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NRN EDITORIAL
With a combination of glitz and glasnost, the Tea Room,
founded in 1927 by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet who fled after the revolution, became a tourist destination for more than half a century
The Russian Tea Room, the Manhattan fine-dining neighbor of Carnegie Hall that first opened its doors in the 1920s and went on to earn an international reputation for over-the-top grandeur, died.
With its combination of glitz and glasnost, the Tea Room, founded in 1927 by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet who fled their country following the revolution, became a tourist destination for more than half a century. In the end, however, the celebrated red palace, which already had weathered 75 years of history, found it ultimately was not immune to tough times.
The official cause of death cited by company executives was "the slowing national economy and the tragic events of 9/11." But the closing of a restaurant that boasted four kitchens didn't really come as a surprise to industry insiders or savvy New Yorkers. Tourism is down across the United States, but New York City still is smarting royally from a lack...