It might be cold and snowy outside in NYC, but it’s hot inside at Moscow 57.
This restaurant/nightlife spot at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge has a friendly, cabaret atmosphere.
Opened nearly a year ago, Moscow 57 faced a bumpy start. They did not have gas during their first 7 months due to challenges with Con Ed. Thankfully, they survived and will hopefully continue to thrive thanks to being in the hands of an expert.
Owner Ellen Kaye is a veteran in the restaurant and entertainment biz. Her parents owned the famous Russian Tea Room from 1947 to 1996. She is also an accomplished singer who performs regularly at Moscow 57, among other talented artists. Partner, Ethan Fein, is also Ellen’s accompanist and musical director.
The third partner, Seth Goldman, is also the executive chef who created the menu. I had the pleasure of sampling a number of appetizers. There were delicious items like rose petal and mint yogurt with pomegranate, eggplant caviar on black bread, and blinis (buckwheat pancakes). My personal favorite was the Kupati flatbread with Georgian sausage, similar to pizza- cheesy, smoky and positively addicting.
The décor and menu is inspired by Russia. The space includes dramatic red walls and beautiful mosaic light fixtures. The set up for performances is slightly awkward with no actual stage but at least the artists are visible from wherever you sit in this intimate space.
The music runs the gamut of jazz, R&B, blues, rock, and world music. The night of my visit included a showcase of artists. Ellen Kaye, Grace Garland, and Cleve Douglas dished up jazz and blues from the soul. The lovely trio, the Moody Garlands, harmonized popular music cleverly and effortlessly.
If you want to truly feel like you have been transported to Russia, here are some tips. I recommend ordering a signature drink, a Moscow mule, (made by a super pleasant and informative bartender Katie) or one of their infused vodkas. Then, visit on a night when accordionist Yuri Lemeshev is performing. Lemeshev is highly entertaining as he wanders the restaurant bringing smiles to each table and those seated at the bar. You will feel like you have travelled far minus the annoying jetlag.
Check out the Moscow 57 site for their weekly entertainment lineups and join this party down on Delancey Street.