Ever heard of Tarwid’s Russian Bear restaurant? Me neither, but based on their postcard advertisements, I’m intrigued.
“America’s oldest Russian restaurant” boasted that it was “nationally famed the excellence of its Russian cuisine and beauty of true Russian atmosphere.”
Tarwid’s once had a prime location on Lexington Avenue in Midtown. Must have been the site of some truly epic working lunches.
According to real-estate records, the place relocated to Lexington and 57th Street in 1948, and then moved down Lexington to 39th Street in 1952.
After that, the trail goes cold. Today, the address leads to a 1960s-style apartment building housing several small stores.
I love the ELdorado phone exchange and the old-school ZIP code, only the last two digits necessary for mail to be delivered within New York City.
Tags: 1940s Midtown New York, 645 Lexington Avenue, New York in the 1940s, old phone exchange Eldorado, old restaurants NYC, oldest Russian restaurant NYC, Russian Restaurants New York City, Tarwid's Russian Restaurant
Ephemeral New York 
February 10, 2014 at 5:18 am |
It wasn’t a ZIP code, it was a “zone,” and Elvis backs me up on that in his song, Return to Sender (“…no such number, no such zone”).
February 10, 2014 at 5:27 am |
I defer to Elvis of course, but doesn’t the Z in zip stand for zone?
February 10, 2014 at 5:43 am |
Well, ok… yes, ZIP was the “Zone Improvement Program,” but this didn’t come about until the early 1960’s as I recall. But it’s a very important piece of trivia that I mention to anyone listening every time that song is played. (Why, yes, I am getting along in years, how did you know?)
February 10, 2014 at 5:56 am |
All Elvis/NYC Zip code trivia is always welcome!
February 10, 2014 at 1:52 pm |
Oh god yes (there was a bear there) my mother who was Polish would take my parents and I when she came in from California in the late 60s to the early 70s I remember buckwheat pancakes I didnt like the caviar but but they were great.
February 10, 2014 at 1:53 pm |
that should be grandmother not mother
February 10, 2014 at 11:57 pm |
I believe the ZIP Codes were introduced in the summer or fall of 1963.
February 12, 2014 at 10:22 pm |
This made me think of Sammy’s on Chrystie St for some odd reason…
February 14, 2014 at 12:46 pm |
There was an Old Russian Bear restaurant on East 56th St., between Lexington Ave. and 3rd Ave., during the early and middle 70s, but has since closed down. During that period however, an elderly violinist named Boris used to play there and was very good, but unfortunately he was injured in a car accident and had passed away within a few years. The Russian Chorus Ensemble were also habitues of the establishment when they happened to be in town.
February 14, 2014 at 4:44 pm |
Perhaps the 56th Street restaurant you write about was the final incarnation of Tarwid’s. I wish we could go back and visit.
September 27, 2016 at 10:56 am |
Yes it was the final incarnation of Tarwids! They had moved a couple of times. My Grandmothers sister and husband owned Tarwids Russian bear for many many many years. Tarwid was their last name. My great Aunt was a Russian singer and her husband kept the restaurant opened until the early to mid 70’s until he got sick so she could continue performing there. My father even bartenderd there in his early 20’s. I wish I saw this sooner so I could have asked my grandmother more questions about it, but sadly she passed away at 96 years old last year. Her sister Who owned the restaurant passed away a couple of years before at 101 years of age. My mother went alot to visit my dad and to hear my aunt sing. She said that through the years they actually had some big names perform on their stage, and that alot of celebrities of its day used to frequent it. I never got to go there or even meet my Uncle because I wasnt born yet, but I did know my Grandmothers sister and have to say that when she sang, she sounded like an Angel. My Uncle was right to keep it going for her, as she got to share her beautiful voice with all those who entered there. =)
September 27, 2016 at 11:43 am |
Yes it was the final incarnation of Tarwids! They had moved a couple of times. My Grandmothers sister and husband owned Tarwids Russian bear for many many many years. Tarwid was their last name. My great Aunt was a Russian singer and her husband kept the restaurant opened until the early to mid 70’s until he got sick so she could continue performing there. My father even bartenderd there in his early 20’s. I wish I saw this sooner so I could have asked my grandmother more questions about it, but sadly she passed away at 96 years old last year. Her sister Who owned the restaurant passed away a couple of years before at 101 years of age. My mother went alot to visit my dad and to hear my aunt sing. She said that through the years they actually had some big names perform on their stage, and that alot of celebrities of its day used to frequent it. I never got to go there or even meet my Uncle because I wasnt born yet, but I did know my Grandmothers sister and have to say that when she sang, she sounded like an Angel. My Uncle was right to keep it going for her, as she got to share her beautiful voice with all those who entered there =)
May 14, 2014 at 6:43 pm |
Axis spy Grace Buchanan Dineen hung out there in 1942. It was then located at 645 Lexington Avenue.
May 31, 2015 at 2:38 am |
The balalaika player on Theodore Bikel’s Songs of a Russian Gypsy, from about 1958, was Sasha Polinov, who evidently was regularly featured at the Russian Bear.
January 7, 2017 at 8:15 pm |
One of my best friends in life was Patricia Tarwid. We traveled to Europe together in 1977 and remained close until her recent death. I was blessed to know both her parents and her sister. Also blessed to have experienced The Russian Bear many times. I’ll never forget the sight of Patricia’s stern father keeping an eye on us. Patricia’s widower, Martin, is a dear friend. We keep in touch. I just purchased an old matchbook cover from the original Lex location.
July 3, 2023 at 12:05 am |
Keath North, I know you
April 13, 2017 at 1:49 pm |
I have a Russian Bear matchbook with the address 139 E. 56th Street.
June 25, 2017 at 10:20 pm |
I went steady with the Tarwid’s son. After we stopped going steady we remained friends for years. His father was very sweet to me and liked to talk; was very friendly. Their son took me to the Russian Bear a number of times and their son would order quite a few dishes so I could taste them, They were on 56th Street then. Their son also took me to their floor in his parents apartment bldg. They had a gorgeous samivar on a buffet in their dining room. Beautiful antique furniture. Their Russian gypsy band would play for us next to our table. I have a menu from there. Their son was 6;3″ and large boned at 15 yrs. old. I have interesting memories of back then.,
July 27, 2017 at 7:34 pm |
I am so happy to read more about the history of the Russian Bear. I attended a wonderful girl’s summer camp in the Catskills with Taisa Tarwid in 1948 and 1949. A daughter?
January 29, 2018 at 1:43 am |
this was my grandparents restaurant and i spent my whole childhood there, the 56th street location was a speakeasy in the 20s and still had secret rooms and other stuff related to booze smuggling left over from 50 years earlier. i used to climb around through the secret places at 8 years old where you could hear the ghosts of the ancient booze smugglers echo in the basement. i have 1000 stories of this place
June 27, 2020 at 3:36 pm |
Dear Todd, I’m an author writing about the NYC Russian Restaurants’ legacy. Wouldn’t you be so kind to reach me at e-mail “casadegatos199@gmail.com”, I’m very interested to make my story of Russian Bear more detailed with your help. Regards, Michael
February 21, 2018 at 2:58 am |
Taisa Tarwid was my first boyfriend’s sister. Everybody called him Sonny but he was named after his father, Romuald. Sonny was a very large boned guy, tall too. At 15 yrs.old wore a size 13 shoe, A sweet guy and so was his father. They had a entire floor of an apartment building Sonny’s parents owned.
February 21, 2018 at 3:36 am |
Romuald was my dad and his father was named miechewslaw which means Michael in Latvian,he was my grandfather ,he was born in Latvia but fought for the imperial army of Russia in ww1 and his father was knighted by the czar of Russia so he was given the title of Baron ,so he could have von tarwid after his name but seldom did because he escaped the revolution and came to America to become a dentist but got involved with a speakeasy ,he also was awarded the cross of St George for escaping from a German camping ww1
February 21, 2018 at 3:01 am |
Todd Tarwid: Are you Taisa or Sonny’s son?
February 21, 2018 at 3:38 am |
Sonnys also called Ron’s son,taicia was my aunt
June 29, 2023 at 12:05 pm |
Todd — if you’re still following this thread, hunt me down on SM. I miss you & so does my husband (Mark from Forrest Hills).
Elyn (from Stuy)
March 6, 2018 at 1:24 am |
This is my first time on this site. The memories came flooding back. Mieczyslaw and Titania were my parents; Sonny, Pat, and Wanda were/are my siblings. Only Wanda is now still living.
I was 3 years old at the old address at 645 Lexington Ave and 13 or 14 when it was moved to 56th St.. I am so happy to read some of these posts.
July 28, 2019 at 7:22 am |
Hi, im so happy to see this post, i know its a year old since you wrote it, but im hoping you see my reply. If im correct, your mom is my great Aunt Tanya, who is my Grandmothers (Ann) older sister. I believe she was also Pat’s godmother. I’ve met Aunt Tania and Pat, a few times growing up, and talked to Aunt Tanya on the phone many times when my grandmother talked with her. I would love to talk with you, as I have so many unanswered questions about the lineage. Let me know if thats possible, Thank you so much ❤
July 3, 2023 at 12:09 am
Cindy, I’m Tai’s daughter and have been working on the family tree on ancestry.com. I’ve met there the granddaughter of Tania and Ann’s brother Paul
July 16, 2024 at 8:06 pm |
Could you give me a call? 617-9106821 we need a next of kin for Todd Tarwid.
April 17, 2018 at 10:40 pm |
To Todd Tarwid: If you give me your email address, I will tell you nice things I knew about your grandparents and your father. I loved them. Your father was my first steady boyfriend and I think I was his first. We had a sweet, innocent relationship that was a friendship for years. I’ll give you my email address too. It’s up to you. I’ve never done this before.
Mary Stewart.
April 19, 2018 at 2:53 pm |
I would like to give you my email address but I would like if you were the only one who sees it, I’m not sure if I write it here if it will go out on this forum and be seeable by everyone or if this message system here is just between you and myself, please reply if you know if this is a closed message system and maybe give your email if so and I can contact you, I have a lot of photos of my father through his life from childhood on
April 27, 2018 at 11:26 am |
To Todd Tarwid: I will find out how we can exchange emails without others finding out. I’d love to tell you about my memories of your father and grandparents, the restaurant, etc. I would love to have a picture of your father for memories’ sake. I have one I can send you. I have to dig it up in my albums. I’ll let you know what I find out.
April 27, 2018 at 11:50 pm |
To Todd Tarwid and Tai Ryan: I talked to my son about giving my email address on this Web site and he couldn’t see a problem with it. So here it is: ammamary2@gmail.com
If you will email me, I’ll tell you about my memories of your father and grandparents. They are good ones. I loved them very much.
November 13, 2018 at 4:00 am |
After emigrating from Soviet Union I had worked in Russian Bear as a waiter therefore I knew Mr. Tarwid, his wife Tatiana and their children-Patricia, Romuald (Ron) and Wanda. It was a long time ago ( 1981-82) but I still remember all of them. Such a great memories! .
January 3, 2019 at 12:38 am |
Pat was a neighbor of ours on west 83rd St.in the 1960’s.
My mother and I were talking about her just today and the restaurant.
June 29, 2019 at 6:16 pm |
This was my grandparents’ restaurant. Tai is my aunt. Todd is my cousin. Wanda is my mom. Sonny/Ron was my uncle. Pat was my aunt. Spent a ton of time The Russian Bear. Especially after school eating piroshki and Russian bread. So many memories and stories.
July 28, 2019 at 6:27 am |
Hi!! Then were cousins! Aunt Tanya (thats what I called her) and my grandmother whos name is Ann, were sisters!! So your mom, is my grandmothers niece and I think that would make her my second cousin and you my third?!? My grandmother was also pats God mother. Im so happy I found this link, with all these comments…. its kinda cool finding family you didnt know you had ❤
July 28, 2019 at 6:58 am
And I would also like to add, that I would love to talk to your mom, to find out more about her moms and my grandmothers lineage, because as close as I was with my grandmother, she was somewhat weird with talking about her past and while I know some things, i still have some unanswered questions. Let me know if you think all this is possible, thanks!
July 28, 2019 at 9:45 am |
Sonny/Ron Tarwid was my first boyfriend. We were 15 and went steady. Our relationship was really friendship; we were innocent and young, I got to know his parents, ate at the Russian Bear a number of times. It had a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Sonny would tell me what to order. They had a little Russian gypsy band then that would stand at our table a long time playing. Sonny wrote me letters and called me from Stockbridge Military School. Later, I went to college in Virginia and he was in the Marines at Camp LeJeune in NC. He would hitchhike from there on weekends to see me. He would sleep on a bench in a nearby cemetery in his Marine dress uniform. I was afraid he’d get picked up for a vagrant but he didn’t worry. I got to know his parents and stayed friends with his father for years. I loved the Russian Bear and I loved Sonny’s very soul. I missed him when we drifted apart.
July 16, 2024 at 7:51 pm |
Nicole, I think you are distantly related to Todd Tarwid please contact me at 617-9106821. He is missing on Big Island Hawaii and we believe he is deceased. We need a next of kin.
November 1, 2020 at 3:32 pm |
I am Taicia’s daughter, Brenna, and what a delight to find this site. My Aunt Pat promised me days before she died she would look after me when she passed, and I have felt her loving presence every day since. I was telling my sweetheart this morning how sad I am the Russian language will die w our generation; Todd knows the most of all us grandchildren, but I don’t know how much he remembers.
November 25, 2020 at 1:24 pm |
[…] “Cocktail Time at an Old 1940s Russian Restaurant.” Ephemeral New York. Blog, February 10, 2014. [Postcards illustrated.] […]
February 27, 2021 at 9:25 pm |
I’m so happy to have found this thread!
Do any of you associated with TRB remember an osteopath named Dr. John Tully who frequented the establishment during the 50s and 60s?
I have no idea if this is accurate, but according to family lore, John successfully treated the son of a Russian mob boss who’d become addicted to morphine or heroin.
July 16, 2021 at 12:40 am |
Hi, everyone. I’m Todd Tarwid’s childhood friend that used to eat dinner with Todd and his incredible grandparents in their corner apartment. Todd lived in his own apartment down the hall from them in high school. I remember his grandmother throwing a glass of cold water into my face when I passed out on the couch. I loved her for attempting to shelter her grandson from a potentially bad influence (me) when it can be as easily construed that Todd was an equally bad influence on myself. We were, after all, teenagers that thought of ourselves as invulnerable tragic heroes on our own quests to become who we are. I do recall those times with the (von) Tarwids quite fondly.
July 17, 2021 at 3:23 am |
I’m thinking this is possibly Alex? who wrote this comment ,trying to remember who my grandmother threw water on..i sort of remember this day and also how she was unaware of my jeuvenile delinquency and thought my friends were bringing me down. Definitely thought we we’re tragic heros in those days, being a teen in the crazy streets of New York in the 80s . Kinda Bonnie and Clyde or True Romance (Slater and Arqutte) kinda vibe. Magic times
February 12, 2022 at 8:01 am
You know exactly who she threw water on. She would also throw ice cubes. And she knew you were a screw up. I really liked her. And it wasn’t Alex. Are you thinking Alex Story? She’s doing well. Do you know? Do you ever leave Homer? What about the time we saw Eek A Mouse at Danceteria? You don’t even remember the great days of youth. Those were the most incredible times. We were princes of the city. Young mad rebels. You have got to remember the ice water episode and the ice cube time too. So funny. She was truly a character. And your grandfather was a gentleman. Dinner at the Tarwid’s. With Schnapps. 1983.
February 12, 2022 at 9:20 pm
I would say this ice water story person to be Dave ,Jason or possibly Jacque who I would be hanging with in 83. I know it’s not not Jordon Biesel because I just spoke to him a few months ago. Or Kris saunders maybe. I have left Homer went to Thailand and bought land in Hawaii been there 3 times in the last few years plan to move there at some point.
February 12, 2022 at 9:23 pm
I would say this ice water story person to be Dave ,Jason or possibly Jacque who I would be hanging with in 83. I know it’s not not Jordon Biesel because I just spoke to him a few months ago. Or Kris saunders maybe. I have left Homer went to Thailand and bought land in Hawaii been there 3 times in the last few years plan to move there.
November 6, 2021 at 7:05 pm |
I went to Camp Jeanne d’Arc where I met Taicia Tarwid who was a counselor there and her sister Wanda Tarwid who was a fellow camper. I never made it to the Russian Bear unfortunately but I have fond memories of the Tarwid Sisters from my summers at Jeanne d’Arc.
November 14, 2024 at 8:58 pm |
In the 1970’s, my Russian language professors at the Yale Summer Language Institute told me to dine at the Russian Bear, which, they said, was by far, the best Russian restaurant in New York. They scoffed at the Russian Tea Room, saying that there was no comparison, the latter was mainly for tourists. Delicious food, lots of atmosphere…