of that was being able to enjoy the experience fully with myself. Because the prices are (well) more than your average NYC restaurant/bar, I would suggest coming here for special occasions only. And although I’m sure it’s delightful all year round, if you want to enjoy the added bonus of an elegantly decorated Christmas tree with Russian doll ornaments, then I’d certainly suggest getting your winter wonderland on at the Russian Tea Room!

Gracie Brahimy is a born and bred New Yorker currently living in Brooklyn. She is the creator of the podcast ArtMuse, which tells the stories of the women pictured in famous works of art.