by contributor Wendy Gordon
It was about a desyat (that means “10” in Russian, people) ago that Russia House opened its doors. There was vodka. There were blinis, there was Chicken Kiev, there was Beef Stroganoff; and of course, there was caviar…in fact, there still is.
Connecticut Avenue’s Baltic-inspired fixture, Russia House, celebrated its 10th Anniversary this week—and in THIS market, any dining establishment that’s made it that long…well…all we can say is Nazdaróvye!
Owners Aaron McGovern, a 30 year DC resident and former USA Today advertising honcho and Arturas Vorobjavos, a native of Lithuania, threw a party that included a substantial amount of libations, including their much lauded Mango Martinis, Balkan beers, hors d’oeuvres and more for their friends, family and regulars. The second and third floor of the restaurant/bar were filled to the brim with guests and humming with live music provided by bass and piano.
Having become a legend for its over 100 different selections of vodka (and let’s face it, who doesn’t love THAT), the vast and traditionally served caviar selection and the Nicolas & Alexandra style décor with its heavy dark woods and liberal use of deep colors and white tablecloths, Russia House has become the quintessential Balkan hang. Some call it ‘quirky;’ some call it a little ostentatious, but all of that is said with affection and admiration. Let’s face it, the place has hosted hundreds of not thousands of parties and sated numerous minions of ½ price vodka happy hour enthusiasts and late night crowds.
And hey, if its Godunov to last for such a long time, and for so many guests including some of the area’s hockey-playing elite and politicos, it’s Godunov for us. Spasibo, Russia House. We’d offer yet another traditional Russian toast, but our keyboards don’t handle Cyrillic well. So we’ll simply offer “here’s to you!”
