Rus Uz, Uzbeki and Russian on N. Randolph Street and Fairfax Drive in Ballston

[astrid]

Rus Uz deserves a mention here.  The prices are moderate, the portions generous (3 huge lamb shish kabobs for less than $20), and the food is very tasty.  They're getting more popular, though we've been able to walk in and get seated each time.

[DonRocks]

They're getting more popular, though we've been able to walk in and get seated each time.

Rus Uz has been kind of "hidden" beneath that scaffolding for much of its life - it really does deserve some attention, but the siren song of Earl's Sandwiches is so, so dangerously close ...

[NolaCaine]

I agree with Astrid. The food is very tasty and the portions good.  I have been twice and last night did sort of a family-style tasting dinner with some vegetarian friends. Included in the feast was lamb shank (amazing) and plov with lamb on top (very, very good).  The stand out from my past dinner was cabbage rolls (covered in light red sauce with beef filling). I would like to have both the lam and cabbage rolls again.

We ordered the potato salad which came with (surprise) chicken but I loved it. The beat/bean salad is very nice but warning, it's heavy if you can imagine something that color to be heavy.

I have learned that I am not a fan of Uzbeck wine (too sweet) nor of infused vodka (cucumber tasted like pickle and raspberry tasted like Kool-Aid).

It's a nice place and good to see that it has a bit of a following (packed on a Saturday night but still one or two empty tables).

[rcoreyw]

Very quiet on a Wednesday night around 9. Tried 3 appetizers and 3 mains. The stand-outs were the chicken shish kebabs (Shashlyk), the Plov (a rice dish with lamb, carrots, chickpeas and raisins), and the compot (Homemade fruit drink with apricot, sour cherry, apple, and peaches). Overall, portion sizes were on the large size, particularly the shish kabobs (3 skewers and a side of vegetables).

Looking forward to going back again.

[MSDCX]

Sorry to be a party pooper, but for someone who grew up eating the food of the Soviet republics, Rus Uz does not cut it in terms of authenticity or taste.  Take the aforementioned shashlik (kabob) which came very undercooked, even for Western standards, and did not contain the right mix of spices (relying too heavily on zira).  The plov was the greatest offender, however, tasting extremely bland due to improperly made zirvak (the broth that the meat/onions/carrots and spices cook in before the addition of the rice) with mushy rice and did not come with the mandatory roasted garlic cloves and hot pepper on the side. There were some positives, however, like the lamb manti filled inside very delicate dough and infused habanero vodka shots.  

[astrid]

They took over the space next door and turned it into a great Russian/Central Asian food market. Rows of honey, preserves, pickles and more. My honey collection has gone from unwieldy to hard to justify.

[DaveO]

On 8/22/2015 at 6:43 PM, MSDCX said:

Sorry to be a party pooper, but for someone who grew up eating the food of the Soviet republics, Rus Uz does not cut it in terms of authenticity or taste.  Take the aforementioned shashlik (kabob) which came very undercooked, even for Western standards, and did not contain the right mix of spices (relying too heavily on zira).  The plov was the greatest offender, however, tasting extremely bland due to improperly made zirvak (the broth that the meat/onions/carrots and spices cook in before the addition of the rice) with mushy rice and did not come with the mandatory roasted garlic cloves and hot pepper on the side. There were some positives, however, like the lamb manti filled inside very delicate dough and infused habanero vodka shots.  

I'm ignorant about these cuisines but I do enjoy Rus Uz and have been there several times, mostly recently last week.  Its sooo "old worldy" with white tablecloths, soft music, reminding me of types of dining that have gone out of style, but are extremely pleasant.   If the staff isn't polished they are earnest and helpful and all those I've met are either Uzbeki (sp?) or Russian.  They do know the cuisine(s) and are helpful.

I think I've had caviar tarts, blini, their borsch(t) plov, manti, beef stroganoff, and some other dishes and tastes.  With regard to the above knowledgeable comments I think I'd wish some of my dishes were somewhat spicier but again I've no prior experience with the cuisine of this part of the world.  But invariably I/we have enjoyed the meals, the tastes overall, the service and the environment.  Meals and portion sizes are substantial and very well priced. 

...and frankly in one case with old friends we did vodka shots...and where the heck do you do that now and feel completely comfortable and appropriate!!!!

Its not only tasty and interesting, its fun and pricing is crazy inexpensive.  In that part of Arlington its one of my go-to restaurants.

[DonRocks]

On 8/22/2015 at 6:43 PM, MSDCX said:

infused habanero vodka shots.  

 

мои собутыльник!

 

[MSDCX]

On 2/3/2017 at 0:14 PM, DonRocks said:

мои собутыльник!

Дай знать где и когда

[Pool Boy]

Went here last night as a way to branch out more in the Ballston area since I am working there now. So my wife metroed over and we met friends who have been there several times before and enjoyed it.

Good and interesting Russian (and other European) beer selections. The smoked fish starter is delicious though enormous - it should really be shared for two people. The Fish Under Coat was tasty but I thought the herring was too much in the background of the dish - plus this starter, too, is also very large from an appetizer perspective. The blinis I am told are quite good.

The plov seems like a dish that should totally work, but I think was a smidge bland given the ingredients list. The beef stroganoff was quite delicious. The vegetables that went along with it were perfectly cooked, but had not one iota of seasoning on them whatsoever (maybe you were meant to paid some of the beef with the veg?).

It was a satisfying dinner, and the service was good. If/when I got back again, I will take in to consideration portion sizes, maybe skip the beer for something less filling and sample some other parts of the menu for something a little lighter (or consider sharing).  I will not be in a huge rush to get back, as I think I still have plenty to explore, but I think the smoked fish platter, alone, would be great on a summer day with a glass of wine, for lunch.

[ktmoomau]

Hubby and I just tried our Rus Uz the other night.  Despite it being very close to us this was our first time.  I had suggested it before, but I don't think Hubby quite knew what it was.  Anyway, we had some meat pies to start that were very tasty- flaky pastry, nice filling.  I had the vinaigrette salad with potato, beet, carrot, etc.  I loved this salad, and will make it at home.  I thought the flavors all went together nicely.  I had the manti and Hubby the plov.  I liked my manti, I took some home, as I couldn't finish the whole thing, but I thought the dumplings were soft and flavorful.  Hubby enjoyed his plov, it wasn't necessarily exciting, but the rice was nicely cooked in broth, the veggies were fine and the meat seasoned.  I had a nice hot herbal tea with my meal, as I wasn't feeling alcohol and Hubby got a beer.  We definitely would be back to try some other things on the menu, especially given the proximity to our house.

[JBag57]

Signage (actually, awnings) went up recently at what used to be called Hoffman Town Center (I think they are trying to rebrand it) on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria.  National Science Foundation recently moved into a new building adjacent to HTC.  The space they are going in used to be (I am pretty sure) a Ruby Tuesday.

[MODWOP]

Yes, it's definitely Rus-Uz coming:  https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/03/27/russian-restaurant-concept-to-replace-alexandria.html

Hoping this is location #2 and not a re-location because I selfishly love having them in MY neighborhood.