Overcast 34° » 5-day

You are not logged in

New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Home > Restaurants > Kiev East

Kiev East

117 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003
at 7th St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-420-9600 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Reader Rating:

    7.5 out of 10

      |  

    2 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Eastern European, Russian
View Slide Show
Youngna Park

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Bar Scene
  • Kids' Menu

Reservations

Recommended

Profile

This venue is closed.

First Veselka and the 2nd Avenue Deli get makeovers, then Leshko's undergoes a witness-protection-program-worthy face-lift, and now the lovably grubby Kiev has morphed into this well-scrubbed version of its former self. Take comfort in the fact that the menu still includes old favorites like borscht, blintzes, pierogi, and potato pancakes; and, as a Kiev regular put it, "Well, it smells the same."

7.5 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
50% Would you go back?
50% Would you take a date?
50% Would you take kids?
50% Would you go on business?
50% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 6.5
Service: 9.0
Décor: 8.0
Value: 6.0

The good old days are gone

Queensian from | Posted on 12/20/04

Overall Rating: 5 (Mixed Reviews)
Food: 3
Service: 8
Décor: 6
Value: 2

I hadn't eaten at Kiev in many years but an out of town guest had heard about it and wanted to give it a try. Yes, there's been a facelift. In addition, there are now Asian-inflected entrees on the menu. It says they still serve pierogies, blintzes and stuffed cabbage, but what arrives on the plate bears little resemblance to what they served in the good old days. An order of pierogies is four little dumplings on a plate. An order of blintzes is one (1) blintz. The farmer cheese version now has orange flavor in it, with powdered sugar on top. Gross. I had a disappointing stuffed cabbage and a tiny cup of borscht with no beets in it that I could see or taste. Everything was overpriced and the portions miniscule. Why eat here? I can't think of a good reason, especially since Veselka and the Ukrainian National Home are within walking distance.

Makeove Maintains Classic Charm

Gourmetguynyc from | Posted on 5/28/04

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 10

The new owners of Kiev East have managed to keep what was great about the landmark East Village diner (the pierogis, the challah bread and borscht), but have added great new dishes (my favorite: a reuben or kielbasa sandwich for lunch, ribs or eggplant goulash for dinner, and a chocolate blintz or banana splitzki for dessert). While the classics, like chicken kiev are still great, the new dishes have a touch of the Asian, and please the modern palate in search of lighter fare. The new decor is warm and cozy. I've been there with parties of 20 friends (the full bar serves a great variety of martinis and champagne). And I've enjoyed romantic dates there as well. The service always comes with a smile, and the prices are still diner cheap! They even have poetry readings and will soon stage Shakespeare! It's a unique place! A classic landmark reborn, and I'm now a regular!

Read All 2 Reviews >>

Advertising

Latest News Near

Advertising
Advertising