Veselka
Veselka | |
---|---|
Restaurant information | |
Established | 1954 |
Owner(s) | Tom Birchard, Jason Birchard |
Food type | Ukrainian, Eastern European, American comfort |
Dress code | Casual |
Street address | 144 Second Avenue |
City | New York City |
State | New York |
Postal/ZIP Code | 10003 |
Country | United States |
Reservations | Not taken |
Other locations | Veselka Essex and Veselka Grand Central |
Other information | Family owned and operated |
Website | www.veselka.com |
Veselka is a
Veselka had three other New York City locations, two of which are now closed. A sister restaurant, Veselka Essex, operated at Essex Crossing from 2019 to 2024. Another restaurant, on East 1st Street and Bowery, opened in November 2011 and closed in 2013. A third location opened in October 2023 at Grand Central Terminal.
History
In 1954, the Darmochwals purchased a candy shop and newsstand at
In the following years, as the East Village became known as the Haight-Ashbury of the east coast,[5] Veselka became a social center for a cross-section of the community that included old-world tradition and new-world counterculture.
Veselka was nearly forced to close in the mid-1970s, when the
Veselka produces 3,000 pierogis by hand every day[8] and uses 500 pounds of beets[9] to make 5,000 gallons of borscht every week.[10] The restaurant has attracted notable patrons including musician Ryan Adams,[11] artist Sally Davies, director Bart Freundlich,[12] performance artist Penny Arcade,[13] comedian Jon Stewart and actors Julianne Moore, Chris Noth, Parker Posey, Justin Long and Debra Messing (who considers Veselka her "late-night mainstay" and her "absolute favorite place").[11][12][14][15][16][17]
Veselka remains a family-run business: as of 2020, it is owned by Darmochwal's son-in-law, Tom Birchard, who began working at Veselka in 1967, and run by the founder's grandson, Jason Birchard. The founders' son, Mykola Darmochwal, maintains a role as consultant.
Veselka continues to support the needs of neighborhood residents and Eastern European immigrants: in 1994, its kitchen staff included four doctors, three from Ukraine and one from Poland, who had recently arrived in the United States.
Media appearances
In the 1980s, Veselka began receiving reviews and awards that spread its reputation beyond its immediate neighborhood. That reputation was further cemented when the restaurant was used as a location for the films
In 2024, a documentary entitled "Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World" directed by Michael Fiore and narrated by Dave Duchovny, had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.[31][32]
Reviews and awards
Reviews of Veselka in traditional press highlight its
- "True Taste of New York Award" from the New York City Hospitality Alliance in 2019[37]
- "Age Smart Employer Awards" from Columbia University's Columbia Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health, 2017[38]
- "Best Comfort Food" from AOL CITY GUIDE in 2005.
- "Best Late Night Dining Award" from Time OutMagazine in 1996 and 2003.
- "Best Salad Under $10” from New York Press, 2001
- "Best East Village Diner" from New York Press, 1998 and 2000
- "Best Ukrainian Diner" from New York Press, 1999
- "Best Borscht In The City" from New York Magazine, 1997
- "Best Mushroom Barley Soup" from New York Press, 1990
Other locations
Little Veselka
Little Veselka, located in
Veselka Bowery
Veselka Bowery, located on East 1st Street and Bowery, was announced in February 2010[6][40] and opened in November 2011.[41][42] Veselka Bowery offered a more "upscale" version of the Ukrainian comfort food that remains a staple of the menu of the original Veselka.[43] It also offered an expansive drink menu and a selection of dozens of Eastern European vodkas.[43][44] Veselka Bowery closed in April 2013.[45]
Veselka Essex
Opened in 2019, Veselka Essex is located in The Market Line, which hosts a group of grocery stores and restaurants in commercial and residential development in the Lower East Side named Essex Crossing.[46][47] In January 2024, the Essex Crossing location closed.[48]
Veselka Grand Central
In October 2023, Veselka opened in the Grand Central Terminal Dining Concourse.[49][50]
See also
- East Village, Manhattan
- Kiev Restaurant
- List of Ukrainian restaurants
- Ukrainian Americans in New York City
Notes
- ^ Veselka | Manhattan | Restaurant Menus and Reviews. Zagat. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "Cheap Ass Food.com". Cheap Ass Food.com. January 22, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "Veselka". Serious Eats. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "The Veselka Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from the..." Chapters Indigo. October 27, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "University Press, University of Minnesota". Upress.umn.edu. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Moskin, Julia (February 24, 2010). "Works Begins on Veselka II". Diner’s Journal Blog. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Danford, Birchard 2009, p. 82.
- ^ Danford, Birchard 2009, p. 47.
- ^ Danford, Birchard 2009, p. 10.
- ^ Danford, Birchard 2009, p. 12.
- ^ a b "Gawker Stalker".
- ^ a b "The Blizzard of Odd: More Stars!".
- ^ Moskin, Julia (January 5, 2010). "The Restaurant Veselka Is a Beacon for Ukrainian Immigrants". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
- ^ Gail Saltz, M.D. "iVillage". ivillage.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Widdicombe, Ben (September 13, 2007). "Fashion Week makes Carmen Electra camera-shy". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007.
- ^ Seal, Mark. "Debra Messing's New York". Americanwaymag.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "My Favorite Things". Daily News. New York. May 10, 2001. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Kannapell, Andrea (January 26, 1997). "Pizza Job Sustained a Dream". The New York Times.
- ^ Orlow, Emma (March 30, 2022). "At Veselka, a Hub for Supporting Ukraine, Staffers are Reportedly Working Longer Hours". Eater NY. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Sauer, Megan (March 28, 2022). "This 30-year-old helps run New York's most popular Ukrainian restaurant: 'There is a line standing out' from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m." CNBC. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Fortney, Luke (June 16, 2022). "Veselka Reportedly Can't Find Enough Workers to Reopen 24/7". Eater NY. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Rahmanan, Anna (March 5, 2024). "Veselka will soon be open 24/7 again!". Time Out New York. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Tuder, Stefanie (March 26, 2018). "'Billions' Is Back and Still Spotlighting NYC's Hottest Restaurants". Eater New York. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ Maurer, Daniel (October 6, 2008). "Pierogi Placement". Nymag.com. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Baker, Lucy (October 6, 2008). "Serious Eats New York". Newyork.seriouseats.com. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "Trainwreck Film Locations". otsoNY.com. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- ^ Burton, Monica (December 19, 2017). "Iconic NYC Diner Makes Cameo in 'Ocean's 8' Trailer". eater.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ "Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Blaustein, Claire (January 24, 2008). "A Small Slice of Life, and Perhaps Pie". NPR. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ Yakas, Ben (November 12, 2018). "Anthony Bourdain Takes A Tour Of The Lower East Side In Final 'Parts Unknown'". Gothamist. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Pratt, Sean. "2024 Program Announcement | SBIFF". Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Rahmanan, Anna (January 31, 2024). "A new documentary about Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is premiering next month". Time Out New York. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Veselka – East Village – New York Magazine Restaurant Guide".
- ^ New York City Food Guy
- ^ "Veselka – E. Village – Details and Reader Reviews". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ^ "New Yorkers & Co". The New York Times. October 27, 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ^ "New York City Hospitality Alliance Announces Honorees". FSR Magazine. March 6, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Eisenberg, Richard (January 18, 2018). "How Age-Smart Employers See The Value Of Older Workers". Forbes. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Danford, Birchard 2009, p. 184.
- ^ Dobkin, Kelly (February 24, 2010). "Veselka on the Bowery Begins Construction". Eater NY. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Kludt, Amanda (November 4, 2011). "Veselka's Bowery Location Opens to the Public Tonight". Eater NY. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Johnston, Garth (November 4, 2011). "Veselka Brings The Borscht Back To The Bowery Tonight". Gothamist. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Maurer, Daniel (August 17, 2011). "Prepare For Borscht Martinis: Veselka's Bowery Location May Open Next Month". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Garth (November 4, 2011). "Veselka Brings The Borscht Back To The Bowery Tonight". Gothamist. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ Tishgart, Sierra (April 29, 2013). "Veselka Bowery Closes". Grub Street. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Dai, Serena (November 21, 2019). "Everything to Know About the Market Line, LES's Big Food Destination Opening Friday". Eater NY. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ McCart, Melissa (January 31, 2024). "Veselka Has Closed in the Market Line". Eater NY. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Fortney, Luke (October 2, 2023). "Popular Ukrainian Diner Veselka Opens a New Manhattan Location". Eater NY. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "Veselka". Grand Central Terminal. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
References
- Danford, Natalie; Tom Birchard (2009). The Veselka Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from the Landmark Restaurant in New York's East Village. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 0-312-38568-4.
External links
- Main Website
- New York Magazine: This Mural Can Be Yours
- New York Times: A Ukrainian Beacon in the East Village
- WOR Radio, New York: Interview with Tom Birchard[permanent dead link]
- Kyiv Post: Veselka serves hundreds daily with Ukrainian cuisine in Manhattan
- Thrillist: Every LES Spot Anthony Bourdain Visited in Last Night's Final 'Parts Unknown'
- TimeOut Magazine: 50 Reasons Why NYC is the Greatest City in the World