Iconic Russian restaurant in New York had to hire security due to attacks by ill-wishers

“During the Cold War in the 1980s, people called us ‘communists. They still call us names. It’s just that now, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the names have changed,” said Vlada von Schatz, co-owner of the Russian Samovar restaurant in New York, in an interview for Insider.

Vlada was born in Leningrad and is half Jewish. Her husband was born in Odessa, he is Ukrainian and 100% Jewish. Their already adult children identify themselves as Russian-Ukrainian-American Jews.

In 1986, the Russian Samovar restaurant on West 52nd Street in Manhattan was opened by her late stepfather, Roman Kaplan, along with his wife Lara. Today Vlada's mother manages the restaurant together with her, her husband and their three children.

On the subject: Because of the war, a Russian restaurant in New York became Ukrainian

“From the moment our doors first opened, my mom and Roman have made sure the restaurant is a hub, community, and safe haven for all dissidents. For everyone who left or was expelled from Russia. After all, we were all running from the same evil,” the woman explains.

For many years the restaurant was a kind of center of Russian culture in New York. Famous Russian immigrants, such as Brodsky and Baryshnikov, sat within its walls. However, the owners of the restaurant never cared about the nationality of the guests. If you're in America, it's because you don't want to be there. I must say that in the last month the owners of Russian Samovar had a hard time:

“These days we have seen so much anger directed at our restaurant and employees simply because we have the word “Russian” in the name. On the phone we were called fascists and Nazis. We received hate mail. People were leaving one-star reviews on the internet saying "stop the war". Business has been down 60% since Russia invaded Ukraine.”

On the subject: Restaurants with Russian cuisine in New York are boycotted because of the war in Ukraine

Employees asked the owners of the restaurant to hire security. Being here, they do not feel at ease. Vlada's friend, a former Marine living in Tennessee, came to New York to provide security for free. This, he says, is the least he can do in the current situation.

Due to many unpleasant anti-Russian incidents, acquaintances began to suggest that the owners change the name. Russian Samovar was named after a Russian teapot by Roman Kaplan because the samovar is warm and people always gather around it. “We were called Russian Samovar even before the Russian Federation appeared. The restaurant appeared even before the collapse of the Soviet Union. I don't see the Russian Tea Room changing their name, so why should we? - says the co-owner of the institution.

The doors of the restaurant have been closed for almost two years due to the pandemic. More recently, his owners received another blow. The Restaurant Rehabilitation Fund said in response to their inquiry that they had run out of money and had no plans to replenish it. Now that the establishment can reopen, workers have to deal with this unfairly directed anger.

“War understandably upsets people, and I understand that. But even though people call us Nazis and want the restaurant to burn down, we do our best to stay afloat. The media has helped draw attention to the fact that we are opposed to war. We not only support Ukraine, but many of us are actually from Ukraine,” admits Vlada von Schatz.

People are calling and buying gift certificates with no intention of using them to help people stay in business. Others open accounts and pay for food in advance. The owners of Russian Samovar thank everyone for their support during this difficult time.