Maisonette Russe

Culled from: Drury, John. Dining in Chicago, New York: The John Day Company, 1931, pp. 92-94.

Note: The Newberry Library holds the personal papers of author John Drury.

MAISONETTE RUSSE

Introducing Colonel Yaschenko

Meet Colonel Vladimir Yaschenko, formerly of the Russian White Army, formerly of the Petrushka Club on Michigan Boulevard, and now the man responsible for admirable Russian food specialties at the Maisonette Russe. Polite, gentlemanly, suave, having all the refinement of a Russian reared amid the military pomp of the Czars, Colonel Yaschenko reflects true Continental hospitality as he welcomes you into his Russian restaurant, located in an impressive old town house on Lake Shore Drive, facing Lincoln Park.

The room is appropriately decorated in the Muscovite manner. The hangings are of dark blue, with touches of orange here and there; shelves at intervals contain old pewter pieces made especially for the Maisonette Russe (so we are told) by exiled Russian officers in Paris — pewter vases, wedding cups, loving cups, and long "dipper" cups. Mme. Yaschenko says these "dipper" cups were like the ones they used to drink wine out of in Russia. As a final bit of atmosphere, and adding considerably to your pleasure in this place, there is music and entertainment by the Gypsy Trio, in Russian costume, quite dashing and colorful.

As for the victuals, see Colonel Yaschenko! He will initiate you into the mysteries of Russian dishes; and when the meal is over you'll find they are not so mysterious after all. For example, there is borscht — a thick red soup made of beets, rich in flavor; Bitochki a la Scobeleff, which is chopped chicken cutlets with truffle sauce; a lamb barbecued on skewers and known as Shashlik a la Kars, and Tournedeau Rossini, similar to filet mignon. And there are lots of other delicacies on the menu.

In summer time, you may dine in a truly Continental manner at the Maisonette Russe, for Colonel Yaschenko has tables in the garden among the flowers and shrubbery, where luncheon and dinner are served. Gay-colored umbrellas are mounted over the tables and all is quite European and sophisticated.

Maisonette Russe, Russian

2800 Sheridan Road

Open for luncheon and dinner

Both table d'hote and a la carte. Table d'hote dinner, $1.50
Sunday dinner, $2.00

Maitre d'hotel: Colonel Vladimir Yaschenko