Renowned for its bold décor and fine cuisine, the Russian Tea Room has been delighting guests in Midtown Manhattan for over 82 years. Here are some fun facts you may not know about New York City’s most beloved and iconic restaurant.
Founded by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927, the Russian Tea Room has been a destination for the intellectual elite and personalities in the entertainment industry.
Madonna worked coat check. Before she found fame, the "Queen of Pop" worked as a Russian Tea Room coat-check clerk.
It’s featured in Tootsie, the 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman. Michael, played by Hoffman, confronts his agent George, played by Sydney Pollack, over lunch in one of the restaurant’s famous red leather booths.
Gossip Girl filmed an episode of its second season there. "The Wrath of Con" features scenes filmed with Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, and Michelle Trachtenberg in the main dining room, front bar, and memorable front entrance with its antique etched-glass revolving door and uniformed attendant.
Three stories of lush elegance sit atop the iconic first floor dining room. Known for its main dining room’s intimate leather banquettes, did you know three stories of upper floor event space feature a 15-foot revolving bear aquarium and a stained-glass ceilinged ballroom?
The Russian Tea Room is now open for a sensory dining experience. Experience a New York City Institution. Reserve today.
This post is brought to you by our sponsor, The Russian Tea Room.
