Russian restaurants in Chicago

[romachko]

Does anyone know a Russian restaurant in O'Hare neighborhood, which is open on weekdays? White Nights is open only Sat & Sun.

AAA lists none in O'Hare area and only one in the entire Chicago: Russian Tea Time, which is located in down town. It is inconceivable for Chicago to have only one Russian restaurant while more than 30,000 Ukrainians, and probably more Russians, are supposed to live there. We found that my wife was the only Russian customer while we dined at RTT. We are more interested in a restaurant where Russians dine.

We are also interested to find a Russian food store. We found a Russian book store and a video shop in a run-down neighborhood of Lincolnwood. I wonder if there is an upscale Russian neighborhood in Chicago and its sorrounding towns.

Any info wopuld be appreciated.

[pamoshtnik]

... in response to Russian restaurants in Chicago, posted by romachko on May 15, 2005

Hi Romanchko,

All of the Russian and Ukrainian restaurants, food stores, bookstores, video, etc. I know are not in Chicago but in the north and northwest suburbs.

There are large Russian populations in both Skokie and Niles.  I am told that most Jewish Russians and Ukrainians are afforded housing in these towns upon arrival and then once they have made some money they move to Buffalo Grove, again a large Russian/Ukrainian population.

A Russian restaurant (all signage inside the establishment is in Russian) is called L'Mirage in Rolling Meadows.  I know, sounds French but there is nothing French about it when you are inside.  Another in Buffalo Grove called L'Ermitage was recently busted (within the last two weeks) as the owners are accused of laundering money.

My wife and I generally go to the food store Alef in the Mundelein/Diamond Lake area for Russian/Ukrainian foods.

There are many Russian/Ukrainians all over the Chicago suburbs that you will eventually discover.

Good Luck!