Sobranie Bar & Restaurant

I LOVED this place! A friend told me about it and took me there for dinner. First of all, the decor and atmosphere are really nice, and the staff is super friendly.
But the food was simply excellent!!! I've been to many Russian restaurants all over the world, and this is the BEST one by far!!
I hope Londoners will discover this gem and keep coming back to try some outstanding home-cooked-style authentic Russian food!!!!

We were looking for something "different and good" for a Friday night out and based on past Yelpers this place seemed to fit the bill. After nearly twisting my ankle in the street outside of Victoria station to get here, we entered and I was immediately transported to a casual but classy environment and offered some Georgian wine. I highly recommend any of the Georgian wines, but especially one of the sweet red varietals. I am not in general a sweet red wine fan...but this had a perfect flavor and taste. My husband compared it to Sangria, but it had a much more complex bouquet than that in my opinion.

So on to the food! We ordered a basket of brown bread and Pirozhok, which were described as 'cake' on the outside with a choice of potato, cabbage or mushroom as the filling. We choose one potato and one cabbage and were going to share. When they arrived at the table they looked (and smelled) delicious. However upon cutting in to them they were still frozen on the inside. Not a great start, however our server was very apologetic and assured us these would not appear on the bill (and they did not). As we waited for our mains to arrive the restaurant started to fill up and a guitar player and singer set up. They were a great duo playing Russian and sometimes American classics. At one point they even played 'Georgia on my Mind' by Ray Charles which was a nice touch,

Finally, the mains arrived and they were well worth the wait the Pelmeni, a sort of meat and herb dumpling served with sour cream was delectable. My husband had the 1/2 chicken Tabaka and it was moist and tender, though it was on the bone still, so he has to work a bit for his food. We finished out the meal with the chocolate truffle and ice cream and a shot of Chacha a Georgian Vodka.

All and all I give this place 4 out of 5, even wish the half frozen starters. We hope to go back again soon and really delve into extensive the cold and hot starter menu for a more tapas type meal next time.

I love trying something different and especially when I can get a Groupon for cheaper cocktails at this place. So I hopped over to Victoria to celebrate after work with some friends. Now I realise it's a bit hidden away and it was a weekday, but I expect a supposed bar to have some atmosphere at 7pm. This was DEAD. We sat outside so as not to feel awkward sitting in with the bar staff and waiters staring at us since they were obviously bored.
The cocktails were below par with a limited selection. I admit we didn't try the food, but all in all it wasn't exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday drinks.

The plusses of the place were the company (that I chose) and the decor was quite swish. I imagine that it could pull a really nice atmosphere perhaps on a Friday, but I didn't see that and don't want to chance going back to be honest. Shame, but you can't win every time :)

Sobranie was ok. I've had better Russian food elsewhere and this was average. The highlight was the blinis with salmon caviar.

We got a bunch of other things - smoked meat soup, beef stroganoff, rabbit stew (tasted just like chicken!). It was all pretty average. The only thing my friend complemented was the rice that came with the beef stroganoff which is never a good sign!

We got dessert as well. The Napolean was layers of puff pastry with cream but there was hardly any cream. The truffle with ice cream was nothing interesting.

So why the three stars? Our waiter was great. Friendly, funny, attentive.

My workmates and I went to Sobranie for a spare time. We ordered plenty starters: Herring, Mimosa salad, Russian blini with Salmon, but my favorites in this place were Russian Blini with caviar and Basturma.

Sobranie it's popular for their drinks and lounge type environment with live music and karaoke. In our table Georgian wine for a change and I couldn't leave without trying their famous "Black Russian".

I'll definitely be back and try their main dishes.

If i could, I would give it 4.5.

Visited this Restaurant Friday night. Brought along Johnny, for whom Russian food is a new experience.

The setting is lackluster. Shopping mall. Not inspiring. However, once inside, it is pleasant and spacious. We were there at 7 pm, early by Russian gathering standards. Service was top notch. Helpful, but not intrusive.

We started with traditional Russian openers: Vodka, Olivier Salad, Herring, Eggplant Caviar, Marinated Veggies,Beef Tongue with horseradish,Pate. All, but pate were excellent and true to the Russian preparation methods. Pate, was very good, but not "russian style" per se. To be fair, the waiter warned me that it wouldn't be. In addition to vodka, we drank Kvas (Russian fermented bread drink). Although out of the can, it was very refreshing and hit the spot.

Johnny thought the "potato chicken salad" (olivier) was heavenly, he didn't have too much herring :-), but did enjoy the Beef Tongue. The eggplant caviar was not to his liking - i think he was expecting Babaganoush.

For the main course Johnny had Lamb Rack with spicy sauce (very good) , I had chicken "tabaka" - A classic well recreated here.

For desert we have blini with honey, napoleon, and lots lots of tea. It was excellent as well.

By the time we were finishing, the band had arrived and were warming up with SInatra standards mixed with some Russian classics. Clearly, the place was getting set for a typical Russian "banquet" style.

We found prices moderate by London standards. which means expensive, but not horribly expensive. A 4 mile walk helped walk off some of the calories this type of meal will bring you.

If you know your Russian (or more precisely Soviet Territory) food, you will certainly enjoy this place. If you are looking to try a genuine sampling of this type of cuisine, this is it.

Enjoy.

My husband and me were not impressed with Sobranie restaurant at all, actually we were very disappointed.

We both love traditional Russian food and usually travel back to Russia twice a year and eat out every day in different restaurants.

So, we decided to try Russian restaurant in London and we were really looking forward to have a good food and enjoy the evening.

It was Saturday night and it was empty for the start. The chairs were extremely uncomfortable and hard. We both had 2 course meal there. The food was not a good quality, very small portions and extremely overpriced.

The service was poor as well, my main course was extremely salty so I had to complain but nothing have been done about it (no dish swap or discount on the bill) and they added £6 service charge. Pelmeni (meat dumplings) was not home maid but bought cheaply from the Russian shop. The beer is £5 and my drink apple juice was just a sweet water with no taste at all.

There was also an impression that it was quick in and out as they kept coming every minute to take an order.

We end up spending over £70 and came out hungry searching for another restaurant, this is considering that we are not a big eaters at all .

We will never go there ever again .