"Here's a rewritten version of the restaurant review:
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Last Valentine's Day, we spent the evening at Eleven Madison Park, the top restaurant in the world (with 3 Michelin stars), followed by Sushi Yasuda (1 Michelin star) and the charming speakeasy, Campbell's Apartment, nestled in Grand Central Station. Cafe Donira is a delightful blend of all three of these outstanding NYC establishments, and so much more.
Our adventure began as we drove down a dimly lit road—one I had somehow overlooked the first time. We anxiously hoped our Waze was guiding us correctly. Suddenly, we arrived at “Your destination is on the left,” and in the surrounding darkness, we spotted a bright porch light and a well-lit sign that read "Cafe Donira." A little unsure of the entrance, we found our way to a beautifully decorated enclosed porch adorned for Valentine's Day, where refreshing lemon-infused water and cookies awaited us to kick off the evening.
Inside, we discovered two rooms, both exquisitely decorated—one in green and the other in pink. As we were about 20 minutes early for our reservation, we settled on one of the sofas outside to wait. A gentleman approached my wife, asking if she was Russian; she confirmed, and they began chatting in Russian. To our surprise, he produced a guitar (more on that later). Just then, another man appeared, asked for my name, and said, “I have you in the pink room; please follow me.”
As we took our seats, I was transported back to my grandmother’s home—it felt just right, quaint and beautiful. Shortly after, we were served fresh bread accompanied by a delightful sour cream and dill dip. While browsing the menu, the first gentleman we met joined us at the table and began strumming his guitar and singing in Russian! He was actually a regular, serenading us with beautiful songs. Although I don’t speak Russian, my wife does, it wasn't necessary to appreciate the beauty of the music.
Now, about the food: we ordered so much that the owner hesitated, concerned they had prepared enough for the evening. But we were determined to try everything! The mushroom julienne and chicken fritters were fantastic starters. We nearly filled up, but forged ahead to enjoy the borscht and Olivier salad, both perfectly balanced with dill and sour cream. And yes, we even ordered four entrees! The beef stroganoff and pelmeni were simply outstanding. Although we started to get full, we just couldn't stop eating! The pelmeni are handmade, served in a charming clay pot, and they were perfection on a plate. Everything was exquisite; I may have gained five pounds from dinner, but it was absolutely worth it!
Reflecting on the experience, one word comes to mind: family. From the moment we walked in, we were treated like family. The decor, the warm atmosphere, the other guests, and the owners—all made us feel at home.
In conclusion, this was an evening to remember. If you're seeking an authentic and delicious Russian dining experience, I highly recommend Cafe Donira. You might leave a few pounds heavier, but I promise you'll also leave with a big smile. It's truly a hidden gem!"
