The Russian Tea Room, a New York City Icon
2009-11-10 4:12
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“The Russian Tea Room was founded right here on 57th Street, next to Carnegie Hall in 1927.”
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“It’s such a prime location, the Russian Tea Room became an icon in the city.”
The Russian Tea Room is known for its architecture and ambiance. It was built by immigrants from the Russian Imperial Ballet and has a distinct and unique feel.
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“When you are looking around the main dining room, a lot of what you will see, number one is the red booth catch your eye, number two will see a lot of the artwork.”
In the 90s it underwent a massive renovation.
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“They made the first floor exactly how it used to be. Upstairs we’ve opened up a completely wild and magical floor on the second floor where we have a 15 foot bear aquarium with gold fish swimming; we have a 25 foot golden tree that came out of the ground with… eggs, there is a beautiful mosaic of glass on the walls, it’s a truly magnificent and magical space.”
It’s also a hang out for celebrities and VIPs.
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“Every agent who’s been in Hollywood, in New York, used to have its own reserved booth.”
And is frequented by world leaders.
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“Politicians, presidents, prime ministers, we’ve had everybody from Hillary Clinton’s birthday party to the president of Iraq eating in the main dining room.”
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“During the campaign in 2008… President Obama was speaking at the Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf and he was poking fun at Sarah Palin, who claimed that she could see Russia from her house in Alaska and he talked about at the dinner how excited he was to stay at the Waldorf because from the steps of the Waldorf he could see the Russian Tea Room.”
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“Russian Tea Room is really almost like a second home to them and they came here and they have business to do or they have clients to entertain and they want to be able to came and be treated like a complete VIP.”
With its American, French and Russian influenced cuisine, what can you expect after a visit to this historical venue?
[Ken Biberaj, Vice President, Russian Tea Room]:
“Whether you are a world leader, or an actor, you know, or a politician, you’ll remember the Russian Tea Room, it’s a real iconic New York experience.”
Andres Auzunbud, NTD, New York.
