This is by far the best authentic Russian restaurant in New York. It is really not the kind of place where you get a table for two and have a quiet dinner. You should come here for a big celebration, and get a table for ten, at the very least. I recently attended a party at Rasputin, where the entire restaurant was closed for the event. I have to say that the level of service here is far above and beyond anything I've seen. As soon as you start to reach for anything at your table, a waiter will run over and get it for you. The quality of food is outstanding, and if you don't like something on the banquet menu, the restaurant is very open to substitutions. The show and band are also good. Of course, you should realize that the restaurant is expensive. That expense, however, will be somewhat balanced out by the lack of a corkage fee. In short, I will consider Rasputin for many of my special occasions.
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