Cafe Samovar

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Claidheamdanns

Joined 5 years ago

Sadly Gone. This was absolutely the best Russian restaurant in town. The food was the best and the owners were friendly people who mixed with the guests. Sadly, they have retired and moved to Florida, and Cafe Samovar is no more.

I went to the last New Years Eve party there, and had a blast. Cafe Samovar, we miss you!

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mccinny

Joined 8 years ago

Always a Pleasure. Been there twice now, and always a good place to eat. Food is great. Nice little restaurant, Belly Dancer is a lot of fun. Certainly a change from the usual fare. I would personally like to see more "Russian" on the menu, but so far, it's a really good menu. I'll certainly eat there again when we move back to the area.

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tcarterva

Joined 10 years ago

Could be better. This was our first (and last) visit. Service was very slow and the waiter seemed bored (we wished we had the waiter at an adjacent table, who seemed passionate about the food). When I left my wife there to go get our car, the waiter added a 20% percent gratuity on to the bill. Although my wife would have left 20 percent, she wishes she had not accepted such treatment. There are too many good restaurants in Memphis to visit to risk this kind of treatment again.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This charming downtown Ukrainian restaurant serves icy vodkas and warm Russian comfort food.. The Scene


Beware of the belly dancers. On weekends the gyrating performers strut their stuff and encourage everyone to get up and get in on the act. Old samovars serve as decoration, but no longer spurt hot drinks. Need something to warm your belly? The vast selection of vodkas (64 in all) and full bar draw a drinking crowd.



The Food


The hot borscht is a hearty lunch with cabbage, carrots and potatoes in a tomato and beef broth. The heavenly lobster bisque has just the right blend of pureed lobster and cream. Traditional Russian specialties like potato and cheese proshkies, topped with caramelized onions and a mushroom cream sauce, are exceptionally good. A slice of homemade cheesecake or creme brulee paired with a strong cup of Russian coffee ends the meal on a sweet note.

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estes

Joined 11 years ago

a trip to Russia. I can remember loving the food at the Silver Samovar Bakery in East Memphis. When they opened the restaurant downtown, with an expanded menu, I was very happy and I have never been disappointed.