4. Restaurants

Russia House Restaurant

724 Pine St, Herndon, VA, 20170
  • (703) 787-8880
  • Store is closed

Russia House Restaurant Menu

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  • Jay A.

    Always wanted to try russian food so my boyfriend and I decided to pay a visit one cold friday night. I expected the place to be packed with people, but there were only couple of tables that were filled, which I found it odd. With a guy playing classic favorites with his guitar by the table side and interesting pieces of art work surrounding us, we expected something extraordinary, but we perhaps shoulnd't have set our expetations too high. We ordered escargo appetizer and it just looked so strange and tasted horrible. For an entree I had a rack of lamb which was decent. For desserts, we ordered berry pie and tiramisu (which I highly doubt that they made it in the restaurant), which were decent also. But for such a high check we paid, we expected so much more and we were disappointed. Also the service there was good but weird at the same time. I think its because of the rough english of our waitress, but the commends she would make sometimes would come off a bit rude. At first I was mad that she was being rude, but later I understood it might be because of the language barrier. I woulnd't recommend this to anyone but woulnd't stop anyone from going there either.

    (3)

  • Adriana M.

    Very nice ambiance and unique drinks but the food was very overpriced for what you got. $25-30 dishes looked/tasted like $15. The sides were sparse and the quality of the dishes was subpar. We figured if we're paying $30 for a dish, we might as well go to Capital Grille!!

    (2)

  • Jeffrey G.

    The atmosphere is very nice and old style, maybe like Russia would have been before the revolution. The menu choices are also very good. The food quality was very good too. However, the lunch menu that we were given had prices which were about 25% higher than those listed on their website for their lunch menu. For instance, Beef Stroganov was $17.95 on the online menu, but $22.95 in the restaurant; Kind of misleading. Also, the servings were mighty tiny for the money. We both left hungry and feeling like, though it was a nice place, we wouldn't be back. You could get a much better value at some place like Coastal Flats or Cheesecake Factory where you can also get a good meal for around $20, but not leave hungry.

    (3)

  • M W.

    I recently had lunch there and the food was outstanding! A very nice, quiet, upscale restaurant with a lot of atmosphere. Definitely try the appetizer platter and their martinis!

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    I tend to write 2 types of review, very good or not so good. This falls under the very good catagory, Ali and his wife (owners) are just wonderful people and the food is just wonderful. The food is authentic as his russian mother, and the flavors are just wonderful. I had the cabbage wrapped beef and just loved it. My co-worker had the scallops and they too were just great. The only reason it is not 5 stars in my book is it seemd a bit expensive but not out of line for the area.

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    On Friday 1/9/15, my wife and I went to the Russian House Restaurant. My wife is from Russia and she always talked about the food. We bought a $20 for $40 Groupon. We made reservations. As we walked through the door, it was like a house. It looked like they put chairs in a living room, but I guess that's why it's called the Russian "House." The only people running the place was the owners, the husband and wife, and another person whose job was to refill water, help with bringing out the food, and serving bread, but not to take orders. The husband and wife were running around and seemed unorganized. But they were very sweet and kind. It took them a while to seat us. Then it took them a while to come to us and take our order. We ordered the "Pirozhki," Russian puff pastry and the Pate. The Pirozhki came out. It was ok. It cost $8.95 for (2) pastries. The Pate was $11.95 and it was so small. It was literally a square 4 inch X 4 inch and literally 1 cm thick. There were 2 slices of cucumber and tomatoes with it and it came with really hard crostini bread. Are you serious?!? I laughed when we got it. For our entrée's we ordered the Beef Pelmeni Raviloli and the Lam Shashlyk. My wife really wanted something authentic and Russian. My Raviloli was $19.95. Overpriced for like 8-10 small raviloli. It tasted pretty good though. My wife's Lamb Shashlyk was $27.95. It was a little bit of rice. On top were about (8) small cubes of lamb and gravy. Served with grilled vegetables. There were more vegetables more than anything. Again, overpriced. We gave them a 20% tip b/c the service was decent. Our tab came out to be over $80. We could have gotten better food, more food, and a better place. And most of all, my wife said that the entrée's were not authentic and were not what she expected. We will not be going back. The pictures in Yelp are accurate.

    (2)

  • Ed P.

    Excellent food and service. The husband and wife owners were remarkably welcoming and eager to make the dining experience top notch. I sat at the bar and enjoyed some infused vodkas and caviar, and then sat at a table in the dining room for the most delicious beef stroganoff I've ever eaten. People complaining about the time to wait for food or the price must be used to low end dining which this certainly is not. As to the idiot who doesn't understand how a restaurant with reservations must hold tables ought to stay home and continue to eat their TV dinners. Come to Russia House in Herndon when you'd like to enjoy a delicious and elegant meal.

    (4)

  • Ideen S.

    Nice restaurant, good food; but bad business. Made reservations via OpenTable (11:45 am on a Thursday). We arrived on time, and it was empty. We decided to use the bathroom figuring that the host would be available by the time we were done. As we opened the bathroom doors, we heard an abrupt and slightly suspicion-filled "Can we help you?" I answered that we had reservations and were using the bathroom (what else would we be doing...?). The host (and owner) seated us and was very friendly. We were the only ones in the restaurant. If they had a better location (e.g., near offices or a high foot traffic area, they would have better business). Anyways, we ordered the Zakuski appetizer. It wasn't what we were expecting; but it was an interesting and adventurous platter. For our entrées, I had the rainbow trout with artichoke hearts and capers...a bit more sauce than I would have liked, but it was tasty. My friend had the beef ravioli and she really enjoyed it :). For dessert, we had the chocolate mousse pie and apple turnover, both of which were delicious! Sounds like an awesome experience so far, right? It was...until the bill came. I had a Restaurant.com certificate for $25 off. When I presented it to the waiter, he said they don't accept them for lunch. I pointed out that the terms do not say "Dinner only" or "lunch excluded." He said something like, "We've never accepted these for lunch, I'll show you," walks off, and comes back with a bunch of old vouchers that had the exclusion. (Are you kidding me?! Those have absolutely nothing to do with the terms of the certificate that I'm presenting.) I explained that I understood the old vouchers have this limitation and perhaps the current voucher should; but it doesn't and that oversight is not my fault. And while it may not be his, errors are a potential cost of partnering with affiliates; and the business, not the customer, assumes and bears that burden. He politely said that I should call them to sort out the discrepancy. Though I should have not had to, I did anyways. The representative looked up the certificate # and told us that yes, they should honor it. Voluntarily, we passed our our phone to the Russia House owner (an awkward thing for a customer to do...that could have been have been avoided if they had made the call). Of course, they were upset that the terms had, for whatever reason, been changed. They told the rep they would like them to call them back on the restaurant phone so they could give us ours back. The owner who seated and served us came back and said they were going to accept the coupon. Another are-you-friggin-kidding-me moment...he also said "Try to see it from my perspective." First off, I'm the customer. I'm not supposed to be solving your problems or empathizing with your situation. You're supposed to be serving me and empathizing with mine. Second...ok, I see your perspective. Now, what do you want me to do? Not use the certificate (which is really the only reason I came here) because you and/or your affiliate messed up? As he was walking away, he offered up a frustrated, babbling, ungraceful apology. I put my credit card in the check holder, and the other owner came by to pick it up. Upon returning, she politely (but unnecessarily) commented that if we had shown the voucher at the beginning as it instructs (which it doesn't!), all of this could have been avoided. But that would NOT have consequentially changed the rules or terms of our certificate anyways. Signed the bill and got out of there. Oh, and they marked my OpenTable reservation as a No-Show. In retrospect, I wish we hadn't.

    (2)

  • Mark B.

    We went for a Sunday dinner on Oct 5, 2014. We have always wanted to eat at the Russia House for the longest time. They offered a Groupon back in the Summer so we thought "what better time to try it." We went kind of early, 6ish, and we were one of 3 couples having dinner. The decor is very nice and it has a great ambiance. They seated us by the window. The service was fast and friendly. The infuse their own Vodka, so we tried a few of their specialty drinks. I had the Russian Martini and my Wife had the Russia House Martini. Bother wer delicious. We ordered the Zakuski Platter to share. It is a cold Russian Hor D'oeuvres platter and was fabulous. For our entrés I ordered the Beef Pelmeni which is Russian dumplings in a sour cream sauce. The sauce was out of this world. My wife had the Kulebiaka Po-Baranini. It came in a puff pastry with a hard boiled egg in the middle. It was so good. I'm ordering that next time. We ended the night sharing a chocolate mousse. My wife ordered the Chocolate Martini (did I mention they infuse their own vodka?). Service was friendly and fast. Everything could not have had better. The entrés range in price from $20 to $30. It can get expensive really fast if you order drinks. It's easy to fund something good in any price range. My dish was $20 and my wifes was around $28. By the time we left they were nearly full. Can't wait to go back. Definately make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Ashley H.

    Wow fancy! Beautiful and traditional atmosphere, quiet and romantic. The prices are OUCH but well worth it. Total comfort food that is well-made. The vegetable side dishes are from the weekly farmers market in town I believe. The service is so warm and genuine. I felt like I was in a Russian grandmother's fancy living room being served a tasty and filling dinner. Highly recommend if youre in Herndon looking for something different and classy (and you have the cash?) I did the Groupon and it was still pretty harsh.

    (5)

  • Fiona R.

    We went here after getting married, just to have a celebratory dinner. The address needs to be updated because we were taken to their old address which was across the street. Upon arriving at the actual restaurant, it was pretty empty but had a really cute Russian vibe. We were immediately seated and our orders were taken. We tried their borscht soup which they split for us. Really good! Then we ordered the beef stroganov and beef pelmeni beef ravioli. Both were excellent as well. Overall this was a great meal. The only problem I had was having to wait to pay due to their credit card machine being broken. Also the restaurant knew we had just gotten married and did not offer anything complimentary, which is obviously not required, but would have definitely push them over the top and shown they appreciate their customers.

    (4)

  • Connie C.

    went for dinner a few months ago (just getting around to writing a review now), had a groupon deal. were the first diners in (around 6-ish), though others started trickling in. decor and ambiance was nice, though a tad bit dark. service was fast, food was great. I had the borshch and chicken Kiev, was delicious.

    (4)

  • Mark N.

    Well, I've been to Russia and am a fan of Russian food. The food here seemed OK but very expensive for the small portions one gets, and nothing about the food seemed too special to me. In Russia one could get much, much better food for a fraction of the price here, but that is probably true of most Russian restaurants in US. They have some quite tasty vodka based cocktails, but those are also expensive. Came for lunch while in town on business, saw some Russians eating here, so I guess it has local approval. The restaurant is located inside what seems to be an office building. The interior decor of the restaurant is somewhat interesting. I felt service was quite slow given the limited number of customers when I was there.

    (3)

  • Annya E.

    I recently moved to Alexandria after living overseas for many years. It's been a while since my family and I had a proper Russian meal, so we did our research, read the reviews and headed to the Russia House in Herndon, VA. As a Russian I was insulted by the food served. It couldn't have been father from Russian cuisine, not even close. The first thing that threw me off was the seasoning of their Zakuski (appetizer platter). Small dollops of Olivie and beet salad were bland and tasteless, and the eggplant spread to my surprise was sugary sweet with a vinegary aftertaste. The little pinch of "caviar" on a cucumber slice, which the waiter so proudly pointed out, was a crunchy cheap grocery store variety (lumpfish, perhaps) so don't get too excited. Then came the Borsch. It had plenty of chunks of celery (not normally used in making borsch) and other chunky veggies. It looked and tasted like Campbell's Vegetable soup out of a can, with a scoop of sour cream on top. There was no sign of beets or any kind of meat in the soup which are key ingredients of real borsch, (even though there are numerous varieties of borsch throughout Russia). There was a little old lady at a table next to mine who said to her friend "Oh, I think I'll order Borsch, I've always wanted to try it!" My heart sank at the thought of people coming to this place to experience russian food for the first time and leaving with the impression that this is what real Russian food tastes like. I personally had better Russian food in Japan and Thailand. Their "Pelmeni" were disguised as thin square ravioli, filled with little meat and some ricotta cheese, drowning in a big bowl of alfredo-like sauce. No Russian, or anyone who's ever tried Pelmeni for that matter, in their right mind would associate this creation with the Russian dish. Chicken Kiev was served on a bed of pilaf and grilled vegetables, middle-eastern kebob-like style. Beef Stroganoff was authentic enough, but still way too salty and again served with sides not typical for its Russian counterpart. Authenticity aside, the food wasn't worth the money my husband and I spent on that dinner ($123). It was a disappointing experience for me considering how much I was looking forward to a good Russian meal. It's great that some Russia House's customers like the restaurant and the food, but I just wish they would name it something a little more ambiguous like the food they serve.

    (1)

  • Byron L.

    Food was amazing, the lamb is a must. Also if you like borscht then you'll have a great place to eat it or try it for the first time.

    (4)

  • Annabel S.

    A family favorite - the table side flambé is always a treat. The rolls are homemade and come to the table toasty warm. The seasonal pumpkin soup was delicious and my son enjoyed the French onion soup. He took a bite of his Steak Nichola which was flambé and said "oh my god, that is good!" I had the sea scallops which were cooked to perfection. The zucchini was also delicious and we both enjoyed the carrots and potatoes. Neither of us is a fan of the purple cabbage. My son had the Creme brûlée to top off the meal. We usually come for special occasions since it's a tad pricey and we have't been disappointed by a meal here yet!

    (5)

  • Melanie Y.

    It really is a good thing that my boss paid for our meals bc I really did not enjoy this place all that much. First walking in, the place was empty and this could be bc it was lunch time and alot of ppl work outside of herndon. The owner there took us all the way to a corner of the restaurant I guess for privacy - but bc we were the only ones there - it might not have been necessary =P. Also, I wasn't sure if it was him that stunk a bit or the corner we were at, but I did not like the unpleasant smell. He suggested the shrimp appetizer (his specialty) and was brought out cooked on hot plate and drizzled over with a tangy sauce. It was pretty good but my main dish was mediocre to say the least. The filet was tender but it was just ok for me - nothing spectacular - served with grilled veggies on side. First time trying Russian food so I'm not really familiar with it but it seems similar to Italian food to me. Anyways I wouldn't come back here again. Nothing stood out to be amazing here. Oh well.

    (2)

  • Michael I.

    I have to admit: I'm an old goat. I like to get the same thing almost every time I go somewhere. At the Russia House in Herndon I always get the Steak Nicholai and I have to admit that I am never disappointed. The table side preparation is a very nice touch - a butterfly filet served with fresh vegetables. I've always gone with a party of no more than 4 and the service has always been wonderful. They have always been very attentive to my wife and me as well as our guests; jovial, conversational and polite. The flavored vodkas are magnificent. We've tried the raspberry and the butterscotch. Dear lord, the butterscotch is a dangerous thing. As you start sipping it you'll be reminded of the Lifesavers butterscotch candies and the next thing you know is that you'll be ordering a second or a third or a fourth... Are the facilities larger than they need to be? Possibly. However, if it were smaller it would seem much more crowded and you'd lose the intimacy that makes the place very comfortable. The wood carvings on the walls are fantastic! In fact, whenever my wife and I go there we ask to sit at a particular table (by both number as well as the name of the wood carving).

    (5)

  • Seema G.

    I want to first preface this review by saying I really can't comment on if the food tasted authentic or not since this was the first time I've had Russian food. I came here because of a deal I purchased from Specialicious. It's the first Russian restaurant that had some vegetarian options so I thought this might be a good way to try some. The restaurant is on the ground floor of an office building which is a bit strange. As others mentioned the decor is a bit old and outdated but in a way kind of interesting and it wasn't that busy so there was definitely a lot of attention from the wait staff. The best thing about the meal was the warm bread that was fresh from their oven. Since they make their bread on the premise, they can make it fresh and it's warm when you get it unlike most restaurants. We ordered two vegetarian dishes and one lamb dish. The pasta dishes were fairly similar but still tasted slightly different from each other. Nothing unique though. The lamb dish was pretty much kabobs and was also just okay. In a nutshell, the food wasn't bad but nothing to rave home about. The meals were definitely huge so we didn't get to try dessert and we did have left overs but nothing that I wanted to take home with me. The food was pretty pricey for being okay so I don't think I would go back there. I guess I would try it once if you're curious.

    (3)

  • Shawn G.

    Tasty food but the portions are quite small compared to the high price charged in this area. The owner is courteous, interior is very nice but the ambiance is cold and snobbish (may be due to some pretentious people visiting here). This place needs to have more warmth and fun. At least they can play some good Russian music. Also they need to have more selections of desserts.

    (3)

  • Dave P.

    If you like flavored vodka & can stomach $9-11 per shot, ignore the rest of this and try it. I've only been here twice, both were in fairly large (more than 10) groups, and yet I've spent damn near 8 hours in the dining room. Couples dining may be different. Drinks Flavored vodka is the draw of this place. The rest of the mixed drinks may be okay, have yet to try them. The bar turns around the drink orders fairly quickly. This is important, you'll see why shortly. Food I've liked what I've had, it just took a god damn long time to get it. Shrimp appetizers, ceasar salad, Rustic pasta, pepper steak have all been good, but pricey for what is delivered to the table. There are table-side concocted dishes, though I am not sure why this is as big of a draw as it appears. Their freshly baked rolls are yummy, but good luck getting more than 2. Price $100+/head w/ booze is quite easy here. Don't expect to get out of here cheaply. Staff Brisk, can be efficient when they want to be (doesn't seem to happen much except when getting drinks from the bar). Language barriers sometimes cause misunderstandings. Can't figure out why this place had only 3 or 4 people in the front house all night long. Even though it was not packed on a Saturday night, it was obvious they were running ragged. Overall Service Slow, at least in large groups. Not sure what the expectations of a real Russian meal is, but the MO of this place is be very attentive to getting alcohol, but they disappear when it's time to order food or non-alcoholic drink refills. This is the 2nd time we had to wait (30+ mins) between ordering appetizers (which took 2 *HOURS* after initial sit down) and ordering the main course. I really want to like this place more, and maybe in a smaller group or just me and the woman, I would. Group meals, give at least 3 hours. Many of my friends really like this place, so I expect that there will be future large group outings here. It reminds me a bit of when there used to be a 3 hour wait for a table at the cheesecake factory. You need to eat a meal before you go and get in line for your next meal. I'll be sure to grab a hefty snack right before opening the door to this place in the future.

    (2)

  • Dipak J.

    ! After a long searched for authentic restaurants near from my area and finally been let down by everyone so far on customer service, what a breath of fresh air to with the good location find The Russian Restaurant. I have never tried Russian food before so did not know what to expect. The food was absolutely delicious, really hearty and filling. and that was one supi (Soup) french Onion Soup with browned garlic and also i never forget my drink and i tried red Russian vodka was an excellent, and the service spot on.

    (3)

  • Mandy S.

    I stopped here during a business trip. It also happened to be my birthday. I am not a Russian food expert, but I thought it was most enjoyable. I had a little of everthing and all was delicious. The stroganoff was very tender and delicious. The borstch was great. And even desert was tasty. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was Russian. Nice decor. I would definitely recommend this place to people.

    (5)

  • Misty Y.

    I came here for an anniversary dinner on Monday. I have wanted to come here for a while but for one reason or another had not tried it until then. I can't comment on the authenticity of the meal being Russian however the website states to expect a French influence due to Russian czars hiring French chefs. I agreed that the food definitely had a French flair to it. The location is a bit odd - office building - but we had no problems finding it because my husband works nearby. The decor is a bit traditional ( or outdated based on your way of looking at it) with white tablecloths, items from Russia, gold and burgundy drapes and chairs, etc. However the funky paintings of Russia kept it from looking stale, IMO. We both had vodka drinks, and until now, I thought that I did not like vodka. Apparently I have been drinking low quality! They were delicious. We had the snails, Russian style, for an appetizer - they were also great tasting. For our entree, I had sauted trout and my husband had the grilled fillet mignon. I thought that my husband's steak was better tasting than my trout bc the trout had a slightly fishy taste that I don't care for. I wouldn't blame the trouts taste on the way it was prepared as often that can vary based on the fish (when it was caught, where it came from, etc) It is, after all, a fish! However it did not stop me from eating it all. Even the vegetables were great tasting. We finished with dessert - chocolate mousse for me and apple strudel for my husband. My chocolate mousse was divine! They were out of duck for this visit - something about the supplier being behind in the deliveries. O well - now I have a reason to come back! The service was superb - looking at the photos, it appears our server was also the owner :) He was friendly, prompt and was able to handle all the occupied tables himself (about 5 were there at time we visited). Loved it - it was pricey but we felt like it was money well spent on a memorable night out.

    (5)

  • Patrick M.

    I thought this place was delicious, the food was rather unique, but it did seem more French than Russian. My only problem was the waiter felt it was okay to participate in the table conversations, not very kosher behavior for the staff at a fine dining place like this.

    (4)

  • Don D.

    I'm glad we found this restaurant. The food was excellent, the staff went out of their way to make sure your meal was good, and the atmosphere included dim lighting, Russian art-work, and classical music. We went on a Friday night and it was surprisingly empty, which made it good for a romantic meal. We had soup (borscht), salad (Georgian salad), and an entree (Georgian Duck sauteed over sauerkraut, and a pastry stuffed with minced lamb and rice). Our glasses of wine (merlot, pinot grigio) were good. Location is in downtown historic Herndon, which has live music on some Friday nights, so you could maybe time your visit with one of those events.

    (5)

  • Kristopher B.

    My girlfriend and I had a chance to eat a nice dinner at the Russia House in Herndon. The atmosphere as we walked in was very cool and romantic, but also very classy. There were only a handful of other people in the dining room, and we got a great table for two by a window. The staff was very friendly and attentive from the moment we walked in. Our waiter even pulled our chairs out for us. I was really impressed by the hospitality. We started with Zaksuki Platter. This was a sampling of many Russian appetizers. I won't go into too much detail except to say that if you are a fan of cold appetizers, you will be very happy with this dish. It was delicious. We also shared a cup of borscht. This was a first for me, and I really enjoyed it. My girlfriend told me of some of her previous experiences eating borscht, and the borscht at the Russia House was very good. The color was a very dark brownish red. It tasted very similar to Minestrone soup. For an entree, I kept it pretty simple by having Pasta Russa. This was sauteed mushrooms and onions on top of fresh fettuccine. It was very good. It tasted like beef stroganov without the beef. My girlfriend had Kulebiaka Po-Baranina. This is a pastry stuffed with lamb, vegetables, and tarragon sauce. This was a very hearty dish. In fact, it was way too much for her. She ended up giving a quarter of it to me, and then taking half of it home. They also surprised her with a hard boiled egg in the center. Those crazy Russians. We also tried 2 great cocktails. I had "Ivan The Terrible" and she had the "Baltic Breeze". They have a great selection of vodka here. Our waiter also mentioned them to have Russia's most coveted of vodkas within there bar.... Russian Standard Vodka. We did not take pleasure in this Russian delicacy this time around, but I'm sure I'll drop by sometime soon to try it out.

    (5)

  • Lauren I.

    1st time here and was very pleased. They treated us with great respect and made us feel like the only couple in the restaurant. We celebrated our anniversary there and at the end of the night they brought us champagne. Filet Mignon is delicious! You have got to try the pumpkin soup and the chocolate Mousse. Perfect date night

    (5)

  • Tina M.

    I organized a company dinner here for 21 people. The staff was wonderful to work with and made the planning very easy. We had a large table set up in the back room so we had a lot of privacy. The staff was very attentive and on top of things when we arrived and all through dinner. The food was good - though not great. I enjoyed the meal, but would not go back there for a dinner out with the hubby. For our appetizers, we had the Pirozhki, the snails, and the shrimp. The Pirozhki were very good! The snails were ok - but overdone so a bit chewy. The shrimp was just OK. I had the filet for dinner. (I will agree that the menu seems very much french influenced). THe filet was tender, but it was unevenly cooked. The bernaise sauce was very salty (and I love salt). Didn't really taste like a bernaise to me. My consensus from others around the table was that it was OK, but nothing to "mmmm" and "ahhhh" over. Dessert was pretty good though. Wine selection isn't great. I had the wine list faxed to me to select wines ahead of time. I found a nice Pauilliac (albeit a little young) and a decent Brunello for $90. There was also a good Fume Blanc. There were a few other good wines, but they were VERY expensive. All the other affordable wines were not great. The Vodka was a hit though. I didn't have any - but many co-workers did and truly enjoyed it.

    (2)

  • Pteri P.

    This was the restaurant I went to for my last meal during my trip to DC. My guy and I got giddy just thinking about what to order. We wanted to take our precious time, as it was a high end place. He described it as being "ultra luxury" and believe me, his vocabulary is always on point. We started off with drinks, which were Red Russians! Oh man, they were so delicious. We got snails and caviar for appetizers while we patiently took our time with the menu. The service here was spectacular. The owner is Persian, but had lived in Russia for quite some time. He was amazingly helpful. I ordered the Chicken Kiev and my guy ordered the duck. We were eating by candlelight and loosening up over some good Russian drinks. It was quite a dinner to remember. We finished off with a three flavor sampler of sorbet. I would definitely come here again!

    (5)

  • Zalfa H.

    Great Service. Its a family business. The owner works there with his wife and they treat you like your a guest in their house. Its a great experiance and great service. I'd give it a 5 star but Its a bit $$$$

    (4)

  • Yumi W.

    OMG Fish smelled like a week old. Nothing was good...salad looked like 7 days old...How do they stay in business?

    (1)

  • Ayako A.

    Great place! If we have $$$$, we go there more often! I love their lamb!! Dessert is always great. It worths going and spending $$$ to eat there!! They have live music, too. Romantic :)

    (4)

  • Zach J.

    After living in Europe for the last eight years in the service, this place hit the spot for my European fare! The food was incredible! Our foursome had a variety: duck, lamb (stellar), veal, and scallops. All were heavenly and we all wish we had the others when sharing. I'd have to say, the Georgian Duck was the BEST! The atmosphere was basic, music just right (classical style) which added to the upscale, romantic dining experience. The vodkas were great and they bring in Russian and Polish beers too. I wish I had room for desert because the mousse looked baffling good. Servers were extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and fun... all were wonderful. We'll be going back 100%. Dynamite place!

    (4)

  • Lottie Y.

    The restaurant is well decorated with Russian style and special stuff. The best one is the free bread, very special and delicious. The main dishes are good, but the beef stroganoff is a little bit too salty. The Russian house coffee seems very nice, but we didn't try it. However, this place is VERY expensive and overpriced.

    (4)

  • Bart A.

    I hate giving a mediocre rating on my first visit to this restaurant. Based on the ratings I've seen, there's obviously lots of fans. But it was not a good experience. The ambiance and vodka: A+. The service: C-. The food: D-. Here's why ... When your restaurant's name is "Russia House Restaurant", you HAVE to get just one thing completely right ... the borscht. The borscht was horrid. I would equate it to Cambells Vegetable Beef soup, only browner and saltier (if that's even possible). When I told the waitress there had been a mistake, that I had ordered borscht, her reply was "that's borscht". And when I replied there were no beets or cabbage, she "assured" me there was. End of complaint. I eat a lot of borscht, make a lot of borscht, have had borscht many times in different parts of Russia and have seen numerous variations of borscht. This was not borscht. Next, the "pasty" filled with beef, cheese and cabbage was also disappointing. It was essentially tasteless, heavy pizza-like dough with something similar to fajita meat stuffed inside. Saw no cabbage or cheese in this, although the menu said "puff pastry filled with beef, cheese and cabbage". I didn't complain because, had the waitress "assured" me again that I was indeed eating that which I could not see or taste, probably would have gone off like Gordon Ramsey. Then the vodka. My first 3 Russian vodka requests were unknown to them. Putinka, Zyr and Green Mark. Really. They did have Czar's Gold, which made me happy ... but for only 30 minutes until I got the check and found out I paid $14 for that shot (and not the generous stopka either). Granted, this is the US and I should have asked for the price and shot size first. But $14 for 30mls of straight vodka is robbery. Glad I didn't blindly order a second. Lesson learned. Perhaps they had an off night. If I go again, I'll be that much more informed. Damages: small mixed salad, small cup of soup (the so-called borscht), two small beef filled doughy things (Pirozhki), and shot of Czar vodka: $44.27 before the tip.

    (2)

  • Michael K.

    Best Beef Stroganoff in town. They make it with filet and it is spectacular over noodles. I almost always order it when I'm here. The few other items I have tried and can recommend are Steak Nikolai (sp) and their venison. They don't usually have the latter on the menu but you can sometimes call a day or two in advance to get them to order it for you. Funny thing with all the deer running around Fairfax County the last time I ate it, they got it from New Zealand. Good starters to choose are the shrimp flambé and the Caesar salad both of which are prepared table side for you. Not my cup of tea but my colleagues tell me their vodka selection is impressive. I stick for the most part with their Russian Beers but they also have a good wine selection that changes often. Their location in old town Herndon is convenient with plenty of street and lot parking nearby. They also have a dozen or so spots of their own behind the restaurant. Wednesday nights can be tricky some weeks as there are Herndon Town Hall meetings taking place that bring in extra cars. Apart from their once a month wine pairing special event dinners, one does not need to make a reservation in advance to be able to score a table for dinner. I don't have anything bad to say about the Russia House. Entrees run in the high twenty dollar range but honestly I think they are well worth it.

    (4)

  • Ted S.

    This was my first Russian dining experience and it was great! The food, the drinks, the atmosphere and the service were top notch. I had the stuffed scallops, it was so good that I did not want it to end. Lol. If I am ever back in Herndon Russia House is a guarantee stop.

    (5)

  • Curtis H.

    We're do I start wow...wow...wow!!! This place was great, the beast Russian food I have ever had! We started out the evening with a couple of great martinis, the Russia house" and the "Cathrin was great." Next the waiter brought out fresh hot homemade bread that was fabulous. I had beef pelmeni and my wife had the dry scallops. They were perfectly done and wonderful. They were moist on the inside and nicely seared on the out. The cream sauce that accompanied them was fantastic as well. We only wish we could have fit into our expanded bellies! We highly recommend this place for a date night...bit pricey but worth it!

    (4)

  • Trang G.

    I coworker introduced me to the Russian. What an amazing meal! The restaurant is a hidden gem in downtown Herndon so there's plenty of parking. The restaurant is welcoming, clean, and has nice decor of Russia. The restaurant is own and run by a husband and wife team so they make you feel like you are eating and enjoying a meal in their home. The provide their service in a timely pace- enough to move you through your meal without feeling rushed. They had a nice wine selection and choose a nice full bodied cab from Washington. Started with a Casaer salad made table side. I had the beef stroganoff. Which was the best I've ever had. The dish came out hot. Great portion. I enjoyed every bit. I enjoyed my meal so much that I'm taking my husband back next week. Please check out this restaurant. You won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    The food here was good and the staff was super friendly. However, for the price of the food it was not the best Russian food I have had, but it was by far the most expensive. The only thing that would stop me from going back is the high prices.

    (3)

  • Eric N.

    Came here with a friend to redeem a Groupon I had purchased a while back after doing some shooting over at Blue Ridge Arsenal. Russia House is right off of Elden Street near the Subaru dealership, situated in an office building. Walking in, the restaurant is huge. A few tables filled in for a Wednesday evening. First thing you notice is the prices of all the entrees on the menu floating around $30 each! Being in Herndon, I have a really difficult time justifying paying the prices had I not had a Groupon here. Since we were there anyways, I order the duck in sour cherry sauce and my friend orders the beef stroganoff. We also get an order of the pate as an appetizer. Service was quick, polite, and making sure we were okay. It was not just the waitress, but I believe the restaurant manager serving us as well. The bread here is stated to be baked to order, which was nice. The pate was a bit tough and had the consistency of being thawed out from being frozen. It wouldn't surprise me since the restaurant would probably be slow the majority of the time. Although not bad, I think at $12 for the appetizer is a bit steep. The duck in sour cherry sauce was quite delicious. The duck was cook perfectly, had a lot of flavor, and the sauce complimented the dish. The dish came with a side of steamed vegetables potatoes as well. My friend stated he loved the beef stroganoff and finished the plate clean. Overall, our bill came to about $50 or so with the Groupon deal. Without it, it would've been around $90 or so. Being in Herndon, I can't justify paying the inflated prices for dinner here. Our entrees were great and the service was on point, but without the Groupon deal I probably would never come here. I would come here if you really wanted something close to Russian or had a deal, otherwise I would look elsewhere. I believe if the cost of an entree floated around $20-25, it would be more reasonable. However, that is probably why they offered the Groupon in the first place.

    (3)

  • Sarah R. J.

    I'd love to write a review about Russia House's food but I can only write about the service because my husband and I weren't allowed to eat. We drove 45 mins to the restaurant, walked in (a Saturday), and the restaurant was not even 1/2 full - maybe 30 people. We were told that there was no room for us. When we dramatically looked around the woman said "...ummm there are a lot of reservations." So in the next 30 mins she was expecting a F'ING FLOOD of diners?! Yeah totally regretting the Groupon we bought. It's a reflection of what others have said about the slow service here. They obviously don't know how to manage a restaurant or how to turn tables in an efficient manner. Even if she was planning to double the patrons in 30 mins, there is no way that with an empty restaurant that I would turn people away.

    (1)

  • Rick G.

    Make a reservation and take your credit card -- The down side is the price is high you will pay from 25 to 50 per person. The food and service is excellent. We had the table all night never felt rushed. If you go here once a month and ear your way around the menu. You will have a year's worth of great food - I would say this is the top tier of food in Herndon

    (4)

  • Jess B.

    My mom and I went here on 6/26. Although there was only 1 other table occupied, that didn't discourage us to stay. The owners waited on us personally, and did an excellent job answering any clarifying questions about the menu. We started with the puff pastry appetizer, which was flaky and flavorful. The chef then split an order of the borscht soup, which was warm and very creamy. I enjoyed the chicken Kiev, and my mom had the beef stroganoff. Both dishes were very flAvorful and good sized portions. I highly recommend their specialty drinks, in which they use their own flavor infused vodkas for. The Baltic Breeze was awesome! Overall, this restaurant was amazing, and I would definitely recommend this place for those who want to try Russian cuisine!

    (5)

  • V W.

    We enjoyed a delightful dinner at Russia House. Being our first experience with Russian cuisine we tried 2 appetizers, Piroshki and snails (bit salty), and then Salmon Alexander, stuffed cabbage leaves and beef Pelmini. We liked everything but our favorites were the stuffed cabbage and the bread. Dishes were nicely done, ample but not huge portions. The restaurant is very nicely decorated for quiet dining. The couple running the place were very friendly and provided great service. This is a family operation that offers upscale dining with the atmosphere, decorations, China, and table linens down to the cloth hand towels in the restrooms. In euro style, the dinner pace is leisurely and not rushed. All this came at over $30 per person so for us we will return for special occasions rather than for casual dining. Pricey, but to us, still worth it.

    (4)

  • Justin G.

    Went here after a recent bad experience at the Russia House - Bar and Lounge in DC. This place is new enough and I like to support the Russian culture in the area. Atmosphere: This one has a nice atmosphere. It's pretty classy in the way that they bring out some of the food items and prepare them in front of you. I don't know if the folks know Russian or not (didn't speak it with us), but I did overhear that they are of Russian descent. Food: Pretty good. We had tried a couple appetizers and shared our main dishes and they were ok. They weren't what I would consider very Russian though. For example, they have snails in butter. That's french. It's good, don't get me wrong, just not very Russian. They did have some of the Russian staples, but they had a bit of a twist on them. For example, the Golubtsy had a sweet/sour sauce. It was interesting, but not what I was hoping for. We also had the Pirozhki, which was actually quite tasty. We also had the Tsyplionic Tabaka, which the sides were good, but the cornish hen wasn't prepared how I have had it before and was very over-seasoned and dry. Decent amount of food though. Drinks: Um, you can't beat this. They have tons of flavored vodkas and mixed drinks that you can get for pretty cheap. Like $10/drink, give or take. That's hard to beat for a double shot of decent vodka. I will come back for this, for sure. Service: This was the part where they fell down. The service was kinda terrible. They were nice people, but I have no idea who my waiter/waitress was. Different people kept coming to my table. Anytime I wanted a drink of water, I had to stand up and waive my hands around. I literally had to stand up and ask for service several times. Also, the meal took us nearly an two hours to eat. Don't get me wrong, we weren't in a rush, but that's kinda ridiculous. We weren't continually ordering or anything, it just took forever to get service or food - and it was a Friday night with only three small tables in the place filled. Overall: We'll likely come back and give this place a second shot, but I'm going to be careful to carve out a decent block of time to go here. Also, I may bring in a foghorn to get the waitstaff's attention.

    (3)

  • Sampad D.

    Its a family owned restaurant. It has a very nice ambiance as well. It was my first time trying russian food and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the chicken kiev and the lamb pasta. Chicken Kiev is highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Yassi D.

    Perfect gem in Herndon! Everything is so delicious. My favorites are the chicken Kiev and filet. So many great vodkas too! The owners are wonderful friendly people. Come here for a satisfying meal!!!!

    (5)

  • Marc R.

    Funny thing is, I can see the truth of almost everything that Jay A said on 4/7/2007. In fact, I imagine, we had the same woman serving us-- yet I find the overall package to be a little better. The entrees were actually quite good, and the suggested wine pairing that our waitress made was outstanding. I brought a group of quite sophisticated food people here, and they liked the very traditional entrees. Definitely French-influenced preparations, probably not typical food eaten by the average Russian. Also, it is expensive. The desserts were only average.

    (4)

  • Bill S.

    This is my "special event" go-to restaurant. It's not cheap, but everything I've ever ordered here has been top notch - beef stroganoff, beef in pastry puff, scallops, caviar, etc. I always leave here thoroughly satisfied, and raving about it to my friends the next day.

    (5)

  • Ray I.

    Very disappointing Valentine's dinner. We live in Herndon and have eaten at Russia House several times. We like to support local businesses, so we went to Russia House for a special evening. However, on Valentines day the menu doubled in price and the service was marginal. The weather was bad, but wasn't a factor, except possibly some cancellations. The food was good as it always has been, BUT not for that price. Our normal $30 entree was $56. The service was typically friendly but marginal in performance. For the price paid, we could have gone to a fine dining resturant in DC with great service. When they called earlier in the week to confirm reservations, they said the minimum per person would be $44. That is what we spend there typically for appeitizer, entree, a couple of drinks and desert, so no big deal. Our bill for this dinner for our normal entree, soup and the included desert was $156 before tip. We drank water as the wine prices were more than doubled. Instead of drinks at Russia House we left and walked over to Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, where the prices and service were great. That will be our last time there. Two stars only because the food was good, but not great.

    (2)

  • Sean Y.

    Food IS delicious an the rack of lamb is great. The only problem I got is...I got an entree and appetizer and yet I'm still hungry. The portion is extremely small. For paying 50$, I expect at least to be half full.

    (4)

  • Alexander L.

    I hate to give these guys anything less than 5 starts because they were so friendly. The owner and his wife are pretty much the only servers, and they're both extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about the cuisine. However... I haven't had much russian food so maybe it's just not my style but I wasn't wild about the food. Still, they were great hosts and my girlfriend and I had a great time chatting with them.

    (4)

  • None Of Your Business S.

    The food is great and authentic but my God is the service slow! I was here on a not to busy night and sat for an hour after finishing meal wainting for the check.

    (3)

  • Daniel F.

    What a delicious experience!! Every inch is beautifully decorated from the moment you step in. I've been there 3 times and have never been disappointed in the service, they are on top of your needs before you ever have to ask. Every dish I've had has been phenomenal, my personal favorite being the Golubtsy stuffed cabbage leaves. It should be noted the proportions are small and prices are high. If you truly want to be satisfied an appetizer and dessert are mandatory. Unfortunately if you dine when it's not very busy you might notice there is no ambient music, and can become a little uncomfortable hearing clatter from the kitchen or the staff being chastised. Even still it is absolutely worth visiting for that special occasion

    (3)

  • Anna L.

    As other reviewers have mentioned, Russia House looks like an office building from the outside. However once you enter, your perception changes and you are transported to an elegant European dining room with muted walls, Russian inspired paintings, heavy velvet window treatments, crystal chandeliers and tablecloth covered tables. We were greeted immediately by the owners and taken to a table in a cozy corner of the restaurant. I had already decided I was going to try one of their many vodka drinks rather than have wine with my meal as I normally would. I went with Rostov's Cocktail which consisted of Midori vodka, rum and orange juice. My husband tried a cucumber martini. Both drinks were refreshing and delicious. My husband and I decided to share the Russia House shrimp as our appetizer and our friends ordered the Caesar salad. It was a nice touch to have these prepared tableside. The Caesar was fresh and the dressing was not overwhelming at all - very tasty. The shrimp were just a bit on the salty side for me, but my husband loved them. You may want to consider not ordering the shrimp if you have a sensitivity to black pepper as there was plenty of fresh crushed pepper in this dish too. Our friends ordered salmon and chicken Kiev for their entrees. My husband ordered the stuffed cabbage leaves and I had to try the beef strognaov. The beauty of dining with friends is being able to taste each dish. I am not a fan of salmon, but my friend said it was delicious. It was topped with a champagne sauce and caviar. The chicken Kiev was lightly breaded and moist. The buttery filling was luscious. The sauce over the stuffed cabbage was slightly sweet and loaded with onions and tomatoes. The beef stroganov was made with tenderloin. It was very tender and the sauce was not the Americanized sour cream preparation I am sure most of us have had. The sauce was hearty and delicious with just a touch of cream and loaded with mushrooms. I would order this again. I chose to have the au gratin potatoes rather than the noodles. It was also served with broccolini, red cabbage and carrots. The portions were large enough to take home half as leftovers. The owners, who also served us, were most gracious and friendly. Our meal was quite enjoyable from start to finish. I look forward to dining at Russia House again and next time I plan to order the Steak Nicholia Flambe.

    (4)

  • Luice T.

    Went there for lunch with coworkers and we were the only ones there. Huge restaurant and we were the ONLY ones. Really beautiful décor, chandeliers, paintings and thick curtains. Very attentive and staff, a woman server and a man who does all the table side cooking. No background music though, so we had to eat in silence. :( We got the Russian Shrimp appetizer - flambéed table side. Good flavor but the shrimp came out pre-cooked and were just a bit too salty for my liking. Caesar salad was made table side but didn't taste like it was made from scratch. We got the Caesar salad (which feeds two) for three and they charged us $10.95 for the extra serving. We split the lamb casserole and beef stroganoff. Beef stroganoff does not come with noodles which I found odd. The sauce was flavorful and the beef tender (all cuts of filet mignon). The lamb casserole (fettuccini noodles layered with cream sauce layered with spiced ground lamb) was ok, nothing stood out and also too salty for my liking. The rolls were hot and straight out the oven, crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside, loved them. Wish I could've tried their cocktails, they had really cool combinations with fun names: Red Russian, Russian Roulette, Ivan the Terrible, etc. Overall, average restaurant, would not go back, the price isn't justifiable.

    (3)

  • jimmy d.

    First visit and went mainly because its really close to home. Looked at other reviews first and, after excluding the 1-star reviews (they always seem to be atypical examples) decided to go for it. Easily got a reservation on Saturday afternoon for same night at 7PM. It wasn't packed, but did fill up eventually. The owners aren't Russian (I overheard him tell someone at another table) and I think it's more "Russian inspired" than authentic Russian. Decor is OK and classical music is playing at low volume. Acoustics were good and we were easily able to hear each other without difficulty. Dress was a mix of jacket-and-tie to more casual. Nice jeans, dress shirt and a jacket is about right for men. Their recommendations were helpful and honest; "Don't waste money on the Beluga caviar unless you know you really like caviar. Have the American sturgeon instead." Service was great. We did try the caviar as suggested and it was very enjoyable although it must be about $0.25 per 1mm egg! I had the "Russian" martini and the stroganoff. Wifey Dear had grilled filet mignon with béarnaise. Lots of nom-nom-nom and very little conversation once the food came. Meal was excellent with the exception of the microwaved decaf coffee after dinner. Did have to request the check after desert, but we probably linger less than most once the eatin' is done. Bottom line: It was a nice enough place and we enjoyed ourselves. We'll happily walk back over again for dinner.

    (4)

  • Niklas K.

    We came here on a quiet monday night right after Valentine's, so the place was rather deserted. However, the food was top notch and the service extremely friendly. We had a terriffic time and will certainly be back.

    (4)

  • Laura G.

    I had dinner with my family for my birthday. The restaurant is very pretty. Great artwork and beautiful russian nesting dolls. Great experience, kind, attentive staff. The food stating from the fresh warm bread to dessert was excellent. We had the beef stroganoff, chicken Kiev, a seafood dish and the cabbage rolls. Everything was fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back. Great atmosphere, kind people, great night!!

    (5)

  • Jenny R.

    My first time dining here and I was disappointed. Wednesday night so the place was nearly empty and the atmosphere was kind of awkward. No music at all, large space but we were still given a tiny table tucked in to a corner. The food? A big disappointment. Salmon which tasted very fishy, bland vegetables, with the exception of the red cabbage which was very good. The biggest problem though was how incredibly salty everything was. I did not enjoy the meal at all. My boyfriend had the beef stroganoff and wasn't impressed either. The bottom line is that for the price of the food, I expected much, much better. I will not be going back.

    (2)

  • First C.

    We went back and the experience the second time was much better, so I had to increase the star rating. We plan to go back to try something new again. I ordered the vegetarian pasta dish and it was pretty good! I believe it's the sauce used for the beef stroganoff (sp?). Of course we got the awesome caesar salad again. My husband got the stuffed cabbage and he loved it! I tried it and I thought it was amazing. They did move locations just across the street. They said they've been at the old place for over 20 years! I'm just glad they are still able to keep the restaurant open. Very sweet owners.

    (4)

  • W W.

    My wife and I tried russia food first time last night, I ordered shrimp brochette $26.95, there were only ~7 tiny shrimps. The shirmp size totally supprised me and my wife, the worst, shrimps have no seafood favor, i dont know where the shrimps came from or what i was eating. I might ordere the wrong dish or wrong time. How about my wife, she ordered Forel Po-Armianski - Rainbow Trout $26.95, the fish has seafood favor, but has a lot of bones, it tells me that the quality of fish is terrible, I can have no bone rainbow trout from legal seafood or red lobster for less money. I will never come again..

    (1)

  • Brian K.

    I brought my wife, who is Russian, here for our 2nd anniversary. I was concerned when we entered and there were only two other tables on a Saturday night. It seemed like the man and woman running the place were the only staff on the floor (another bad sign) but they were attentive as they took our order. I ordered the Steak Alexander which was described as a New York strip with peppercorn topping and my wife ordered the borscht and chicken Kiev. The soup looked like a minestrone with a few bits of beets. Our plates came out red hot, meaning they had sat under a heat lamp for awhile and it showed - the garnishes and vegetables were all wilted and scorched. My steak was the thinnest piece of meat I've ever had and was not a NY strip - more like chuck steak - and it tasted as though it was a week past it's prime. My wife's Kiev wasn't much better, it looked and tasted like it came from Sysco brand frozen food and had been deep fried too long, as the filling had apparently melted out leaving an empty cavity in the chicken. The quality of the food did not come close to justifying a $30 price per entree. This was a disappointing dinner for our anniversary and I would definitely recommend going somewhere else if you are looking to experience Russian cuisine or quality food.

    (1)

  • Ed V.

    Great food and friendly service. I had the filet and it was perfect. Tried their appetizers and really enjoyed them. Very nice inside and the wait staff were very attentive. I will definitely be back when I next visit DC...

    (4)

  • Lucy R.

    Went on New Years Eve. I had very high hopes of a wonderful evening with friends. Unfortunately, the restaurant was severly understaffed. We arrived behind another couple and waited about 15 minutes to be seated: tables were open just no one to seat us. There were only 2 servers working and they could only serve soft drinks plus food and clean up. The owners were also working the floor and were the only ones to get bar and food orders The 4 of them were spread so thin that this impacted the experience. I checked out the menu prior to going so I could see what they served. When I looked at the menu provided, the prices had been jacked up. For example, one entre online was $30 and on NYE it was $56! Really? This is just excessive. I will try the restaurant but not on a special occasion.

    (1)

  • Autumn B.

    We've been here a few times! Great authentic Russian food and a fantastic place to bring out of town guests. Best dish is the beef stroganoff! The atmosphere is very quiet (often there are just a handful of patrons at one time). The decor is a bit outdated but that is overshadowed by the amazing food.

    (4)

  • Beverly N.

    Best exquisite dinning experience with the authentic Russian & French cuisine! If you can not afford to travel to Russia going to the Russia House in Herndon is the next best thing! Quite unique dinning experience and the owners are lovely!

    (5)

  • Good E.

    i would really give this 3.5 stars i came here to try to some russian food since there is a dearth of that in the area. and yes i drove ALL the way to herndon from dc! holy jeepers! we were one of 3 groups dining in a very large dining area. which was a bit strange. the food: we split borsch. which was not much different from vegetable soup ive had at a cafetaria. if that is what its supposed to taste like , it was ok i got beef stroganoff. which was quite good. it came with scallop potatoes and carrots. my friend got smoked salmon which was good but nothing amazing ambience: quite nice, very ornate, the inside was spacious. we sat at a table, but the bar also looked very impressive price: reasonable for lunch, i think i paid about $20 the owner was very nice and friendly bottom line: i think it is worth trying

    (3)

  • Beth B.

    My husband and I went to the Russia House in Herndon after purchasing a Groupon. What a fabulous dinner! I had the scallops (melt in your mouth!!) and my hubby had the Stroganoff (traditional style). The appetizer, salad, dessert, before dinner drinks and coffee were just as fantastic. The service was also impeccable. We will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Miah R.

    So many choices for New Years Eve but this was local and seemed eccentric . Reservations at 7:30 and by 8:00 were still standing at hostess station being told repeatedly "someone will be right with you" finally after watching tables complain about order time and seeing only two people working - I ran across the street to see if we could be seated and fed before the ball dropped in Times Square . We had a great meal and excellent service and were joined by 8 other people who defected from Russia House. When I called the owners to voice my concerns I was told" what do you expect it's New Years Eve" when I told her I demand price to equal service she promised me a certificate...I picked it up tonight.... 25 dollars... Enough for an appetizer and a soda at Russia House... I was shown my time or patronage were not valued. Ill male sure no one I know goes here.

    (1)

  • Mina B.

    This place is very romantic and Russian, with great service, fantastic vodka selections, and delicious homemade bread--served so fresh and hot, I think I burned my fingers. Oddly, they were out of the tenderloin Beef Stroganoff, so I ordered the Steak Nicholai (prepared table side with a big fire, the theater of which I couldn't resist) and a couple of Stoli martinis. It was sumptuous. My dinner companions ordered the Georgian duck and Alexander steak, which were also quite delicious. The owners are very friendly and aim to please. We didn't leave disappointed. Unfortunately it's pretty hard on the wallet at dinner; I'd come back for lunch to try some of the other dishes that looked intriguing.

    (3)

  • Lauren M.

    My husband and I stumbled upon this place a few years ago and it has since become a favorite. I agree that it tends to be pretty empty and quite but the service has always be wonderful and I can't speak more highly of the food! The cost tends to be a little on the higher side so we tend to go for special occasions or nicer date nights.

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    The food here tasted bland, the meat dish was unappetizing. It wasn't bad, but if they are charging $25-30 per dish, I expect something delicious. Go somewhere else with your money. I've been to the Russia House in DC, they were way better.

    (2)

  • John S.

    This was our fourth visit, and it was as pleasant as all the others. They offer coupons through the entertainment book, which gives you a free entree. They are good about letting you come back for the same deal. So I think they mark up the prices to offset the discounts. If you come without one, you will find the prices high. Drink prices are DC level. Entrees hover around $30. The service is impeccable. The dining room appears staffed by a husband and wife team with wait staff help. I always get the same thing--steak Nichola Flambé, which is prepared table side. It is a split filet that is sautéed, and finished table side with a wine sauce. My son had Beef Stroganoff and my wife the flounder. She like borscht and loved hers. My son and I had the Caesar salad, also made table side with a real raw egg yolk. At most places, Caesar salad is some romaine with bottle dressing. Not here. It's the best version I have ever eaten. We finished with tea--which is based on their own blend of several teas, with a touch of cardamom. My wife and son thought their tea was excellent. I had the espresso, but didn't like it. Overall, this is a great choice in Herndon. We like it a lot. It's very consistent and worth a visit..

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    I have to admit that I had high hopes for Russia House Restaurant. I've know of its existence for a few years but wasn't intrigued enough to actually go until our recent travels to St. Petersburg. I figured it would be somewhat authentic while being a bit Americanized, but the food would still be good. I went in thinking that if it was anything close to the meals I had in Russia, it would be a pleasant meal. The Look and Feel It's located in what feels like an old office building. You could just as easily be going to see your childhood dentist as you could be going to a nice restaurant. Unfortunately the feel inside the place felt just as old. It was decorated with culture specific pieces but I couldn't help but feel like I was eating in someone's grandmother's dining room. The copious amounts of red and gold probably wouldn't have been as apparent had everything not seemed old. There were only four tables occupied, out of at least 30, so you couldn't help but feel like everyone else knew something you didn't. The Service Given the lack of patrons, the staff really had no choice but to be attentive. The were polite and available but all seemed very unsure of themselves as they tripped over their words. They apologized profusely when we complained of a flat soda and sent someone out to buy more Coke. While a nice gesture, it would seem obvious the reason the soda was flat was because they don't turn over that much of it. The most egregious error, however, was the complete admission of borscht from my meal. The waitress did not write our order down (a pet peeve of mine) and as a result, must have missed my order. I didn't realize I wasn't getting it until our mains came and at that point, it was too late. We weren't charged for it, but that's really not the point. The Food My pirozhki were nothing like the grandmother's slavic version but rather more like pastries. The concept was decent but for the most part they tasted liked crust because there wasn't enough filling in them. This version supposedly had meat and cabbage but I could barely taste either. If they crammed the suckers with a bit more of the good stuff, they probably would have been pretty awesome but alas... they fell short. Since I had borscht in Russia and loved it, I was looking forward to making a comparison of authenticity. The problem is you actually have to be served the stuff to know what it tastes like. I'm actually pretty bitter about not getting it because it was one of the reasons I went there. To keep up the comparison, I had beef stoganov as my main. The stroganov I had in Russia was nothing short of amazing so let's call that a 10. My childhood babysitter used to make what, at the time, seemed like the most disgusting thing ever so we'll call that a 1. I'd put this stroganov at the 6 or 7 mark and I'll tell you why. The beef itself was very tender and definitely of good quality. The sauce was pretty good but much darker than what I had in Russia and didn't have onions. I know there are different recipes for it but the stuff I had before was so good I wanted this to be like that. Other dishes ordered (not by me) included grilled shrimp brochette and broiled salmon with a champagne caviar sauce. The fish was reportedly "okay" and when asked if she'd order it again, the wife couldn't say. That's a bad sign in my opinion. I had some of the shrimp and while prepared well, I can't say the dish blew me away. The rice and grilled vegetables it was served on was pretty good but is that Russian and how much does that really matter? I got a free pastry cake thing because it was my birthday and unfortunately, it was just average. The Verdict I'm not sure how the tone of this review reads to someone else, but it's meant to be slightly above average. The food was decent, with just a few tweaks needed here and there to make them worth going back for. The major hitch in my mind, and likely the reason why there were really no patrons, was the prices. It's possible people either don't know about the place or have a misconception about Russian food, but it's far more likely they feel a two course meal there isn't worth $50 a head. I say try it once if you're curious or just want something different but don't prepare to be blown away.

    (3)

  • Kristen J.

    The beef stroganoff was good. The food is old and crusty here. It tastes like hotel banquet food, where back in the day the hotel was thriving and it was a lavish place that people talked about. Now it's just crusty and smells/tastes like a washed up dinner theatre.

    (1)

  • Lance H.

    I've eaten here several times, and I feel it is one of the very best restaurants in the area. The service is excellent; I would describe it as a personalized dining experience. The Steak Nicolai and Beef Stroganoff are amazing; the deserts are all fantastic too!

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    I adore this restaurant. The beef stroganoff is delicious, the vodka selection is strong, the Georgian seafood dishes are incredible, and the Ukrainian style borscht will surprise you with its flavorful quality. The atmosphere is gorgeous and even a bit unusual. Yes-I am talking about velvet backed Edwardian style chairs and crystal chandeliers occupying the same space as paper mache sculptures of Lenin and Stalin, and custom made paintings of Russian life adorning the walls. I love coming here for special occasions.

    (5)

  • Jason F.

    I ate here for dinner last night with a dining companion. Upon entering the restaurant the first thing that I noticed was the classical music that was playing in the background. It fit perfectly with the white table cloths, beautiful chandeliers and Russian paintings. From what I could tell, this place fit in perfectly to what I think about when I think fine dining. For dinner my dining companion and I decided to split the Russian Hors d'oeuvre's for our appetizer since neither or us had ever been to a Russian Restaurant before. Before the hors d'oeuvre's came out the smell of fresh bread wafted over to our table. Shortly thereafter a server came over to us and offered us the rolls from which the smell was coming. Whenever I opened my roll up a mound of steam came out confirming that they at least heated the rolls before serving us. When the appetizer came out it ended up consisting of small pieces of toast and a variety of small items: a chicken potato salad, beet salad, some type of root, marinated mushrooms, house pate and and some caviar. I liked the taste of some of it and was not a big of a fan of others but it was easily worth the cost in order to try that many different items. My dinner entree was the Duck Breast with sour cherries. It looked nice whenever it came out with two duck breasts covered in the cherry sauce and a little bit of each of the following: scalloped potatoes, carrots, broccoli, braised red cabbage and zucchini. The duck was wonderful and I was thoroughly enjoyed eating it and the sides. It was only overshadowed Alexander Steak that my dining companion ordered which I was lucky enough to have a piece of. Throughout dinner the dining staff was very prompt and attentive which also helped to provide for a wonderful meal. The bottom line for me is if I am ever is Northern Virginia area again I will make a point to get this restaurant. It may be a bit stiff for some but for me everything about it was fantastic and it was easily once of the best meals that I have eaten recently.

    (5)

  • Michael F.

    Our dinner club met here on a Saturday night. The husband and wife who own and run the restaurant were very friendly and helpful when recommending dishes. It wasn't busy when we were there so I don't know if a reservation is a must or not. It's in the historic part of Herndon so it's not all that close to DC but worth the drive. I had the cabbage wraps which were a nice sweet and sour dish. Great vodka selection!

    (4)

  • Heidy L.

    We went here for our anniversary and it was really nice. The duck was so render that it melted in your mouth. The service by Alex and Omara was welcoming and gracious. The chocolate mousse was phenomial. All there desserts, bread and food are made fresh on site. They even gave us two glasses of champane. Definately suggest this place.

    (5)

  • Jenn C.

    Came here for a holiday dinner and was not disappointed. Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted with wonderful decor - gorgeous chandeliers hung everywhere, white linens on the tables, Russian nesting dolls on the ledges. There is weirdly no ambient music playing but the plenty of conversations from the other tables created some background noise. Once seated, we were given fresh rolls, hot from the oven! The owners (husband and wife) do all the serving and they are the sweetest. The husband is more talkative and very personable. The service was European-style (i.e. more relaxed, server not in your face every 10 seconds) I prefer that but some people might find that off-putting. The menu is extensive, with Russian and Russian/French influenced cuisine. They infuse their own vodka here, too! (we were there on a weeknight so will have to come back to try when I don't have to be up for work the next morning ;)). Since it was a holiday meal, we went all out! We ordered the following: Appetizers -Zakuski platter - cold hors d'oeuvres plate with a variety of Russian delicacies, served with toast points, including a small spot of caviar! Great option to try different things (I learned I don't care for caviar so I'm glad we didn't splurge for the larger, more expensive option). -Pirozhski - stuffed pastry with beef, cheese, and cabbage. You get two and they are quite delicious., although the pastry was a bit dry. - Borscht soup - I was apprehensive trying this since I think beets taste like dirt, but this was probably the best thing we tried! It is a thick vegetable soup with just a hint of the beet's earthiness. The waiter was kind enough to split one order in to 2 separate bowls for us (which I recommend because it was still a lot of soup!) Entrees - Golubsty - stuffed cabbage leaves. I grew up eating these and they were very similar to the ones my gram used to make (just a different sauce). My partner in crime received 2 large rolls stuffed to the brim with seasoned beef which were not overly smothered in a tomato based sauce. The sauce was quite interesting with a slight sweetness, almost reminiscent of BBQ sauce (tastes far better than my crappy description). - Pelmeni - my fav Russian dish. They are like little meat stuffed raviolis in a sour cream sauce. The sauce was obviously homemade and was more butter than sour cream but still quite good. We rolled out of here, stuffed to the brim, quite satisfied. Overall, the food was good and we had a nice time but something was lacking to really blow our socks off. We will definitely be back, though, to try the infused vodkas and different dishes. Tips: 1. Parking in Old Town Herndon sucks. Be prepared to walk. 2. Check out Groupon. On a tip from other Yelpers, I checked the site and hit the jackpot ($20 for $40). Be mindful of the instructions on the Groupon. It is good for DINNER only and reservations are required. You must CALL for the reservations, not book online. They are very strict about the terms of the Groupon. We followed the instructions and weren't given any issues at all come payment time! 3. Come hungry!

    (4)

  • Joann B.

    The duck with sauerkraut is very tender as is the beef stroganoff. I was reading another yelper's review about the stroganoff not having any noodles and asked the server to be sure. He said that I had an option between ordering the noodles or having the beef with scalloped potatoes. If you want to take it easy on the starch like I did, I ordered the potatoes while my friend had the noodles. Our dinners were a smidge on the salty side, but it was delicious nonetheless. We started with the onion soup, borscht, and the Russia House Shrimp. The soups were good, but the shrimp was bland. The cocktails are really good, we had the Moscovich, Ivan The Terrible (my fave), and the Russian Martini. For dessert, we ordered the cream puffs and chocolate mousse - those were winners as well. The ambiance there is very low key and the dining room is very quiet. There was no music being piped in. You could eavesdrop on other conversations being had, but for us, we were having a good time and didn't care about the lack of background noise. There were not a lot of diners that night - we finished dinner at 9 and were the only ones left. Although the prices are a little high, we're still fans of Russia House and liked their food more than the DC Russia House. This place is definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • Mark A.

    We drove 90 minutes just to try this restaurant. It is pricey but there is no room to complain about that if you look online first and review the menu. We did make reservations. Reading what others have said about not being seated may be true because we noticed when we got there they were not busy but it was apparent the tables had been reserved for later because after we had been there a couple of hours it was full. So reservations are evidently a must. We were very happy with the service. The gentleman who owned the business spent special attention to us and answered all our questions. The infused vodka was a special treat. We went to try the stroganoff and it was delicious. They do it two ways (traditional and also with egg noodles) We had appetizers that I wish I had tried two of. The scallops were succulent and the Pirozhki was something I had never tried before but I absolutely loved. I have never had any better red cabbage in my life. I could have eaten a quart of it. This is a place you want to plan on spending a few hours at. I think I spent a little over $100 each but that also included mixed drinks, several infused vodka's, appetizers, dinner, and after dinner drinks and dessert. I was very happy with the entire experience. We are from Winchester and plan on another trip soon.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    I've been waiting to eat here for years. Finally did it. Loved the food and service. I will be back very soon.

    (4)

  • Carolyn F.

    This is a terrific restaurant. All of the food was delicious ( the best beef stroganoff ever), the house wine was excellent and we got great service, even with my Groupon. We will definitely return--such a wonderful meal!

    (5)

  • David K.

    We were looking forward to an above average meal and arrived hungry and with a Groupon and reservations for two in place. We were greeted at the door and shown to a table near the front windows. It was a Sunday evening and it wasn't crowded at all. We ordered Borscht and some table wine. These were both fine and we had high anticipations of a great meal. We ordered the salmon (as pictured on the Groupon) and chicken Kiev. While waiting on the food, we were treated to a hot dinner roll. Very good. But as a half hour went by and still no dinner, we started getting a bit fidgety. As luck would have it, that's when the waiter brought out hot plates of salmon and chicken Kiev. I looked at the salmon and then at my Groupon photo, Well, there was a resemblance though no caviar on the potatoes. Not to worry, we were still in good spirits. I started into my chicken and found it to have a mushy coating and a mealy texture. I cut a bite off and offered it to my girlfriend and asked what she thought. "Chicken McNugget", she replied. I nodded my head in agreement. Unfortunately it was served on a bed of rice, a rice pilaf of sorts. I was crunching though it when it struck me where I had tasted that before - a plastic heat and serve Bird's-Eye vegetable serving. At that point, I *really* wanted a peek in the kitchen. I figure they had a fine microwave oven and frozen portions. I helped myself to a bite of the salmon - a bit overly strong fishy taste (and I love salmon) and very lackluster potatoes that neither of us could bring ourselves to eat. It appeared to be undercooked slices of potatoes in a sauce. Sigh. This dinner took 1 hour and 50 minutes from the time we walked in. During this time there were long periods where there was no wait staff. Listening to an hour of Christmas songs fit for a shopping center left us wishing for a more authentic feeling of this ethnic culture. We felt that was an opportunity lost. I notice that a good deal of reviewers were very pleased with the Vodka varieties. We didn't have any and our attention was on the food. Perhaps being a Sunday night, we had a backup cook. Who knows. What I did notice was that all the awards seem to be from the 2005-2006 time frame. Perhaps things have changed over time. Our bill came to $150+ for two until I called the waiter over. He apologized and gave us the correct bill which was in the mid $50 range including the Groupon discount. With so many positive experiences exploring the DC and NoVa area with our Groupons to lead us, I can't say that Russia House Restaurant will be on our return visit list.

    (2)

  • Marion W.

    My husband and I bought a Groupon figuring this would be an excellent way to try out Russia House. Made reservations and we were seated promptly by the owners. Started of with some wonderful martinis and delicious warm bread fresh out of the oven. We ordered two appetizers, Russia House Pate and Snails Russian Style. The pate was bland and the snails were not that more exciting. The presentation was also very below average. We both ordered the Borscht and it was delicious. For the entree I ordered the lamb special for the evening and my husband got the Grilled Filet Mignon with Roquefort Cheese Sauce. Both choices were outstanding and the sauces were divine! Of course we had room for dessert and ordered the warm apple strudel with cream. Don't bother with dessert. This was so flavorless and not very eye appealing. Overall, we were very disappointed with our whole experience. In a nutshell, 2 thumbs up for their martinis and main dishes. The owners were are servers which they did well however; it would have really been a nice touch for them to introduce themselves and be a little more interactive with their guests.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Intimate, Classy
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Russia House Restaurant

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