OP: The Russian Tea Room Cookbook (signed)

Richard Marek Publishers, New York, 1981. Hardcover. Very Good Plus. Signed first printing.

Imperial Russian Ballet expats opened The Russian Tea Room on New York City’s 57th Street in 1927. With its proximity to Carnegie Hall and the Theater District, the restaurant became a hub for artists of all types, as well as those in their orbit.

Faith Stewart-Gordon owned The Russian Tea Room from 1967 to 1995 and published a cookbook for the first time in its 54-year history in 1981. Co-authored by prolific cookbook writer Nika Hazelton, The Russian Tea Room Cookbook makes accessible to the home cook all the classic Russian dishes found at the restaurant. You’ll find appetizers as simple as grated black radishes tossed in a sour cream dressing and served in lettuce cups, as well as more complex projects like kulebiaka, described as a Russian beef Wellington—this variation being stuffed with flaked salmon, mushrooms, rice, and hard boiled eggs then wrapped in crepes before the flaky pastry dough.

A fitting souvenir from a stalwart of Old New York dining.

Ours is a first printing signed by Faith Stewart-Gordon. The book block and case are Fine and bright. The jacket shows wear, creasing, and minor chipping about the edges. Laid in is a New York Magazine clipping from December 10, 1990, showing the layout of The Russian Tea room and which tables regular bigwigs preferred.