Market Street cafe is the only reason we go to the Eastside. I love to eat, and have been to some pretty great restaurants in different cities and countries, and it is some of the best food I've ever had. The atmosphere is great too -- cozy and warm, beautiful table settings, lovely music.
The biggest problem is that the menu is so great, we always have the hardest time choosing. The food is classic Russian -- the kind of things Russian aristocracy have eaten before the revolution. There are dishes that will remind you of French cuisine, like frog legs or fillet mignon in different styles; and decidedly Russian ones, such as blini with caviar. Everything we've tried was excellent -- on a lighter side, salmon tartar, the salads, and sturgeon shishlik are just right, or you might ignore your diet and splurge on tongue julliene or beef stroganoff, both in lovely rich sauce. For dessert, one thing we weren't crazy about was the fried cheesecake, possibly because we were already quite full. But the mango dessert was delightful.
The staff are not as polished as you would expect in a place like this, but they are very friendly and down to earth, which in my book beats pretentiousness any day. The musician on Friday and Saturday nights is first class, you are getting a free concert, but it is still subtle and soft enough that you can have a nice conversation.
We are already trying to find something to celebrate so we could go back there again!
Pros: The food, the atmosphere, the food!
Cons: too many tasty things to choose from!
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