Uncle Vanya Cafe

Recommends

camun

Joined 5 years ago

I love this place.... Uncle Vanya's is really cozy and a great place for an intimate drink with a date or a fun time with friends. The food is really good and it just seems like I meet yet another friendly New Yorker every time I go. I'm really glad there is still a place like this in NYC. It seems like there are way too many up-tight bars/restaurants popping up all over this island. THIS is NOT one of those places! I'll definitely be back soon...

Recommends

plushkanyc

Joined 7 years ago

My Favorite Place. Uncle Vanya is like going back to my host family's house in Russia. It isn't meant to be a gormet experience - its home cooking as you will find in a typical Russian home on a special occasion. The service is different than in American restaurants, because it isn't American. I found the servers to be quite nice, since they put up with me trying to speak Russian! I've been a ton of times and the food is consistantly good and cheap. Its comfort food in a cozy atmosphere. My favorites include the salat olivier, pelmeni, shashlik (kabobs) and I always end with the Russian tea service (tea w/jam). A lovely place!

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fotomaniak

Joined 8 years ago

liked it. Food tasted good. I like the atmosphere. Service is ok too.

Recommends

jenibetts

Joined 9 years ago

Quaint Place. I really enjoyed my visit to Uncle Vanya. The atmosphere reminds me of my time in Russia and the food was sufficient. Anyplace that brings you a heaping bowl of sour cream is on the top of my list. I already have plans to return.

Doesn't Recommend

taksa

Joined 10 years ago

Back to USSR. I do not understand how anyone who doesn't have pre-1980s culinary experiences in the USSR would find much of value in this long-lasting cafe. The greasy, salty and overcooked food here is a nostalgic reminder of Soviet era restaurants and many home-cooked meals. My standard herring appetizer came with a large pile of very oily and salty potatoes, first boiled and then fried. The pelmeni were stuffed with rubbery little nuggets of mystery meat. The blini were thinner than a crepe, almost transparent, and also oily. And yes, the service was indifferent, to say the least. For quality Russian walk 2 blocks to the Russian Samovar, but be prepared to spend a lot more cash than at the very cheap Uncle Vanya.

Recommends

mirdreams

Joined 11 years ago

Real Russian. The late, lamented, Russian Tea room this is not but Uncle Vanya's decor and food has a lot of charm. Its waitstaff on the other hand does not. But it's cheap and very filling so go anyway.