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Tatiana Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Russian Russian [Edit]
3152 Brighton 6th St(between E Boardwalk & Brightwater Ct)
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Neighborhood: Brighton Beach
(718) 891-5151
- Nearest Transit:
-
Brighton Beach (B, Q)
Ocean Pkwy (Q)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Rochelle S. said: "My visit to Chateau de Alik was an amazing one compared to other russian resturants i've been to. Everything was excellently prepared. The waiters are courteous and friendly. If you are a first generation American with an all…" read more »
53 reviews for Tatiana Restaurant
Review Highlights
"We ate on the Boardwalk and enjoyed a beautiful day on the..."
(in 14 reviews)
"Tons of yummy food and bottles and bottles of vodka."
(in 3 reviews)
"...with UV lights, waterfalls, and a moving dance floor."
(in 7 reviews)
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Jim S.
CANAL STREET, NY
9/20/2011
Excellent Russian food and a fun cultural experience!
(Note the street address is not very useful if you're trying to find the place. Their main entrance is off the boardwalk, and their streetside entrance is on Brightwater Court) -
Review from Lama B.
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am going to preface this review with a disclaimer: I am not Russian and do not know Russian food at all.
There, now that said, I know food very well, and I was beyond disappointed. We had ventured out to Brighton Beach for a lovely day of tanning and splashing around in the Atlantic, and decided to sit on the boardwalk for lunch. My trusted fellow Yelpers voted Tatiana the best and so we passed the rest of the restaurants in favor of the more expensive but supposedly better choice. We were seated and handed menus and with some help from google we managed to order dumplings, potatoes with mushrooms, grilled fish, oysters and the Tatiana salad. The food came out fairly fast, which only led to me being disappointed even faster. The Tatiana salad was drowned in mayonnaise and very bland, while the oysters bordered on funky. The potatoes were limp and oily and required me to reach for the salt shaker which is never a good sign. My striped bass was inedible and I shared Maha's dorade which was marginally better. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the dish tasted instant and the butter sauce was strangely bland...I do not know how they managed to make butter bland, but they did it. The pierogies were decent and tasted like a dessert I used to love back home. We waited 20 minutes for our check, and another ten for her to collect it, making the wait time after our meal longer than the meal itself.
In short, maybe we just didnt know what to order, but helas I think I will stick to vodka at Pravda for my Russian experiences. -
Review from Doonya B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/26/2012
went there for lunch. Got the lunch special for 16 dollars included 4 courses the borsht was great the fried fish was nasty the service was ok the waitress smoked at least 3 cigarettes during my meal and the dishes were dirty. very low end during lunch time i imagine nicer for dinner for full priced meals.
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Review from Regina D.
Forest Hills, NY
Updated - 8/24/2011
Just to update, just held my kids birthday party here on Saturday afternoon. Tatiana offered me wonderful lunch option and at least I thought that kids menu was much better then I have recently seen on other 1st Birthday Parties. Lev, manager has delivered absolutely as promissed there were no suprises at all. Staff was very good and professional. Food was good and plenty of it.
A+ to Tatiana and I hope to return soon.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/7/2011
Just celebrated my 33 birthday at Tatiana, as always excellent food, superb service and excellent… Read more »
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Review from Lindsay H.
New York, NY
6/29/2011
My boyfriend of 6 years is Russian, and I have spent many a meal at his parents' house, eating various Russian concoctions that I still don't know the name of. Based off of this, I can say that Tatiana is the real deal, with truly authentic Russian food and ambiance.
We ate on the Boardwalk and enjoyed a beautiful day on the beach. I got the prix-fixe lunch, which consisted of traditional Russian salad and borscht to start, and I chose the fish with mashed potatoes as my entree. They throw in ice cream and tea, all for about $17...it's such a crazy good deal. Everything I had was just excellent, and I had absolutely no complaints.
My boyfriend got this dish which is basically a whole chicken cooked under a brick, and it had the most delicious, crispy skin and moist, juicy meat. It puts Southern fried chicken to shame!
I definitely want to return at night for the entertainment and some vodka! -
Review from Karin G.
2/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ive been to a lot of Russian supper clubs in Brighton Beach. Im not Russian, btw, but have gone with Russian friends and significant others.
They are always an interesting, very unique experience.
Of all of them, in my experience Tatiana's is the most physically nondescript, plain, run down and cheesy in appearance.
I was quite concerned upon entering based on the atmosphere. It is not as big, fancy or elegant as many of the others.
However, the food and the performances were far and away the absolute best I have seen in Brighton beach.
It was an amazing experience. -
Review from Max M.
Manhattan, NY
2/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I came here as a part of a very large formal wedding party. Was I disappointed!
1) The food! So I know that the Tatiana has a reputation for being the best Russian place in Brighton Beach. Maybe it was because we were such a large group, but the food that night was flat out NASTY! They had various raw fish dishes that were laid out in room temperature before any of the guests were seated(probably about 45 minutes). the escargot was notably bland and people started whispering to each other not to eat it. Same thing for the fois gras. By the time the main courses arrived, no one was really interested. For the price that people pay for the Tatiana banquets I expected way more. Also, it isn't like they aren't used to handling parties or crowds of this size. None of this food was overly complicated. Most of it was prepared in advance.
2) The service! Man where they rude! Also, they were bringing out the courses too fast at the start and stacking things on top of each other in a very ghetto fashion.
3) They had all kind of technical difficulties with their equipment, which our party specifically requested ahead of time.
4) I give it two stars just because the show was a trip! WTF was that? and I mean that in the best way possible! I love over the top kitch! -
Review from Lena L.
Brooklyn, NY
9/9/2011
I have been to this place more than once and can honestly say that amongthe Russian restaurants it is one of the best. The food quality is good and it is not the same menu that is served in every other Russian restaurant. The music, singers and dancers create a great experience. My only complaint was that they served the cake too late:)
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Review from Karyna K.
New York, NY
11/3/2010
After sporting my Russian fur hat and changing my name to Glebovishka I entered Tatiana. Not Tatiana Grill or Tatiana Cafe a few yards down, but the one and only TATIANA...(said in a loud & strong Russian accent with the emphasis on the ANA).
Was I still in the US I thought to myself as I sat down surrounded by the Russian language. I had to keep reminding myself that I hadn't boarded an international flight and instead was only a stones throw away from home.
The conglomerate of wheel chaired senior citizens gathered along the boardwalk was a little bizarre. Totally different vibe to Venice Beach boardwalk that's for sure.
Anyhow this was my first Russian experience and although it was a little daunting, I was pleasantly surprised with the taste of the food.
An order of fries covered with garlic and dill was brought to our table and after devouring an entire plate I can now say Russian fries rock!
The country beef stew with potatoes was beautifully presented and tasted amazing. It was served with a side of pickled watermelon which actually tasted like beetroot, and accompanied the rich stew perfectly.
I can't comment on the inside of the restaurant as we sat outside on the boardwalk. If the bright yellow napkins folded into a fan and placed in the water glass is any indication of the decor inside then I'm sure you'll feel as though you were transported to a Russian wedding in the 80's.
But with quality of food like this who cares about the decor....
...next time I'd like my napkin folded into a swan. -
Review from Ken K.
Astoria, NY
11/19/2010
I went to Brighton Beach with an amazement and curiosity of Russian and Ukrainian culture. I left with a desire never to return.
The food at Tatiana was way overpriced. The waitress took one of our drink orders and walked off, ignoring the rest of the table. The service was incredibly slow and refills on our drinks were non-existent. The staff (including bus-boys) may have been rude because we are young (in our 20's - there's a lot of punks on the boardwalk), but this is unacceptable for the money you pay. I ordered chicken kiev, which was good, but not worth the $20 price tag.
We tipped our waitress over 20% and laughed as she all of a sudden became nice and said, "thank you." I'm boycotting Brighton Beach until they learn to start being nice to non-Ukrainians and non-Russians. -
Review from Melissa A.
Los Angeles, CA
9/19/2010
Perfect Summer date, but can't leave the city? A day at Brighton beach, dinner at Tatiana and fireworks/ rides at Luna Park. It really makes you feel like you're not in NYC.
Tatiana over looks the beach, with a relaxing view of the ocean. Its a bit pricey but its cheaper then a trip to Russia/ Ukraine. The staff here is respectful, professional and completely on top of good service. The food has a lot of flavor, takes awhile to make but is worth the price/ wait.
I recommend having desert and a glass of wine here, then taking your coffee to go while you walk on the boardwalk towards the Fireworks (every Friday during the Summer months).
Tatiana is part of the Brighton Beach experience. If you're going to venture all the way down there, Tatiana is worth dropping by to get your little piece of Russia.
Do svidaniya!
Melissa -
Review from Mr. Robert Dobalina S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/18/2009
I rolled up on Tatiana's for a Russian friend's birthday, having NO IDEA I would embark on the thrill of a lifetime. I thought we were meeting him and a few friends for a surprise birthday party at a restaurant.
Restaurant, schmestaurant. More like a Russian wonderland of kitch.
First of all, it's FANCY. They let me in with jeans anyway, but you've been warned. Also, the space is kind of busted with the lights on. But don't worry, the show is about to start. Because once the lights dim, this place is a fantasyland of vodka, wine, and the most campy live show ever.
They seat 8 to a table, which comes stocked with two bottles of vodka and two bottles of wine just to get you started. After you finish those, they bring more. They also bring you more food than a table of eight could ever possibly eat, all of it mediocre: everything from whole tomatoes (random!) to filet, lobster, and everything in between. When we left at 2AM they hadn't served dessert yet, and the party was still going hard.
But the real bonus was the live performance with UV lights, waterfalls, and a moving dance floor. The performers donned alien masks at one point.
If you're looking for a classy establishment, this ain't it. But if you're in the mood for a slice of newly capitalistic post Cold War Europe you have hit the motherload.
Go. Now.Listed in: It's Time to Get the Hell out…, Treat Yourself
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Review from Helen N.
San Francisco, CA
8/27/2008
Mama Mia!
I am not a very Russian Russian. In fact, back in SF, going to a Russian restaurant was very uncool.
I went to Tatiana to celebrate a birthday of a good friend... and had no idea I would fall in love with this incredibly smart and entertaining alternative to 'going out'.
Check it.
You get a table full of amazing home cooked food. Bottles and bottles of vodka, a show of acrobats, dancers, and live music, and later a dance floor. WHY NOT?
this whole experience changed my view of being Russian.
don't get me wrong, i'm not anti iron curtain, but I have definitely lost touch with my Ukrainian roots over the years... -
Review from kathy k.
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, NY
12/4/2008
woo-ho..my dog and I both love this place..great food, great drinks and can sit outside if it's nice out! Late nights however scream Russian mob, they let the really cute girls out in hummer limmo's, (guess the wife is at the casino???)!! True food, wonderful taste, awesome salads..service is great IF they know you.if you don't order a bottle they tend to ignore you here. Fish is the best here, fresh!
hint, if you come late night..pay up...dollars and a couple bottle orders will get you seated fast! One of my fav hiding spots for lunch.
Wear your Gucci underwear here..I have been here both from the beach and fully dressed, service is MUCH better IF you are dressed (morons don't know money is green no matter what the person looks like)
Ps: have NEVER been out of here for under 100 bucks for diner, lunch with a few drinks is about 50..plus tip, they do have awesome lunch specials IF you don't drink..a fav YES -
Review from payada m.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/14/2008
We did not eat in the more formal restaurant inside. Instead, we had our lunch along the Boardwalk so we could enjoy some fresh air and people watch. What caught our eyes were the amazingly bright green and neon yellow linens. I mean, we HAD to eat there.
Hubby ordered the potato vereniki, which was like a pierogi. He really liked the broth that it was cooked in and the potato dumplings were cooked to perfection. I ordered the escargot with butter sauce (mmmm!) and a pot of the black mussels (delicious broth -- really hit the spot). The accompanying toasted bread can cut your mouth, so be careful!
With beer and a soft drink, the total came to $42 excluding tip.
If we lived here, we would definitely come back again. -
Review from a k.
Clifton, NJ
10/17/2010
It is a authentic Russian place. It has different rooms.
We went for dessert and coffee, The food was good but a bit pricy.
In the back room there is a club where you can have a dinner and a show. The show is 'kitch', pretty amazing. All of the folks were Russian
and very well dressed in the club. -
Review from Ryan M.
9/30/2009
When I went to Tatiana, I was expecting Kitsch. I had been warned. Expectations were altered. But MAN, I STILL HAD NO IDEA just how much this place could resemble a mini Russian Vegas Theme Park. I mean this place is like a ride!
The floor show included but was not limited to:
- ALL FUNKY COVER SONGS OF THE BEATLES, LIP SYNCHED, BADLY.
- THE PHANTOM OF THE FIDDLERS (It's like Phantom of the Opera and Fiddler on the Roof in ONE! YES!)
- MERMAIDS ON HYDROLIC LIFTS SINGING IN A "SEA" OF BLUE FABRIC
- A "PUPPET MASTER" MAKING HUMAN SPIDERS DO FUNNY DANCES
- A JOEY FATONE / FAT BONO LOOK ALIKE
- GYRATING STRIPPER POLE DANCING TO "COME TOGETHER". SHOCKER............... FOR THE OLDER PORTION OF THE CROWD.
- LASER LIGHT SHOWS ON A WATERFALL CIRCA 1985
- MUCH INSANE LAUGHTER BY MY ENTIRE TABLE. ALMOST NO LAUGHTER FROM THE REST OF THE AUDIENCE THAT TOOK IT QUITE SERIOUSLY.
All of that is not even counting when the actor / dancers later turned into a Top 40 Dance hits band from 1998.
A feast at Tatiana is a once in a lifetime experience. As in, I am very, very glad I went... but once in a lifetime was totally enough for me! But man, it was FUN.
Maybe I'll be back in 10 years.
4 stars for an "experience" I will never forget. I haven't laughed this hard at a restaurant, EVER. -
Review from Sascha M.
4/29/2011
Tatiana is the ultimate Brighton Beach Russian experience. I highly suggest everyone comes here at least once in their life. Unlike Russian places in Manhattan, the ones in BK include entertainment more often than not. Yes, the show is cheesy but it definitely is entertaining. Wear your shortest, slorey dress that you usually save for the Vegas/Miami/AC trips here. Add some f-you heels and volia you're set. The last time I was here was for a friend's bday and it was so much fun. Tons of yummy food and bottles and bottles of vodka.
Listed in: Brooklyn We Go Hard
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Review from Dimitrios D.
New York, NY
8/31/2010
The place looks like something out of the movie "Eastern Promises", and the clientele stare at you awkwardly once they realize you are not Russian.
But the food was good. I got Georgian style sausage with grilled onions and drank a Baltic beer on the side.
There is apparently a show (they have a small, gaudy looking stage in the back corner of the restaurant) that exhibits Russian dancing and music, but my friends and I refused to pay the extra mandatory fee to see it.
So we ate our food and left.
All in all, an experience- but I'm not quite sure I'll be going back. -
Review from Kortnee B.
NY
3/3/2007
It's spectacularly tacky. There's a freaking fish tank built into the floor!
I went with a group of 12 and had one heck of a feast. There was an incredible amount of food. I enjoyed trying the numerous plates that were artfully stacked on the long table.
I'm told by my Russian friends that the food is authentic Russian cuisine. Although the food was good, it was far from excellent. Not the freshest fish, shellfish or greatest cuts of meat by any stretch. I enjoyed the salads and vegetable dishes.
The performers were great, they changed clothes after every song!! Wonderfully cheesy, awful get-ups. Loved it. We all got up and danced, as the place had turned into a club by the time we were done with dessert. It's around $80/person, take advantage of the BYO option. Vodka, vodka & more vodka. -
Review from Louise R.
New York, NY
10/15/2009
Being ignored by the waitstaff and scoffed at when I ordered made this place feel all the more authentic!
Fair enough, I couldn't read half the menu because it was in Russian.
Huge plates of good food (when you finally close your eyes, grit your teeth, and point to something on one of the 10+ pages of menu).
Romantic view of the sunset on a quieter night, but can't wait to go back on a Friday night. -
Review from Irene F.
8/12/2007
Amazing amazing amazing. Had a great time here on Friday night with the usual debauchery and joy of a Russian restaurant. The piles of food were intimidating, but so good! Of particular note are the tuna appetizer, the salmon tartare appetizer, the soft shell crabs, the paperechka (short ribs), well, basically everything was delicious.
They also have a great show these days, very nicely done, in the usual tacky way but with acrobats and fire breathers and all.
Great spot, definitely coming back soon, after my tummy recovers.Listed in: Mother Russia Represent
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Review from Dmitry S.
Staten Island, NY
8/13/2007
My heritage is thankful that I went back to a Russian restaurant, it's been quite a while. Food, lovers of food must come here, this place will absolutely tickle your palate in all the right spots, and then some. The Seafood salad, soft-shell crab, shrimp, beef ribs were absolutely phenomenal. The amount of food that is on the table when you get there will make you wish you had afasted for a good day or two prior to going there.
There is no tlet down throughout the meal, as the onslaught is continuous, the food is once again amazing, although after eating here you may need to inquire about that NYSC/Jenny Craig membership you were thinking about a few months ago. -
Review from Jason G.
7/6/2010
Possibly the greatest Russian restaurant in America.
I ate on the boardwalk. The menu was a huge binder, with so much food it was nearly impossible to choose. I got their spinach soup, which was WAY BETTER than how my mom makes it (I'm Russian). I also got smoked eel with almond sauce, which was absolutely delicious, and presented in a beautiful way on a square plate. There was a giant pile of mashed potatoes (decent), and excellently prepared garlicky vegetables. The eel was as you get in a sushi place, cooked, warm, and covered in a sweet teriyaki-based sauce. The almost sauce was a beautiful extra touch.
The bread they brought out was classic rye bread, and it was great.
I'm coming back here! Can't wait to see the show! -
Review from Anastasiya G.
New York, NY
4/23/2010
I love this place. great location. great food. good atmosphere, exept for the 15 year old punks and bums hanging out on the boardwalk.
A+ FROM ME! -
Review from Sharlene C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/16/2011 1 photo
when my friend suggest a trip to brighton beach for a russian upper club evening i was in. i'm always ready to try new things. that's why i'm a yelper afterall.
there's a mandatory coat check ($2) before you are seated. that first request reminded me of my travels to st. petersburg. there were already quite afew large parties seated on the friday evening i stopped by. we ordered a bottle of vodka (russian standard) and then apps. calamari salad, home fries with mushies, smoked fish plate and dumplings. portions were hefty so getting an entree each was daunting. we ended up just ordering sausage to share.
get ready to have your picture taken and then the offer to purchasea 8 x 10 for $15. $10 if all your friends buy. we politely declined but we think we got the cold shoulder from the photographer.
what tatiana is known for its entertainment. let me introduce you to... "game of life". it's an array of cirque du soliel and pop star impressions. but friends i really am not doing it justice. you need to experience it once in your lifetime. it's $25 but something you will never forget. -
Review from Kelly R.
2/6/2010 7 photos
This review, like my experience at Tatiana's, is epic.
A Urkanian friend of a friend wanted to have a big party here and arranged the evening for 11 of us. She even got a van to take us on the 45 minute drive out there. The driver does not speak English, Ukranian pop is blaring from the stereo, we manage to fit all 11 in the 7-person van. Thus begins our bonding experience.
We make a quick stop in Brighton Beach at a liquor store to pick up a bottle of vodka and a bottle of courvoisier, since Tatiana has a BYOVodka policy. Finally, we arrive at Tatiana. We are ushered into the main seating area, where everything is gold. Dumbfounded, I stare at a wall covered in jumbo television screens and LED lights....I have no idea what is yet to come.
Nobody ever saw a menu. The other few tables in the restaurant all seem to be getting the same thing we are - an endless spread of food that covers our table in 3 layers of food...yes, there is too much food for each dish to have a spot on the table; we have food skyscrapers, each rack holding several plates each. Pickled tomatoes, barbecue pork, potato salad, and then a bunch of dishes that I have never seen before or since, and I do not know what they are called. Most of it was just good, but some of it was very good.
On the giant screen above the stage, they have a message loop: "Congratulations Svetlana....Boris.....Natalya......Sergei.....Kell y" They knew it was my birthday!!!! I was so excited. The restaurant was half-empty; I think that each table was there for somebody's birthday. Tatiana is not a casual place to have dinner. To quote Dave Chappelle quoting Rick James, "It's a celebration, bitches!"
We have several waiters assigned to our large table; one of them is solely charged with refilling our vodka glasses. Needless to say, everyone got drunk pretty fast. Oh, and apparently, we can only drink when everyone else is drinking, and every time you all drink, you need to make a toast. Many toasts ensue.
Then THE SHOW starts. Singers and dancers who have artfully used a lot of makeup and tight clothing to look pretty attractive from a distance. They do Beatles songs, and a lot of Cirque de Soleil-type acrobatics and performance art. I can't even begin to describe all of the costumes, dances, and sets. Frequently unintentionally hilarious.
After the show, the DJ gets going and we and our fellow drunk diners weave our way onto the dancefloor for some intense eurotrash-style partying. They had a FOAM machine. Luckily, I had dressed for the occasion with a zebra-print top, tight black jeans with zippers, and golden snakeskin pointy-toed heels. I fit in perfectly.
I don't think dessert was served until 2 or 3 in the morning.
Before we went, I was wary of the $70/person sticker price, but in the end, it seemed pretty worth it. We had an amazing night. Between the vodka and the most intensely tacky environment you will ever encounter, you will have the time of your life. Go there. -
Review from rachel d.
Princeton, NJ
2/7/2010
What a beautiful spot.
I give this place a 5, mostly because it was my first Russian restaurant experience, and I really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed a delicate handmade serving of cherry Vareneki and Ukranian Borscht. Both dishes were served with such elegance. The food itself was fantastic. I have never tasted such a great borscht nor vareneki.
Also the paintings on the wall and ceiling add to the already charming environment. With a view of the beach right, you really can't top the location for a romantic meal. -
Review from Jamie S.
Dallas, TX
12/30/2010
Stopped by for lunch, around 11, on a cold Thursday. Place looked closed but once I entered (and I was the only person there), it came alive. All the red and gold you could imagine. Waiter seemed a bit surprised that a party of one (me) wanted to order lots off of their bible-sized menu but it was worth it. The tongue with horseradish was the bomb! Loved it. All the other suggestions were just as good. Remember to chase the food with vodka. Oh, the Georgian red wine was great also. Loved it!
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Review from Bruce B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/12/2011
Great great food. But expensive, especially after the mystical 10% "service" charge.
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Review from Neal G.
New York, NY
6/16/2009
Went here for brunch after the Tour De Brooklyn. In contrast to what I'm seeing posted about dinner prices here, the brunch was quite reasonable. The Ukrainian borscht was excellent, and the French crepes were wonderful. Watch out for the "ice cream and coffee", though--the coffee is NASTY. Get tea; or better yet, some Baltika.
Only complaint aside from the coffee was that the waitress was /really/ unwilling to make change. My roommate, who is Russian, apparently was quite rudely told that she could not get change for a $20 when we were trying to pay. I was able to convince her to do so by playing the dumb white-boy card, but it was rather unpleasant. -
Review from chinno s.
Dallas, TX
12/30/2010
note: this review is just on the tongue and potato dishes that jamie brought back "to go" ----
tongue: not d typical lengua item but was prepared plainly but the taste and texture was unbelievably scrumptious!
potato: i think they used lard on the shaved potato dish when they fried it which adds to the susbtance of the flavor.
***definitely pegged as defacto benchmark for the potato fritters and the like -
Review from Erick H.
New York, NY
1/24/2011
If I could summarize my Saturday night here in one word it would be: weird. To be fair, that doesn't preclude using follow-up words like "fun" or "drunk," but if you made me use one, I'd go with "weird."
The restaurant is very, very old school in the sense that you feel like you're in a Russian restaurant out of a movie complete with the vibe, rough non-smiling men who may or may not be of ill-repute, etc. The decor (overly-dramatic wall paintings, etc) is over-the-top relative to everything else, and a high percentage of the staff and patrons are Russian (possibly from other former Soviet states, but I won't pretend I could differentiate). Basically, you aren't in Kansas, or even Manhattan, anymore.
If you're coming from Manhattan, this place is a hike. I'm all for getting off the island every now and again for a good night out, but this is the real deal...bring a flask for the subway right, cause you'll be on there awhile.
What else - the food is good, but it's most notable qualtiy is that if you order the special (we did a birthday with 16 people) the portions are ENORMOUS. There were 5-6 courses of all manner of food coming out, and I was stuffed by course 2 or 3. This all cost a pretty penny though (~$100 before tax/tip), so beware that this isn't a cheap meal any way you do it. That said, the food was generally pretty good, though individual dishes were hit and miss.
And then the show....oh what to say about the show? A pin-up blonde fake Britney singing her songs with a cadre of dancers twirling around her? Check. A very, very good rendition of the Black Eyed Peas that had everyone on the dance floor jumping up and down? Check. Weird pseudo-Cirque de Soleil type stuff going on throughout? Check. I'll leave it at that...I walked away confused, but mildly entertained.
Long story short - this place is not like most you've been to. It's a long hike to get to from Manhattan and it's not cheap, which are two pretty big deterents in my book. But if you're looking for something different, cultural (in an expansive sense of the word), and ultimately fun, this place fits the bill on a Friday or Saturday night.
Oh -and vodka. Lots and lots of vodka. -
Review from Mark M.
West Covina, CA
8/4/2008
This must be where all the New Russians come to live it up.
Hint: They have a really big menu with lots of non-Russian items, but come here for the Russian food. You can get the other stuff somewhere else.
I came here late one evening to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas, and it was pretty crowded. It's a formal--if not somewhat overdone--restaurant, but none of us were particularly dressed up. No one cared.
The service was incredibly attentive, in the old-school vein. Think tuxedoed waiter with a towel draped over a bent arm, standing at attention table-side.
Get some pelmeni, some cold appetizers, and one of their delicious shashlik plates. I had the lamb. If I liked it, you'll like it too! -
Review from Jasmine M.
Manhattan, NY
7/16/2009
This is probably one of the more convenient spots to people watch and eat on the boardwalk at Brighton Beach. Outdoor seating here with the salt air is prime. The service here is pretty friendly, but I definitely noticed the regulars and Russians were getting served faster than our table.
I liked the fruit drinks to start and some nice rustic bread. The cherry dumplings were fantastic-almost like a dessert. But, the crabs were seriously lackluster. Lots of garlic, but almost no meat.
I would come again if I am at Brighton, but it's not a destination (unless I'm thinking about going to the famed night show and rocking out the gold lame) -
Review from Dan C.
5/31/2010
I have been to restaurants in the sprawling Tatiana empire (3 locations all next to each other) in Brighton Beach a couple of times. The menu is huge, sort of like a Russian Cheesecake Factory with everything from Sushi, to whole Branzini (with the head on there). Since everything on the menu is numbered, the numbers went over 400!! Then I realized that half those numbers were because the whole menu was in both Russian as well as English, then back out the deserts and beverages, that still leaves you with 150 things to choose from. As my wife said, "they..have...everything". I have had salads, which are large and made with fresh veggies, and the grilled chicken and potatoes. This sounds lame but the the chicken was well marinated, juicy and very tasty. The potatoes were cut like french fries, but seasoned and sauteed in a pan, something I have not seen before but came out great. We both got drinks, my captain & coke was some odd rum that tasted a bit off and the merlot was served cold, not chilled, but cold. Oy vey. The service was pretty good, we did not have to wait for anything.
What I like most about this place is that you feel transported to somewhere besides the US. From, the above mentioned menu in Russian, to the Russian dishes, to the Russian waiters who barely speak English and smoke butts 10 feet from your table, to all the Russians eating at the surrounding tables, it definitely feels like you are not in NYC. If you find yourself at Coney Island / Brighton Beach, check Tatiana out. -
Review from Pinky and the B.
New York, NY
5/26/2010 9 photos
Hot time summer in the city!
When it's hot and I can't get to the Jersey shore I head to Brighton beach for the food and sun. I have never actually used the beach at Brighton but I do eat on the board walk. At Tatiana the food is so fresh!
Don't think American board walk food think food you might have at a Black sea resort. Be prepared to pay. This is a full service restaurant and not something you might expect of a board walk restaurant.
The food is oriented towards a dinner club. You can even order expensive caviar and vodka. There is a 10% service charge on the bill so be prepared to pay.
In the basement near the bath rooms are pictures of celebrities that have eaten there.
The menu is really large and has just about everything you could possibly want or think of.
Also they have a large sushi menu. I have not had their sushi. But it is supposed to be really good. Russia shares a border with Japan and that is the reason for the popularity of sushi at Tatiana and other Brighton beach restaurants.
Meals here have always been a treat. I have had kabobs, sea food and entrees of all kinds. This time I had a delicious fresh farmers salad. It was too hot and humid to eat anything cooked today and the sushi chef was off. Also their desserts are super fattening and delicious!
I have eaten here many times and have never had a bad meal.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights are highlighted by a Las Vegas-styled revue with a cast of 20, complete with musical numbers by a 12-piece live band with eight singers.Listed in: Brooklyn we go hard!
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Review from Herman S.
New York, NY
7/7/2006
This place is freaking awesome! I really wish they had places like this in Manhattan because the commute here is pretty daunting (though definitely worth it). I've been here twice in the last few years and it seems like it has stayed pretty much the same all the while even though I understand there was a fire that took the place out of commission for some time between my two visits.
It can be initially a little hard to find as it's located on a totally residential street right next to the boardwalk and you have to walk down a long hallway before getting to the restaurant proper. You may want to get a reservation on a busy night though it's not necessary if you get here early enough. They open for dinner at 8:30 or 9 so that's the best time to arrive, because you will spend the entire evening inside. As with many Russian restaurants, there is plenty here besides food. During a break between courses, the house dancers and singers put on a show complete with acrobatics and laser lights, performing various dance routines. When the show is complete, and after people have had a chance to finish their meal, the house DJ starts spinning dance music while the performers from earlier lipsync the lyrics and the entire restaurant gets up to dance. Literally everyone in the place, from kids to teenagers to grandmas jumps on the dance floor! The music is a mixture of house, trance, Russian pop, and other various dance genres. The crowd is extremely friendly and there is absolutely no barrier for anyone, even with zero dancing ability, from getting up there and shaking their stuff.
What about the food you ask? Well, you can get any traditional Russian dish along with many fancier French dishes. It's a good place to try some more exotic dishes as well since they have things like Escargot, Venison and Rabbit (all of which I tried on my last visit!). As with any Russian place it's BYO and you might want to dress up a bit. Though it's certainly not required you will see many people dressed in their best so you'll feel pretty silly in t-shirt and jeans. The music goes on until about 2am when they take a break and give people another chance to eat, or just rest up a bit. Our waiter claimed that the music was going to start back up again and go until 4 but at that point I was all danced out and we had a long trek back to Manhattan ahead of us. Luckily there is a car service just a couple of blocks away and the trip back was much more painless than I expected, just a half hour to get back to the city. Chancing the subway at that hour however would probably have meant a 2 hour return trip.
I should also mention the prices, because this place is not cheap. We had a bottle of wine or two and the dishes were generally in the $30 range so a meal for two, with cab fare back, ends up pretty costly. On the plus side, the experience is great. The food, the show, and the dancing all keep you occupied and entertained all night without having to wander about from place to place so it's definitely worth the expense and the long trip. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves good food and is looking for a fun place to go dancing. There is definitely another trip to Brighton Beach in my future.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Sergey P.
Brooklyn, NY
4/4/2010
It was first russian restaurant I visited in New York. I didn't like it at all. Food is nothing special and overpriced, portions are small. Show was a waste of time, and I don't get how some peple say they liked it. Live music is terrible and service one of the worst. I was there few times and still have the same opinion about that place.
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Review from Karol S.
8/25/2008
If you've never been to a Russian restaurant, you must go to Tatiana on a Friday or Saturday night, dress up in the flashiest attire you've got (it helps if it says "Prada" or "Versace" on it somewhere) and be prepared to dance, drink and eat all night. If you have been to a Russian restaurant before, then just sit in their boardwalk cafe, order a selection of salads (I'm partial to the Rockefeller salad and the seared Tuna salad) and appetizers (I love the mushrooms julienne and "new" potatoes) for the table. For the main course the crispy tilapia or any other fish will make you happy, as will the various kebab dishes. You should probably still get the vodka, and not the small bottle because you're probably going to order another. All in all, Tatiana sets the standard for other Russian restaurants to live up to. Now drink up.
