Set in historic Herndon, the Russia House Restaurant offers Russian hospitality and culinary excellence in all its details. The restaurant opened in July of 1992 by the friendly owners Ali and Homeyra Darugar, and together they created an atmosphere of aristocratic dining with classic cuisine, with the warm feeling that you are dining at your aristocratic grandmother’s table. Mrs. Darugar moved from Russia with her grandparents to Switzerland, where she learned to cook in her grandmother’s kitchen. She brought her great culinary talents here to the United States and created the exquisite menu and served as the head chef in the first few years the restaurant was opened. The restaurant features Russian, Continental and Georgian cuisine with a French flair.
"I've been to Russia (and enjoyed/endured the cuisine) over twenty times. I was looking forward to trying Russian dining without some of the more unpleasant aspects of the Russian experience.
Russian House approaches Russian cuisine, but was not what I expected. No dollop of sour cream in the borscht (which appeared to be of the non-beet variety), no rye/black bread (for all restaurants: why in the name of heaven do you chill butter? This renders the spread unusable!), and most suspiciously, the vegetables for completely different entrees. . .were the same.
The cucumber-flavored vodka martini was good, though (apparently the only one on the drink menu made with Russian Standard vodka; NB: no Russian would willingly drink Stolichnaya)."
Dined on 6/04/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"There only seemed to be two people on the floor, therefore service was spotty, e.g., with a reservation, we had to wait several minutes to be seated, while a server (there was no one greeting patrons at the entry to the restaurant) took drinks to one table and then took the dinner order from another... The food was okay, but could've been a bit better (e.g., less doused in sauce, less seeming to have been under a very, very hot warmer for several minutes) for the price. The main thing in Russia House's favor was the absence of a TV anywhere -- how nice not to have a basketball/baseball/hockey/etc. game as a noisy distraction!! It was a lovely, quiet, adult setting, which is all too rare these days."
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I went for the beef stroganoff and was not disappointed. It was fantastic. The scallop appetizer was also quite good. The service was very friendly. We'll definitely be back."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had dinner the same night as a large group. It was loud and we felt like we were crashing the party. Can't wait to go back on a quieter night to enjoy the atmosphere--and check out the heat art in the bar
Food was good, service was outstanding, wine selection (there was no list) was limited, but we liked what we ordered."
Dined on 6/05/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food is great but the table service was lacking. It always seems to be slow and yet hurried. Had to ask for bread when we saw it at another table and yet the food is excellent. Maybe they were just short a waiter that day."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"So many restaurants serve the same basic type of food. At Russia House I am pleasantly surprised by the Russian food with the french influence. For instance we both had roasted vegetables that included a sweet and sour red cabbage that was gently seared so that the edges were a bit crisp without being burnt. It was an outstanding preparation for a vegetable you don't find on many menus. The meat - I had a filet and my husband had lamb - was cooked perfectly. The filet was a perfect size and the sauces that accompany were a wonderful companion to the dish. The server was attentive without appearing at our table too often giving us time to simply enjoy the food and have conversation. This place is a gem!"
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The beauty of the Russia House is not just good food and an amazing array of home made vodkas - it is the pace of the service. They walk the delicate line between rushing you and not keeping you waiting. Dinner at the Russia House is a laid back blissful indulgence. I have never been to Russia, but being at the Russia House really feels like you are existing in a different place culturally. You relax and enjoy everything because you have time to appreciate every course. Everything they serve shows attention to detail with the 3 small sides on every plate being just as delicious as the main course. A great spot to bring someone special to SHOW them they are special."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Our party of four loved Russia House. Excellent service, good vodka drinks, superb food. Chateaubriand for two was great. One person had duck which was wonderful. Our 4th went for the beef stroganoff, which is not a dish I like but I had a bite and this one was good. Scallops in champagne fish sauce for an appetizer were also great and even the non-fish eater in our party liked it."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Mother's Day family dinner for 12. Food was very good, service was attentive (refilling drinks, bring more bread, etc.), but the kitchen was not able to keep up with food delivery. Reservation was for the opening time at noon; we arrived on time to find several other tables already seated but by no means was the restaurant full until much later. Even arriving that early, we did not finish with dessert until nearly 3 pm. There were several long periods between courses where we literally ran out of things to talk about and just mostly sat waiting for the next course."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"How wonderful to walk into a restaurant and be greeted as family by the owners. They are so charming and generous and I love that they actually use real candles and not flickering bulbs at the table - nice to be treated like a grown up. The food is fantastic, the rolls are warm and the black currant vodka makes a sublime dessert. Check it out!"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Dined on May 5 to celebrate an early Mother's Day and two birthdays. The meals were wonderful and portions perfect. The flavored vodkas were delicious. All six of us were pelased with our experience at the Russia House, the four locals will return."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A wonderful selection of great food, vodkas, and service on a personal level. A great selection of items that are prepared at tableside from appetizers to desert! You always feel as if they are taking care of you personally and not just serving you food."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The Russia House is a terrific place both for the food and for the service. Ali and Homeyra are attentive and made outstanding wine recommendations. They scour the small boutique wines and always have a special they recommend. Food is also outstanding...not an over the top for number of selections but they obviously know what they do best. For starters, the bacon wrapped scallops were phenomenal. The second time we went, we had the caviar based on Ali's recommendation and it was great. I'd recommend the traditional Stroganoff, the filet, and the butterflied filet flambe. The Creme Brulee is awesome!!!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food and service at Russia House was fantastic. We had a lovely, quiet dinner with friends. The bread was baked fresh, the beef stroganoff was amazing and the vodka was entertaining."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My husband and I have eaten here several times and love it. The food is wonderful - made with care and almost everything we've had has been delicious. It's quiet, romantic, and the owners are so warm and welcoming. The house infused vodkas are something special - especially the pomegranate (we tried also the butterscotch and cherry and both were good too). The bacon wrapped scallops were very plump and fresh, but the sauce they were sitting on was the star - so good, I was forced to use my bread to get it all up. I had the filet and my husband ordered the duck with sour cherries. The filet was cooked perfectly and the vegetables were a nice touch - especially the braised cabbage. The duck was very tasty too. Highly recommend!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Russia House has amazing food. Though, I would steer clear of the appetizer plate. Not much food and overall bland. The rest of the meal rated 5+. The caesar salad made table side was flavorful. The homemade rolls are served hot. The duck on sauerkraut was out of this world. Prices are high, but, worth it."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The owners take great pride in everything they do and it shows. The Russia House is a great place for good food and good conversation with a classical european style of service."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Having dinner a Russia House is an event. The owners are warm and personable, the atmosphere is relaxing and unique, the menu is diverse, the food pops with incredible flavors, and the vodka is sublime. A wonderful break from chain restaurants. I'm a fan!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2011
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My husband and I had an excellent dinner. My only complaint was that the dessert that we had (cream puffs) were not of the same quality as our entrees. However, we would be willing to come back for another meal."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had a lovely dinner and outstanding service at Russia House starting with wonderful freshly baked rolls. Our Caeser salad made table side was everything it should have been starting with the anchovies...it was perfect. The owner and chef, along with his wife, were warm and welcoming. The duck breast was very tender although I would have liked the sour cherry sauce a little more sour then it was. Steak tartare, which my son-in-law ordered was also made table side and he said it was excellent and my daughter was very happy with her scallops. We finished with some delicious apple strudel---all in all, a very pleasant experience."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Russia House pleases again! This was my 2nd time at this restaurant. The food was fabulous and again the service was extremely kind and attentive. Definitely worth a visit!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The borscht is excellent, as is the Steak Alexander. They also have a good selection of vodka and vodka based drinks. We were a group of 9 with 5 kids. Although there isn't a specific kids menu, they accommodated our needs and split an adult meal for the youngest two. It was an enjoyable meal."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Very nice restaurant. The decor is a little dated but it's a good place for a quiet dinner. The grilled salmon, rack of lamb, and stroganoff are all good bets. There is a decent selection of after dinner coffees and vodka drinks. Thr staff is wonderful. We will definitely return."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Lovely old world charming atmosphere greets you as you enter. The menu is extensive. Our group of six each ordered something different. Everyone was beyond pleased! Service was excellent. Our food arrived in a timely fashion, hot and served on lovely plates. Atmosphere and spacing of tables is conducive to conversation. We look forward to returning again and again."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had a reservation for 7pm, but there were only 2 people working it seemed like. We didnt see an appetizer for over an hour, and when they forgot one of the appetizers and $8 bowls of soup which we seen 45 minutes after the appetizers were gone, they didnt even apologize. We practically had to beg for a drink and after 3 hours we finally finished eating. I think the service was terrible considering dinner for 8 was over $500. I think they need additional staff, and it would take a free lunch to get me to step foot back in that place."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We arrived early for our reservation but were able to be seated immediately. Service was a bit slow initially, but improved dramatically as dinner progressed. Although a bit expensive, the entrees were exceptionally delicious (we had the Duck Breast with Sour Cherries and Alexander Steak at about $30 each). Dessert was quite good, but the portion size was a little too small for sharing. Overall an outstanding experience and fully recommended for a special occassion or special date night."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had an incredible time! The service was incredible, the wait staff took great care of us and were so friendly and welcoming. The food was INCREDIBLE! Every bite was perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. All the flavors just worked together. We had a really wonderful dinner. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food is superb and the service is excellent. The ambiance was romantic and relaxing while providing a great atmosphere for conversation. I would recommend this place for anyone who likes excellent food, a special night out and/or a quite night with friends. We will be returning frequently."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A wonderful "Old Country" touch. Food was excellent and service was good. As the Russia House gets a little busier the service slows. One more waiter would have solved this. Overall everything was wonderful. The pate was the best we have ever had. Will certainly come again when in the area."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food and ambience were fine, bht when we went, they were extremely understaffed. We had to wajt 10 minutes just to get seated. After we got seated things were much better, but the poor servers were still running around like chickens with their heads cut off"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Russia House Restaurant - Herndon