The Story of Sveta’s Ukrainian Restaurant in New York
- May 27, 2024
The restaurant Sveta is named after Svetlana Savchitz, the matriarch and co-owner, along with her son Alan Aguichev. The dynamic duo have faced and beaten the odds in search of their own American dream, creating a unique, ever-evolving menu of Eastern European fusion cuisine in the heart of the West Village.
From Ukrainian Roots to NYC
Sveta and her family moved to NYC from Ukraine in 1993. Food has always been a family passion, and she wanted to share the flavors of her homeland with New York. She eventually stepped out on her own, and her first Ukrainian cuisine restaurant, Sveta’s House, was born, bringing her delicious Eastern European recipes to the streets of Queens.
Alan grew up in Sveta’s House, watching his mother go out of her way to make the restaurant a beautiful space where people could feel like a part of the family. It wasn’t long before Queens returned their love, and Sveta’s House became a fan favorite.
Of course, the main attraction was Sveta herself. When we say things like “feel at home” and “you’re part of the family,” they aren’t just platitudes – that’s the ethos that she embodies. After a decade of success, she created Sveta, the famous Ukrainian eatery, with the help of her son Alan.
Creating A West Village Icon
The Sveta we know and love opened its doors in November 2019. With Sveta’s experience and Alan’s innovative spirit, the stage was set for the newest Ukrainian West Village restaurant to take New York by storm.
Unfortunately, there was a huge setback: the 2020 pandemic. Restaurants across the world were forced to close down as people self-isolated at home to try and stop the spread. As things slowly began to reopen, Sveta and Alan got creative to make sure that the restaurant would be able to welcome back its community.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the restaurant family once again had to dig deep into their reserves of resilience. It began with donating the proceeds of one of our iconic Saturday brunches but didn’t stop there.
The blue and yellow Dove Of Ukraine cocktail, made with Ukrainian Stoli Vodka, became a permanent menu item, giving patrons a way to show support and help raise money. Sveta is dedicated to waving the Ukrainian flag proudly in New York and helping those back home.
A Taste of Tradition & Resilience at Sveta
Every day, we add even more flavor to the story of Sveta, bringing together our family and community over Ukrainian classics and fusion favorites. Sveta takes pride in bringing the very best of the flavors of our homeland to the West Village, a beacon of the strength and perseverance of the Ukrainian people.
So whether you’re looking for a colorful cocktail you can’t find anywhere else or a nourishing meal that’ll warm your heart and your stomach, our Ukrainian restaurant in New York City is the place to be. Explore our Ukrainian restaurant menu and join us for brunch or dinner –and for an experience that feels just like home.
