Russian Samovar, New York

Continually plying guests with a classic Slavic spread of house-flavored vodkas, champagne, caviar, and dumplings, the Michelin-recommended Russian Samovar has also earned a place in Manhattan's heart as New York magazine's Best Bar for Drinking Vodka with the Russian Intelligentsia with its clientele of expat artists and performers headlined by Mikhail Baryshnikov. Red fringed lampshades cast a swaddling glow across a long bar where Polish, European, and American grain and potato vodkas take in essences that range from mellow apple cinnamon to more challenging horseradish and pepper. Caviar, herring, vereniki, and cured meats provide padding for the gourmet libations and raw materials for illustrating concepts of classic Russian architecture. Every night, live musicians regale the diverse crowd with folk violin, guitar, and singing while waiters strum steaming, more substantial plates of chicken kiev and beef stroganoff.