How can this New York institution close?

You don't go to it enough

It's not closing. They just spent millions renovating it.

Yes, it is closing. See today's NYTimes.
I'm not surprised. They tried to turn it into a tourist trap like their other property, Tavern on the Green, taking away the best part of the atmosphere of the original RTR.

I just heard it on the news as well. It is one of the most impressive restaurants I've been to. In my opinion, the restaurant is closing not because of afteraffects of Sept. 11, but because of the food, and perhaps because SO much was spent on it's renovations, that it's now difficult to make up. The food is not what I expected, and I was a bit disappointed in that. I personally preferred the menu from the old Russian Tea Room. My preferences though, are based on my Russian heritage, and this menu didn't meet what I was personally looking for. I will say though, that there were good selections. More than anything though, the new restaurant was really something to see. Words do not do it justice.
I'd recommend anyone who is able, to get there before it closes. And, when you do, walk through it; get to all floors. The giant Russian bear aquarium on the second floor was impressive, in a royal blue and gold room. The ground floor is in red and the third floor was also beautiful, although if I recall, was for private parties. I believe it's closing next week.

I am so happy that the tacky reign of the Russian Tea Room is over. The last time I was there, there was hair in all of our sauces (that's right, not in just one). There was no apology, just more sauce.

The food was awful and overpriced, and the place is just SO TACKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad to see it go.

30 years ago I went to the Russian Tea Room for the first time. I loved it! I had food that I had never eaten before, everyone was dressed so nicely, it was a beautiful room.The waiters were so nice.
I am sad that another old New York restaurant is closing.
There are so many crap places (Jekyl and Hyde, HardRock) too bad they can't open more decent places.

I forst went to the Russian Tea Room in the early 1970s & adored it. Have to admit the quality of food & the "atmosphere" degenerated in recent years in spite of the spiffing up of the renovation. Friends from NYC tell me that The Firebird now has the "old" Russian Tea Room's clientele. I don't know how accurate that is....