Iconic University Avenue Russian Tea House Ends After 40 Years

On Monday May 4 the Russian Tea House on University Avenue will close after 40 years of serving the Twin Cities borscht and tea cakes. Owners Nikolai and Linda Alenov shared with their Facebook followers a frank post that the plan had always been to work until one of them dropped. While, both are, thankfully, still with us, they are “teetering” a bit. City Pages reports that Nikolai had recovered from heart surgery this spring.

The Russian Tea House always felt like it had been dropped in from another, homier era onto bustling University Avenue, with delicate touches, cups of tea and homey Russian dishes served by the couple.

The parting post said that frozen bags of piroshki, quarts of stroganoff, borscht, Napoleon tortes and more will be available while supplies last. The final cup of tea will be poured on Saturday.

• Russian Tea House to Close after 40 years [CP]
• 11 Icons of Minneapolis Dining [ETC]