Borshtch n' Tears

I spent the weekend in London with my wife of Russian blood and Ukrainian nationality. Having trawled through the internet of affordable and unpretenious Russian eateries we were fixed on either Borshtch n tears or Erebuni. We tried both on consecutive nights and without doubt Borscht n Tears is the place to go. It was exactly as the many places I had been in that part of the world, intimate, loud and full of soul. The very friendly and informal waiting staff gave me, an Englishman, guidance on various dishes, my wife was like a kid in a candy store. The food was reasonable at about £5-£6 for a starter and £10-£15 for a main. The food was good, but it isn't really just for food that you would come here. It is an experience. I have just spent this summer in Russian and it made me nostalgic. They had a Russian guitarist called Dima playing, who was outstanding, the lively crowd singing along, whilst enjoying a drink and a bit more food. This is not a sit down eat you meal and leave restaurant. You come for the whole evening, eat drink and get thoroughly entertained. Everyone was so friendly, and we had one of the best nights we had, had in ages. We will definately be back. If you are a Russian speaker and miss the whole social experience of home. Come here, you will not be dissappointed.
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Adam & Lena
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 13, 2009

This is the best Russian restaurant in London. Authentic music, authentic atmosphere, authentic well presented food. The service is very attentive and friendly.

There is just one word for this place. Wow.
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Maria
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 12, 2009

I went there with my, now, Russian wife...

We ate from the daily menu, my wife commented that the meal was superb, but not as good as her mother would have made, she ordered the meal in Russian, much to the surprise of the Russian waitress...

The Borsch was very nice and authentic... a very costly meal to serve in time , not ingredients, the rest , was unpronouncable , but extremely edible, and they served a knockout Polish Vodka , that would take the polish off a table in seconds!

the total bill was very refreshing for `Rip-off!` London... and I ,for one , would definately go back there again!

The atmosphere was electric... one felt as if you were doing something illegal!

Music performed by a `live` violinist,with his own backing orchestra, via a workstation keyboard.. being a musician myself , I fully appreciated the live feel!

On the whole a very pleasant experience, and one to experience again and again!

With many friends...
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Gerald Hone
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, December 26, 2008

Had a great time here. Wondered whether I'd been to the same place as some of the other people who've written reviews. Food was excellent and very reasonably priced for London. Music was traditional and entertaining. Would go again. Very unusual.
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Kathy Mc Gowan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 15, 2008

Its a Great Place to spent an evening in with wonderfully warm atmosphere, great live music and traditional Russian food.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 13, 2008

as for me, being Russian i don't like this place at all and I will never come back. the whole atmosphere remainds me about cafe bistro that are located along roads on the way to the south of Russia or from Moscow to St. Petersburg. the whole place is very small with small tables and you have an impression that singers are sitting next to you at the same table. It can be just my opinion, but the food is overpriced and there are some additional charge in the bill for service (and it was a lot), the vodka is expensive and shashlik was very vey bad that my friend who is Russian gave it up because it was impossible to cut it and it tasted very strange. salad "seledka pod shuboi" was good, pelmeni were ok. what i like about the place is the language of menu, which is written with a good sence of humour. it made me laugh. I even take one menu with me, and I was very surprised home that on the back it was written "Stolen from borsch and tears". Overall, i think i will not take my foreign friends there.
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Tatiana
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Thursday, September 04, 2008

Not the same place as it's hay day of the 70's when it's chef was proabably the best it ever had.

The celeb chefs of today are not a patch on the chefs back then.........
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F. Turner
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Love this place. Have been there only three times, because i live outside London, but really enjoyed it! I live in Surrey , just wanted to ask if you are not planning to open another restaurant somewhere near me. Have many Russian friends and we would all come regularly. Music is great, food is like what i eat at home when i go there and everyone is very friendly. Thank you very much. Was trying to find your website, but couldn't, so i decided to write here. Spasibo bol'shoe.Liza
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Elizaveta Orlova
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 27, 2008

Had a great fun time here with nice good quality fairly priced simple food. Live music was fun. Recommend it .
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Hayya Genya - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 07, 2007

i was surprised to read such differing viewpoints on the same restaurant, so we had dinner there recently, to see what it was all about.. Yes - I suppose you can have fun without eating much. and cosuming large quantities of vodka - so if you can stand the 2 man band cranking out boring, yet deafening ballads, this place will work for you. If, however, you're looking for a tasty meal with efficient service, at a reasonable price - don't even think about it! How many places are charging £1.25 for bread and butter - {which they'll bring to you anyway}? They only had one waitress on duty - we're grateful she came to work - otherwise we'd still be waiting for "Grissle Strogonhoff". its a shame that someone has let this place go, and a disgrace for what they charge!
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, October 04, 2007