Borshtch n' Tears

I ate here a few days ago and i though it was brilliant!

I am really surprised to hear some people felt the food was only average as our dinner was spot on. The food was so lovely that I didn't mind that it was a little more pricy than some places, but then it is Central London and compared to a lot of places that charge a fortune for really basic food i thought this was good value for money.

The live music was great too and made the eventing a really fun. Really yummy vodka too!

I will be going back and recommending to friends.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 02, 2012

Great evening here with friends from Russia. All complimented the chef, very good herring salad, xachapuri. Borscht & solyanka soups with piroshki were to die for. Mains were good size portions & most importantly, good taste & presented well. My shashlyk was particularly good.

The atmosphere was very fun, everyone dancing to the great live musicians. Really good.

Service was friendly, attentive, but not formal. Staff were helpful & fast.

The place wasn't cheap, but at the same time wasn't expensive either, especially considering it's so central & has live entertainment.

Karaoke in the basement after was hilarious, with both English & Russian songs, & that's when the party really started.

I recommend this restaurant. All the customers there can't be wrong.
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Kirill
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 29, 2012

First impression is good.. good vibe thanks to the russian band, nice people in, but food is really average, and the bill becomes super high really quickly !! It looks like the guys are taking advantage on the drinks and on the service.. who can be that slow ?

I would not recommend this place...
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Charles
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 27, 2012

Ate there last night and had a very indifferent meal. The staff were friendly, but the service was very slow and the quality of the food poor. The live music wasn't bad, but the two musicians turned their noses up when I offered them a drink and £5.00 to play a request. They said they wanted £10.00 per song and said it was 'a Russian tradition'! The bill was just over £230.00 for four of us, so one would have thought a request or two wouldn't have been much to expect. My guests were not impressed. Overall not a great experience.
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Hugh
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, December 17, 2011

After visiting some other Russian restaurants in London, it became clear that Borsch'n'Tears is the only one, where you wouldn't be embarrased to bring your friends, who have never tried Russian food and think that bears walk on the streets ( etc, etc, etc ). The place is not polished, but it looks dressy and special. The lighting is nice. Have only been there twice, but each time was a wonderful experience. Brought my English friend, who found some options, that are not scary ( not too much mayo etc )- he loved shashlik; and with a group of Russian friends, who thought food tasted like it would at home ( tasty ) and presented in a way that a fine-dining restaurants would do. Portions are more ona small side though. Live music is fun. Considering celebrating my Birthday there. Great place!
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Alina
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, September 01, 2011

Best Russian music in London for sure. And very conveniently located in walking distance from home. Especially for Dominicanoff readers our favorite "Sireneviy Tuman" was ordered and pefectly executed. i HastaLuego amigos !
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Slava & his petite amie
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 05, 2011

I don't know what to say except I really like this place compared to the other russian restaurants in London. Food is presented very well, my favourite is the shashliks, very juicy and cooked on a real mangal. Also, the seliodka pod shuboy and xolodec are great. Atmosphere are great, musicians are wonderful. Restaurant is a little old style looking and staff dress too casual for me. Not cheap but not expensive either, just good quality for money. Overall, much better than any other russian place in London.
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Irina M
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 15, 2011

"Food is terrible here, and such small portions!"

Seriously though, this place epitomizes the usual English restaurant decease. These restaurants early on in their career realize most of their customers have the food selectivity of a garbage compactor - so why bother cooking? Bland uninteresting cuisine is therefore the norm here, not an exception. As far as the food goes “Elki Palki”, a fast food chain in Moscow has ten times the menu and ten times the taste of this place.

In short: the food is pathetic, the presentation and ambiance are decent. Hence two stars.
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Misha
4 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Have tried this restaurant years ago a few times, even thought the atmosphere was always amazing, the food was just ok. Have decided to go there again last Saturday night. I am of Russian origin and my friend is Canadian. We had a blast. The chef has obviously been changed, the food is delicious! Especially reccommend 'shashlik' ( I've tried lamb- yumm! ), but everything we've ordered was of a very high standard. Go there for a unique experience, great atmosphere and amazing food. Loved it! Definetly going back! Oh, and live music is great! Thank you for an amazing night :)
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Alena
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Having tried most of other Russian restaurants in London I should say that this one has the best atmosphere and decor. Live music gave me a pleasant home feeling (though the musician was very unorganized in his songs choice).

When it comes to food, it was all tasty and well presented. "Selyodka pod shuboy" was the winner of the night as well as the "Plov".

Service: Excellent! It was quick and efficient. But .. waiters were too casually dressed which gave a bit of impression that we are in the coffee place, rather than a restaurant.

Value for money: it was the most expensive Russian restaurant I've been in London. Paying 6-7 pounds for 100gr for Olivie was a bit too much.

Conclusion: Very nice restaurant, that would be a very good place to take your friends to and show the richness of Russian cuisine. But if I would be longing for a "prazdnik zhyvota" or "belly holiday" while my wallet has restrained limits - I would give it a second thought.
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Ju & Ro
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Sunday, September 05, 2010