Star of Russian Dolls, Marina Levitis, Plans TV Spinoff and Cookbook

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Marina Levitis is the owner of "Rasputin, the 'most famous Russian restaurant in the world,'" according to The Wall Street Journal. Marina stars on Lifetime TV's provocative show "Russian Dolls." She received a great deal of interest in getting her own reality show and writing a cookbook of her favorite Russian recipes from Rasputin. The cookbook will feature contemporary Russian cuisine from the restaurant. A-listers, well-heeled socialites and celebs flock to Rasputin for the best contemporary Russian cuisine and live entertainment. Marina has appeared in The New York Post, Village Voice, New York Magazine, and a myriad of other publications. In addition to being a restaurateur and TV personality, Marina is available for speaking engagements.

Marina is glamorous, outspoken and embodies the glitz and glamour of Manhattan Beach, an affluent Russian community with its multimillion dollar waterfront mansions. Cindy Adams exclaimed, "Marina might also be known all over the shopping world. Her bag, Hermes. Her watch, bediamonded. Her solitaire makes Kim Kardashian's look like a cyst. The right-hand diamond cluster? Wider than a sunflower. And in her thigh-high, low-cut outfit, the visible parts -- bosom, chest, arms, God knows -- were sprinkled with gold dust."

The New York Times says Russian Dolls is a "borscht-and-bling reality show" like Jersey Shore meets The Real Housewives. Much of the show is centered around Rasputin, the top Russian restaurant, owned by Marina and her lawyer husband Michael Levitis. Eva Levitis, Michael's mother, was a major character in the show when she entered a grandmother beauty contest and pursued her dream of belly-dancing. Considered the "Grandma Lady Gaga," Eva was a finalist in the New York auditions for The X-Factor. Eva performed a Lady Gaga song for celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Sherzinger and L.A. Reid. Eva's audition was on the commercials for X-Factor, but was not shown when the actual episode aired. The reason? The producers found out the Eva was on "Russian Dolls" and were afraid that her audition would be filmed as a plot on the show. Eva inspires women over 50 to follow their dreams. She dates much younger men and is a proud cougar. Simon Cowell added that although he said "no" to Eva's singing, he says "yes" to Rasputin, and promised to dine there.

Russian Dolls is an international sensation, getting press from New York to London. "I am thinking of writing a cookbook so everyone can enjoy the modern Russian cuisine that has become so popular at Rasputin. I am also considering offers about my own reality show spinoff," said Marina. Watch a marathon of Russian Dolls on October 7th on Lifetime. For more information about Rasputin, visit www.rasputinny.com. For media inquiries, contact Robin Kassner at Haute PR at (917) 388-3494 and [email protected].

SOURCE Rasputin Restaurant