The Kiev Restaurant (also known as the Kiev Diner or simply the Kiev) was a Ukrainian restaurant located in the East Village section of New York City. The Kiev was founded sometime in the early 1970s, and for most of its existence was open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It was located at 117 Second Avenue, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Second Avenue and Seventh Street. At one time, the area was known as the Pierogi Belt because of the large number of Ukrainian restaurants; as of 2007, only a few remain. In its original form, Kiev closed in 2000. It then went through several abortive remodelings and reopenings, closing for good in 2006. The cuisine was largely Eastern European, including pierogi, challah, matzah brei, kasha varnishkis, blintzes, fruit compote and so on, though typically American items such as french fries were also available. The restaurant was a local cultural institution, famed not only for its cuisine and perpetual availability but also for the eclectic and colorful variety of patrons. It's mentioned in the song Detachable Penis by the band King Missile.
External links
- "Death of a Haunt", written in Fall 2000
- "Like a Phoenix, Rising From the Ukraine", an account of the 2001 reopening
- "Blinking at the Kiev" , an account from the final incarnation of the restaurant, written in early 2005
