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i was really sad when i saw the menu because (1) our restaurant dance card was full and (2) russian food is not something i have much experience with so it’s one of the cuisines i usually jump on the bandwagon for.

this review at the infatuation sums things up perfectly:

Imagine a grandmother’s house. Picture the floral prints, lace doilies, 1970s lampshades, and all the framed photographs of Uncle Joe and Cousin Rachel on the walls. 

Now imagine throwing a huge party in that house, like if American Pie took place in The Brothers Grimm story universe. But instead of breaking into nana’s cookie jar and sherry stash, you drink carafes of cucumber-dill-infused vodka, and eat borscht and pelmeni dumplings. This is what it’s like to have dinner at Mari Vanna in Flatiron, a party spot with Russian food that’s better than what you might expect from a restaurant with a swing attached to its ceiling.

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On 10/9/2023 at 8:49 AM, small h said:

Because I've been to the Brooklyn one, and Elmhurst is too far.

https://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2023/10/zaab-zaab-brings-isan-cuisine-to-the-essex-market.html

Just a little interesting, but we went to the Ayada Thai in Chelsea Market last week (Elmhurst is too far (and we were already over at The Whitney)), and it waS surprisingly decent.  For not being the mother ship, and for being in Chelsea Market.

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On 10/10/2023 at 10:29 AM, MitchW said:

Just a little interesting, but we went to the Ayada Thai in Chelsea Market last week (Elmhurst is too far (and we were already over at The Whitney)), and it waS surprisingly decent.  For not being the mother ship, and for being in Chelsea Market.

Ayada at Chelsea is just as good as the Elmhurst location, based on the meals I’ve had. Though the prices are slightly higher - the rent ain’t cheap at Chelsea Market, I’m sure. 
 

That said it’s one of those weird situations where they’re one of our top choices for a nice lunch at CM but in Elmhurst they’re not even in the discussion anymore. Too much competition out there, I guess. 

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12 hours ago, SethG said:

That said it’s one of those weird situations where they’re one of our top choices for a nice lunch at CM but in Elmhurst they’re not even in the discussion anymore. Too much competition out there, I guess. 

This is good to know; we certainly don't get out to Elmhurst that often (one time was when I got my first Covid vax at Elmhurst General, and we brought home from Ayada), but I do remember enjoying Zaab Zaab. What else should be on our list. @SethG? I did try the new Zaab Zaab in Essex Market yesterday...they might need a little more time to get up to speed. And when something says "grilled," cooking it on the flat top is not exactly the same thing.

12 hours ago, relbbaddoof said:

@MitchW, @SethG, what have you eaten there that you particularly like?

We've been once - enjoyed the drunken noodles, pork larb, and sausage.  The spring rolls were good too - nicely fried, not greasy.

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20 hours ago, relbbaddoof said:

@MitchW, @SethG, what have you eaten there that you particularly like?

I like the weird “fluffy” fried catfish thing that isn’t at all what one would think of when they hear the phrase fried catfish. The raw shrimp and bitter melon salad I’m also very fond of but it’s admittedly not for everyone. The duck curry was solid, but honestly is hard to find a duck curry I don’t like so take that for whatever it’s worth. 

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