Moscow on the Hill

Reviews 5

BO

Boyd Savage

This review is long overdue, but is no less sincere for being late. My husband and I paid our first visit to Moscow-on-the-Hill back in 2001 after we first met. I made reservations for us there for their Valentines Day dinner. We were immediately taken with the warm, inviting and comfrotable atmosphere, the fine attention to detail and service during our meal, and most of all the exquisite food. We still can recall every detail of our first meal there, the mushrooms Julienne, the salad with a goat cheese heart, the entree of small turbines of fish with a delicate sauce, and medallions of beef that was unlike any beef dish either of us had before or since. And, of course, it was the first time we tasted their phenomenal cherry vodka gimlets, a drink we have since enjoyed on almost every return visit. We didnt know at the time that the lovely lady who came to our table to ask us about our meal was one of the owners, Marina, who we have been fortunate enough to get to know a little better over many years of happy return visits. Over the course of the last 14 years or so, one thing is clear and utterly consistent - the experience of food and service at Moscow-on-the-Hill remains exceptionally ejoyable. Some restaurants stumble a little every now and then, but not this place. We have eaten our way through practically the entire menu, and have been here for every season from the coldest winter night (one of our favorite things to do on a cold snowy night in January or February is go to Moscow to eat) to the warmest summer evening, when sitting on the lovely patio terrace brings another type of joy to meal. Our favorites include the stroganoff, the babushka stew, czars medallions, the cabbage rolls, the borscht, the house salad (the dressing is beyond delicious), and the blini (either with caviar or chicken). But my most favorite dish is the Siberian pelmini, which I have ordered so many times I am always a little afraid they might look at me at the next visit and say "the usual for you sir?" When I am feeling like I need a particular hearty meal, I order the pelmini "peasant style" for the fantastic mushroom sauce and cheese! When we were finally able to get married in 2013, we choose Moscow-on-the-Hill for a variety of reasons. We have such a history with this restaurant that it is part of our story as a couple. We have enjoyed introducing so many of our local friends to this fine establishment. We take so many of our out-of-town guests to eat there, and every time visitors from Norway have come, we make sure they get to enjoy it too. So it made sense that for a Sunday afternoon wedding in August, that the patio at Moscow-on-the-Hill would be the place where we wanted to take our vows. We were thrilled when we approached Marina and found them not only ready and willing but also eager for us to have our service there. Marina worked closely with us to arrange the service and meal. We choose menu number 3 from the banquet menus, and it turned out to be a substantial feast. Our guests ate the food with gusto and drank more chilled vodka than we ever would have imagined (note: if you are having a banquet there, order at least twice the amount of vodka you think you will need!) and everyone left the reception full of laughter and very happy bellies. Several of our guests told us it was their first time at Moscow-on-the-Hill, but they have all returned to enjoy it again since then, even some of our Canadian relatives who came down. The fact that a year and a half later people are still mentioning the reception and food from our wedding ought to tell you something about how really remarkably good this restaurant really is. I recommend dining at Moscow-on-the-Hill without any hesitation, and we will continue to return for what I hope are many, many more years of memorable times with groups large and small, and even every now and then, just the two of us, just like how we discovered this place for the very first time all those years ago.

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AL

Alice Vislova

Several years ago, I was sexually assaulted by the son of the owners of this restaurant. Me and a friend of mine were at the bar, and he chatted us up, buying us drinks. I had just met this individual and was not attracted to him at all, I had no intention of having any type of sex with him. Not sure if I was drugged or not, but, long story short, I woke up in his bed the next morning with no recollection of how I had gotten there. At the time, I was much younger, and embarrassed, and I didnt realize that it was what it was – rape. Now – too much time has passed to press charges (statute of limitations). But I implore you, friends – please stop patronizing this restaurant, its run by immoral people. These are the kinds of thugs that are degrading what it means to be Russian these days. I know the infused vodka is good but its easy (and, arguably more fun) to make your own infusions at home.

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HA

Haleigh Knowlton

By far and away my favourite restaurant ever. They hit the nail on the head in everything when it comes to what restaurants should do. Exceptional quality, quantity, pricing, service and atmosphere. While some people in the reviews are criticizing the restaurant for not being fully "authentic" that isnt what MOTH attempts to be. They cuisine they focus on is "Russian Gourmet", which has some distinct differences than "Russian" in that "Russian Gourmet" borrows a lot from French cuisine and applies it to otherwise traditional Russian dishes. But dont be mistaken, they have plenty of authentic dishes as well. If I had one wish, it would be that they would add solyanka to their menu as they dont have it as of this time.

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MI

Mick Dutcher

Great restaurant with traditional Russian menu located on Cathedral Hill in St. Paul. You cant beat the location. The neighborhood has a very nice, old St. Paul feel to it. Moscow on the Hill has an excellent menu with traditional Russian favorites as well as an amazing drink menu. Be sure to order the borscht. You might not see it on the menu, but I guarantee they have it and it is delicious. They specialize in vodka drinks, so be sure to give one of their custom vodka martinis or cocktails a try. If you are more of a beer person, dont overlook the Russian and Baltic brews on their drink list. You wont find them anywhere else.The staff were wonderful and friendly and the food was great! Definitely highly recommend.

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PA

Pastor C. Webb

My wife and I went for the first (only) time on this evening. The food was ok, however the service was horrible and the vibe was not good. What I mean by this is it was obvious to my wife and I that they, meaning the staff, basically ignored us and when the waiter did come He was not friendly at all. Also one of the staff maybe a manager walked by our table several times and did not speak or ask how was the meal, but did so to the tables behind and in front of us. As the only people of color in the restaurant I would strongly advise anyone from this community to not patronize this restaurant, which coincidently is in the neighborhood I grew up in. SHAMEFUL!!!

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