Pierogi Bar St Pete — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Unfortunately our experience at this place was not good. The place had few customers, yet we waited at the front desk several minutes to even be acknowledged by the 3 employees doing nothing other than looking at us multiple times. I believe the owner was at the bar near the entry doing some business - and yet that did not make the staff be more attentive. To me that says a lot about the owner and the culture of the place.

The prices posted online are lower than the menu in restaurant.

We ordered the following: Jumbo crab cakes - these were two tiny crab cakes (maybe 1in diameter), nothing that could be called jumbo. They were tasty but overpriced for the tiny size. I gave it two stars because the taste of this appetizer.

Potatoe cakes - way too salty and greasy. Falling apart. The plate the was coated in a lot of oil. No sour-cream side. They tasted like fried mashed potatoes with a lot of salt. Way over-priced.

Pierogi - most disappointing part of the experience. We ordered the variety plate so we can try out different ones. To start with, they were somewhat undercooked (the dough was raw at edges where thicker) and were served with a tiny amount of sour-cream (like 2 teaspoons for a dozen pieces, insufficient). Absolutely no crisp, nothing like the pictures posted by others, they looked boiled. After cutting into several, they seemed to be the same (potatoe and cheese). I asked the server if she ordered the variety plate and she confidently said that we got the variety plate. We are not the kind of people that make a scene at the restaurant, so we just left thinking that the pierogi left to desire and they were quite boring and similar despite their fancy descriptions (we have had them before in other places so we know how they should be)... imagine our surprise when we looked at the bill after we left and saw we were charged a place of cheese pierogi...which fit the description of what we ate (and they were not great)...so the server ordered the wrong thing and lied to us about what it was. Mistakes happen but one should take responsibility and correct a mistake.

Lastly - the bathroom was filthy. Not due to customer making a mess, just has not been appropriately cleaned in a good while. In my books that says a lot about the place. I can't see the kitchen but the bathroom is a still a reflection of the standards accepted by the business owner. Especially for a place that opened recently in this location (that's what we have been told) - no reason not to thoroughly clean the place before you let customers in. Unless you don't care.

Needless to say it's not a place we would recommend to others or return to.

To the person that answered the review: I appreciate the time you took to write the answer. My opinion is that you should not open the doors to customers if your place is not clean, the servers not trained and dishonest and the food does not deliver quality. As a business owner you set the standards and the service...

I am so confused by the reviews. I'm sad because I love supporting small, local restaurants. But this was pretty disappointing all around.

We planned on coming to the Pierogi Bar, but the name outside still says O'Bistro, a self labeled restaurant and martini bar. We figured we'd still try because of the high ratings. By the title out front, it seemed like it would be quality and upscale. But inside the place seemed cheap and unoriginal. They did have a bar area but nothing seemed special or exciting.

As we thought we were going to a perogies place, I got potato and farmers cheese perogies. Sadly, if it weren't for the caramelized onions on top (for an extra few bucks), there would have been zero flavor. No vegetables or nutritional value. My friend got the platter and an Old Fashioned and said both were "fine."

We got there a little after 6pm and felt odd being easily the youngest guests by at least 10-15 years (and I'm 36!). We ordered relatively quickly and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. But then the waitress came to ask how things tasted before we'd barely had 2 bites. Sadly, the food was bland. She didn't come back to evaluate if we needed refills.

We were about halfway done with our meals when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert. Thought it was a little early as we were still very much eating the entrees and hadn't even had time to consider whether I'd have space or evaluate what the options would be. So we declined dessert. But since my glass had been empty for some time, I asked if I could please have a refill. Then she dropped the check while we were slowing down on our entrees. Plates hadn't even been cleared (because we were still eating) and the check was on the table. As soon as we'd finished, she came to clear the plates and asked if the check was ready. No, we were just putting our forks down now. She did bring a refill, but it tasted like lemon chemicals had been added. I had two sips and the roof of my mouth started to tingle. Not worth drinking whatever was in that glass.

The place could probably sit 25 tables total and only 2 were taken including ours. A 3rd walked in towards the end of our meal and they were sat immediately behind us, leaving us no space to talk privately. They could have been sat anywhere.

Overall, nothing was horrible but nothing was good. Everything just felt weird and uncomfortable and rushed. It's not like they needed to turn the tables quickly.

For the food quality, it was expensive. The service was minimal and mediocre. Super disappointed and hope others have a...

We set out for O Bistro to find it closed, and the Ukrainian Restaurant in its place, so decided to try it.

While the food was bland and underwhelming, the price was astronomical! The pierogies were as good as any supermarket brand and of average size. The potato pancakes were, well, potato pancakes. Nothing special, no apple sauce, as is traditionally served with potato pancakes. The kielbasa was ok, but again, nothing to write home about. These are the items found on the sampler platter.

We had two sampler platters, one salad, and two iced teas. The total bill? $84!

So, what was on the sampler platter? Two kielbasa sausages, 3 small potato pancakes, and 3 Pierogies! That's it! Appetizers!

We were shocked to find that an iced tea refill was $4.50! Yes, we paid $4.50 for the first iced tea, and then $4.50 for the refill, and they don't bother to tell you that they intend to charge you for another beverage before pouring it! I could not believe that 1 iced tea with a refill was $9!!

Wonder how "real" the 5-star reviews are. Can't imagine anyone being ok with the quality and quantity offered for the exorbitant price! Also, check out the proprietor responses (many have been removed after having been pointed out by myself and others). They are telling to all honest reviewers.

I've spent less money at better restaurants for more food.

We felt price gouged, left hungry, and totally unsatisfied.

Definitely will not be back.

Can not recommend due to outrageous prices, small amount of average (at best) food.

Avoid.

AFTERNOTE: The owner likes to claim unfavorable reviews are from his competitors and spammers to avoid acknowledging his own deficiencies. There is a reason why the photos reflect an empty restaurant. Just take a look at the posted pictures. I have more than 1,300 contributions and more than 200 fair reviews, and the review left here is true, accurate, and fair. Read the owner's response, then decide if this is an establishment you want...