Somewhere between full-fledged Russian restaurants and purely Americanized eateries, there are places that try to be both. In my book, their success depends on which elements they decide to incorporate in their establishments, selectively borrowing from Russian and American restaurants.
Sweika in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn is an example of a place that does this well. There is still a brotherly Russian welcoming atmosphere, only it’s without the obnoxiously loud music that makes my ears bleed. There’s still typical French-inspired food with typos and grammatic problems on the menu, but it’s well executed.
Sweika (named after a book about a Russian soldier named Sweika) calls itself “Beer Bar & Restaurant.”
The place mats were cute, depicting Sweika himself:
And the decor makes you feel like you’re in a Russian bath house or a Ukrainian village home.
I got a dark beer to start (German). It was served in a chilled mug, which made it so much more delicious. I’d go back here just for the beer.
We ordered some salads to split. I had some with greens, asiago cheese and other balsamic vinegar. The red stuff was some sort of cold cut, but I don’t remember the name anymore. It was delicious.
For the main course, I ordered the salmon with grilled vegetables. This also came with rice. The salmon was smothered with some sauce, no doubt full of butter and undeniably amazing. The sauce was rich and the fish just melted in your mouth. The vegetables were grilled but a bit too oily for my liking. I made a trade off with my dad: my rice for his veggies.
And then there was this bread. Dark, soft, chewy, warm. AHHHMAZING:
My grandma ordered BBQ ribs, which got served on a freaking cutting board and with basically a mini-pitch fork. I also stole her carrots and beets 
For the grand finale, I had to get this dessert. Not because I wanted it, really. But because the description was the most epic dessert explanation I’ve ever seen:
Vesuvius: A dark chocolate brownie with a layer of caramel and NY cheesecake covered in chocolate ganache, followed by a layer of chocolate mousse, surrounded by dark chocolate truffle bombs, drizzled with caramel, chocolate ganache, white chocolate ganache and sprinkled with toasted nuts.
I split this with my dad and we didn’t even finish half. It was intense. You could probably eat just that and walk out of there full but I don’t recommend it. It was delicious, of course and beyond rich.
Sweika, you make me proud. I forgive the grammatic violations on your menu.
:~” I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives great information **:
My hubby and I discovered this restaurant on a warm spring day about two years ago and have been going back ever since. I like that the place isn’t overly Russian. Their food is absolutely fantastic. Their beer is tasty (and I don’t even like beer). I’d recommend trying the pretzels as an appetizer. Freshly baked and delicious. They used to have really cool serving plates too, but I guess those were hard to wash quickly so they switched to plain old white dishes. Whatever. This is a great, great place.
Excellent restaurant, easily among the best euro-food and beers in NY.. Just a quick correction, though…
The restaurant is named after a main character of a Czech literary classics. The name of the character Swejk not Sweika… and he is not Russian but a Czech (Bohemian). The name of this restaurant can be translated as “At Swejk’s” .
The name of the book where this character comes from is “The good soldier Swejk (Švejk)” written by a Czech satirist Jaroslav Hasek. The story of the book takes place in the early 1900′s in Bohemia and Austria in the early onset of the World War I.
Cheers.
all that food looks especially tasty, and that dessert
* yummy 
*
Is that restaurant new? I don’t remember it being there when I was younger, but at the same time would I remember if it was? lol
It is new! That area also changes like every day!
YUM! that bread and salad looks faaaaaaaaaab
HOPE YA DOING WELL SMALLSSSSSSSS!
that dessert looks like the most decadent thing ever. dang. well done!!
“surrounded by dark chocolate truffle bombs”
hahaha
Ha, grammar mistakes are charming in “ethnic” restaurants, no?
This place looks adorable…and also, super intense because it serves food on cutting boards.
What a glorious meal! I only can find places like that when I’m on vacation, so nice that’s in your own “backyard”!
I thought I taught you to always refuse a chilled mug? Oh well…
Wow – the restaurant looks SO fun!
Loved that dessert… Holy Moly!
Have a great week, girl!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I don’t think I’ve ever tried Russian food–guess I should give it a try next time I’m in Sweika’s neighborhood.
I was in as soon as you mentioned beer! That dessert looks freaking amazing! Wow!
haha your grandma’s eating utensils and that huge bbq ribs entree makes me laugh
That dessert is massive!! It looks so good! I used to go to restaurants and just order dessert all the time.. before I knew anything about living a healthy life that is. I still do it sometimes but not often. Dessert is my favorite thing about a fancy dinner out so why not ya know? Unless it’s a weekly thing. Hope you have a great week! xoxo
Wow, what a great restaurant! And I am loving that cake!
This place looks really cute. I love the whole decor of the place (and your grandma’s little pitchfork!)
I gather that the dessert had chocolate ganache?
lol