Russian Tea Time is a delight, from the moment you step into this restaurant within steps of the Art Institute, Symphony Center and the Theatre District. Despite a busy lunchtime crowd and several people waiting, the polite, welcoming hostess was quickly able to find a spot for a solo diner and assured me I would easily make an afternoon matinee of the Nutcracker. Settling into a cozy corner, I admired the red tablecloths, dark wood, framed Erte works on the walls, and Russian folk art objects scattered throughout. The brass chandeliers glowed softly, while Russian music played and lent an authentic touch. My server appeared and his, "Hello, nice to see you, welcome" made me feel as if I was an old friend, instead of a first time visitor.
I enjoy trying all types of beer, and decided on Moscova, a Russian beer. For an appetizer, I choose Stuffed Mushrooms; four mushroom caps stuffed with a tasty spinach mixture and presented with a dollop of shredded marinated carrots. For an entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprikash Moldavian Style, which is chunks of breast of chicken, red pepper pieces, paprika, and sour cream served with polenta. This was accompanied by a side dish of another serving of the shredded carrots plus a dish that was (I think) made of beets, green apples and one or two other things I couldn't identify. As a general rule, I don't like beets, but whatever this was, it was fabulous: no one taste stood out, nor was it too sweet or too bitter.
As much as I wanted to try the blinis for dessert, I passed, as I was already full and didn't want to fall asleep during the ballet.
This has to be one of the finest restaurants in Chicago. The food is fantastic, the service some of the best I've encountered, and the ambiance is delightful. While the prices are a bit steep for frequent dining, this is certainly the place to splurge for a special occasion. If you're traveling by the el, take the Brown or Green line to the Adams stop, and walk east one block.
The environemt is non-smoking; in addition to lunch and dinner, Russian Tea Time also serves a traditional afternoon tea from 2:00-4:15, complete with scones and Devonshire cream.