Pushkin Restaurant & Bar

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1. DS

   DrSam

   San Diego

   25 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined on 23 April 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We love this little unique restaurant with its various Ukrainian, Russian, and Armenian food selections. Delicious! The herring with beets and potatoes, mushroom pirogies covered in beef stroganoff, Cornish hen perfectly cooked, rabbit, stuffed cabbage, lamb, stag and I could go on, are all fabulous. The dark Ukrainian beer and the unusual mixed drinks are excellent as well. The honey cake and Blinis with warm fruit are beyond delicious. It’s truly heartbreaking to learn that in May they will be changing it over as a lounge after being here 7 years. Mostly because of the name Pushkin a Russian poet. With war going on with Russia and Ukraine they lost customer support from the San Diegians. The owner isn’t even Russian and most of the employees who are Ukrainian will soon need to look for a new job. It is truly heartbreaking. There isn’t a Restaurant in San Diego that comes close to serving old world Eastern European food.
   

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2. e

   erikab

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 21 April 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My original reservation did not get received, however, the host was wonderful and fit our 20 person party in last minute. We had to wait a while at the bar but the drinks were amazing. Would love for them to open the loft for seating again but still love the service and food at this restaurant.
   

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3. R

   Randy

   Chicago

   72 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   72 reviews

   Dined on 10 April 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   The beef stroganoff is fantastic, and the service was fast and friendly. We will definitely be back.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Richmond

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 17 March 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We loved everything! Our server was so sweet, the lamb shank was amazing. And we had fun doing the infusion flights! Highly recommended!
   

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5. NH

   NatalieH

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 12 March 2023

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   I will definitely be going back. We enjoyed an evening of live keyboard and JAZZ vocals and the service was great! I love the decor, too! I can’t believe I never knew about this hidden gem.
   

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6. ED

   EllisD

   Austin

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 10 March 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food was delicious with mine being the Pelmeni Beef From Babushka while my wife enjoyed the Golubtsi With Beef. The decoration was well done and cute, and our server was attentive. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and come here next time I am in San Diego.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 12 February 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We initially had reservations across the street at STK, and after ordering drinks quickly realized the ambiance/vibe wasn’t good and left. We stumbled across Pushkin by chance and were impressed from the moment we walked in. The decor was fun, funky, and whimsical. The staff was friendly and attentive. We tried many things we had never heard of and enjoyed every sip and every bite. We also ordered the Beed Stroganoff (my husbands childhood favorite) and it was 10x better than we’ve ever had before. Rich and delicious. We even had an infused vodka tasting flight! This place is the perfect start to any night out in downtown. Especially if you’re going to The American Comedy Co because it’s just across the street. We will be back for sure.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Seattle

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 29 January 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everything was very good. The food was delicious and very much like home. We waited for our main course for a while and the restaurant gave us additional round of infusions on them which was a great gesture! We’ll definitely come back more
   

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9. R

   Randy

   Chicago

   72 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   72 reviews

   Dined on 28 January 2023

   overall5food5service3ambience3

   The beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes is fantastic!
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I had the best experience there! The restaurant ambiance of books, paintings, and music felt like stepping out of bustling San Diego into a different world. I was greeted and seated immediately by a well dressed friendly professional gentleman with a formal hat. I was unfamiliar with their menu and specialties, so asked the waitress what she recommended and why, so I had some food experiences i probably wouldn't have selected on my own. Great recs! I had the Chekhov cocktail- very refreshing. The Olivie with Chicken Salad tasted great and was presented nicely. I was by myself, so a few of the other appetizers and other starters that looked tasty and interesting would have been too much for one. For main course, I had the Siberian Stag- oh, wow! It was 3 pieces of meat arranged well on a bed of arugula with some balsamic on the arugula. I ordered it medium, which was perfect for this dish. It was so good and perfectly done, that I think i could have this every time on every future trip to San Diego. For dessert, she recommended the Medovik- Russian honey cake. I had not had it prior either. Cake was multi layered, topped with powdered sugar, served with thin slices of strawberry. It was delicious. Sweet, but not overly sweet- very well balanced, especially with the strawberries. Price was about expected for very nice restaurant in downtown San Diego. Definitely would come here again on my next trip here. I took pics of my food the way they came out to me, and attached them.
    

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11. g

    georgeb

    San Diego

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 January 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The ambiance is very nice and quiet with Russian decor. Good traditional Russian food and drink. We have eaten there a few times. The prices are a bit high, $31 for Beef Stroganoff and $20 for a carafe of pear soda. On this visit, the portions of the Beef Stroganoff were half of what we had on previous visits, but everyone enjoyed their meals.
    

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12. M

    Makemeblonde

    Las Vegas

    16 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 8 January 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience1

    Olivie salad was not great, neither was borscht или solianka. We make better at home. Server had too many jobs to do- clean and bus tables, Serve and bartend. Felt neglected and then rushed. Weird vibes and terrible music, no Russian or Ukrainian music. All sleepy covers of pop songs. Очень разочарованы, заказали Квас, так и не попробовали. Хотя в чеке был Квас который не принесли. Также у моей жены сегодня день рожденья 7 Января. По этому и заказали заранее столик и указали что празднуем день рождения. 7 Января также Рождество, но ресторан Пушкин про это просто забыл. Не рекомендую! It didn’t feel Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian or Georgian at all. Smoke kept blowing in from the street and it was gross. Also there were two patrons or were they staff members? They were wresting outside on the sidewalk when we left- very trashy. Super disappointed since we actually enjoyed the take out we ordered from here on Uber eats a week ago and thought it would be nice to dine in the actual restaurant.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 7 January 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    The food was mediocre. Stuffed cabbage had no flavor, the strruganoff streak had Texas fries and watery sauce.
    

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14. TF

    ThomasF

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 4 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a quiet night ...only 3 couples in the place. So service was excellent as was the food and drink. First time I had caviar and vodka. They treated my wife special because she spoke Russian and it was her birthday. They gave her birthday cake with a candle. We took the tram downtown which saved $ and time parking.
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 31 December 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Excellent Tzars Snack (Bone marrow with black caviar) was a must try. Lamb shank was a bit on the dry side but still good. We didn’t try the honey cake cause portions are quiet generous, perhaps next time. All in all, recommended!
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 December 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience4

    Foods are served cold including soup. They have changed the menu 3 months ago, so expect 30% higher prices + 18% service fee on top of your check.
    

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was great and very different menu than your traditional restaurants. Waitress did a great job going over the dishes. Also great selection of different style drinks. Lamb dishes were excellent.
    

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18. A

    Anna

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Pushkin was where my husband and I chose to dine for one last date just us two before our baby is born, and it did not disappoint! Pushkin had the hearty food and romantic, peaceful ambiance we wanted. We were seated in the lover's corner and it was like stepping into a Russian fairytale land. Definitely reccomend this to anyone wanting a more unique dining experience without sacrificing on quality or atmosphere.
    

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19. B

    Brian

    San Diego

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 17 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’ve been wanting to try Pushkin for weeks now. I was not disappointed with my first visit. The drinks were tasty. The stuffed cabbage and rabbit were so delicious too.
    

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20. SB

    StephenB

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 9 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Met a few friends here for dinner and it was a great experience. We started off with a bottle of beluga vodka and bone marrow topped with caviar. The vodka was one of the best I've had. Very smooth but with some flavor. the bone marrow was amazing. We also had a chef's choice appetizer that included herring "under a fur coat" which I wasn't sure if I would like but I thought it was excellent along with pickled carrots and cucumbers that were also good. Some smoked meat and a salmon wrapped and cream cheese. My friends ordered borscht and a solyanka (soup). The borscht was really good. The soup was good but I probably wouldn't get it. I got veal cheeks in a red sauce with polenta which were good but I would opt for the lamb shank next time (based on what I saw delivered to other tables). The service was excellent. And the ambiance was nice. A bit upscale. It's not the cheapest place but fairly reasonably priced for an upscale restaurant.
    

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21. GC

    GeminiChick07

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 2 December 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Service & food were both great.
    

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 25 November 2022

    overall5food1service5ambience1

    Good service, but if you never tried Russian food this place not the best for that. We had soups taste like nothing no flavor at all. Ukrainian Salo not real, Pelmeni no flavor. If you have chance to other place for Russian food I will recomend to go.
    

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 October 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great dining experience for a group of us attending a conference and the convention center. Excellent attentive service. We all did the chefs menu so unique dishes kept coming that we all enjoyed. All very good. Great wine and spirits. Fun atmosphere. Was a highlight of our groups conference trip.
    

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24. NM

    NathanM

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 October 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was awesome, drinks and food delicious and the honey cake wow!
    

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25. EM

    EricM

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 27 September 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    The food was good for what we ordered. The signature drinks are good. Ambiance was great.
    

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26. E

    Eastcoaster

    Central Coast

    95 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    95 reviews

    Dined on 25 September 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Always a great experience at this Russian/Ukrainian restaurant. Food offered is like babushka made…almost.
    

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 September 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Drove from Los Angeles 2nd time just to eat here. Vareniki are my favorite
    

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28. AM

    ArleneM

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 16 September 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Bday. Great food $ service, menu suggestions & complimentary bday dessert. Pretty ambiance & lovely relaxing music
    

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 14 September 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So good we came two nights in a row!
    

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30. J

    Joey

    Denver

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 9 September 2022

    overall2food1service1ambience1

    Customers should never be addressed as, "GUYS", that was so bad. Prices are $2 to $8 dollars more than website. Beet salad did not have the golden beets as mentioned, only CANNED red beets! Mushroom and potato pierogis were good but could be warmer. Winter rabbit was boiled, lukewarm at best, no carrots only a cold carrot strip of puree. The duck breast, which is no longer on the website did not have the "crispy skin" as advertised, was far from crispy, we requested medium rare and got one breast that was not edible, very raw. We got our salad and pierogis on time but waited 10 to 15 mins. for our entrees. We were asked by one of the servers, "you GUYS ready for food?" they forgot to turn our order in to the kitchen.
    

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31. J

    Jpv48

    New Orleans

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 28 August 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Decided to try something different. We don’t have Russian food back home. Wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved my borscht and stroganoff! And the honey cake was the perfect ending.
    

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32. MA

    MARYM

    San Diego

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 23 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Most delicate, flavorful Beef Stroganoff we have ever had in our lives! And I had never had a Pelmeni (a type of Russian Dumpling) and it, too, was so flavorful, delicate wrapping, and the broth it was in was scrumptious. The Borscht was good, but very different than the other two I've had before, so not sure which was authentic - this one was more brothy and light, I sort of missed the heavier beet taste, but still good. And then there were the desserts!!! Oh my!! There were three of us at dinner, so we tried all three and they were each amazing!! We all agreed thr Russian Honey Cake was our overall fave, but the Sour Cream Cake was a close second. All the multi layers on these desserts was astounding. So be sure to save room for dessert - these aren't ones you will find most anywhere else. Nice server, interesting surroundings and delicious, from scratch food worth the wait! We also saw Vodka Tasting Flights that looked fun and the rest of their menu will bring us back to try more!
    

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 16 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a great experience!! Absolutely order the Mixed Appetizer Platter...you get a great sampling. Borscht was just like my Grandmother used to make. Drinks were stupendous!!! We will definitely be going back!!!
    

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34. CG

    CarolG

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 1 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was “homemade” & really good. Atmosphere & ambiance good. Service incredibly good.
    

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35. F

    Fitgirlsinspire

    Denver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 24 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My favorite place ever! We fly in from Denver specifically to eat here
    

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36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 7 July 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience4

    Great service and beautiful interior but… terrible food. No taste, greasy, way overpriced. Low quality products and recipes. Traditional Russian food is way tastier than this place offers.
    

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37. M

    Misha

    Las Vegas

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 3 July 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    We enjoyed the food, ambiance and music. We’ll be back!
    

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 24 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were there with several colleagues after a trade show. The food was delicious, staff was great and so was the experience.
    

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39. CE

    CarolynE

    Des Moines

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 20 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great little find in San Diego. The pierogis were great, but we loved the honey cake we got for desert as well. Strongly recommend!
    

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40. M

    Mina

    San Diego

    51 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    51 reviews

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    So, I had been looking forward to bringing my husband and daughter here to introduce them to the food of my childhood. We had planned our entire menu ahead of time: the pirogi, the herring, the golubtsi, beef stroganoff, the duck and of course the vodka shots. We got all dressed up and so excited for our big evening of Russian food discovery. We couldn't wait. We got seated and handed the menus. And then we waited. And we waited. And we waited some more. The waitresses sashayed past our table time and time again looking over our heads. I felt like I was sitting under an invisibility cloak. It was truly a new experience for us, and the worst service we had ever encountered. After 20 minutes of sitting there with the menus and trying to attract someone's attention to at least get some water, we had had enough, got up and walked out. Pushkin could have been our new go-to place, a place to take our many friends who love to visit us in San Diego. Tonight they missed out on a large dinner order, and lots and lots of future repeat business. Bye bye, Pushkin. You've got a lot to learn.
    

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