New York City is filled with many establishments trying to convey an old fashioned feeling to take you back in time. Many transport you to the prohibition era, where your cocktails are fancy and the lighting dim- you may even have to use a password to get in. 

Now it's time to take a step in another direction and visit the other side of the world without leaving the city. Imagine this, you are back in the early twentieth century in St. Petersburg, a time both dazzling and taxing, in a city in love with celebrations and fortune. The location, Tzar's manor where you are eating off expensive china while drinking from the finest crystal. You look around admiring the unique Russian Literature and luxurious staircase which leads to the parlor. While running your fingers along the sides of the empire sofas and antique chairs, you eventually find yourself in the room you were looking for, The Grand Ballroom. As you look up, you find yourself in the middle of the room staring directly up at the skylight. This feeling can be replicated at FireBird, a peerless restaurant which places you in Russia during pre-Revolutionary times. 

This space was originally designed by Baroness Irina von der Launitz to resemble Tzar's home which also pays reverence to the Firebird Ballet. Now under a new owner, Joe Valentine, the restaurant maintains its cultural heritage which allows for us to enjoy the finer things in life- caviar. You wouldn't be in a Russian Restaurant if that didn't mean washing it down with vodka. 

The Russian townhouse has three floors. On the first floor there is the China Room which seats anywhere from 35 to 40 seats and the Library room that seats 50 to 64 people. The Second Floor has three rooms, the Parlor, the Blue Room and the Ballroom. The third floor is where the outdoor patio and the Red Room are, which is also known as the Jewel of Russia seating up to 14 people. 

In the cozy Parlor Room, enjoy different types of caviar which range from the uncommon Grinnel, which has a black glossy color and a citrus flavor, to the Ossetra, which is known by large pearls deeply colored in grey & gold, which leave a silky-nutty flavor lingering behind. Caviars are served with traditional accompaniments including red onion, egg white, egg yolk, crème fraîche and buckwheat blini, all to be eaten with mother-of-pearl spoons to not interfere with the tasting process. If you are interested, they also pair the caviar with vodka, which is only meant to add to the experience. Champagne, wine and cocktails are also served.  

FireBird is open everyday, from 5pm to 9pm Sunday through Tuesday, and 5pm to 11pm Wednesday through Saturday. They are open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:45am to 2:30pm.