Founded by longtime best friends and Sheepshead Bay natives Oleg Rybak and Dmitry Khavko, Terra is a modern European restaurant inspired by their shared passion for exceptional food, wine and spirits.
Oleg, an oenophile and attorney, and Dmitry, a whisky enthusiast and finance professional, grew tired of traveling over 45 minutes to Manhattan for high-quality dining experiences and saw an opportunity to bring something new to their own neighborhood. Recognizing a gap in the local culinary scene, they set out to create an upscale yet approachable restaurant that reflects their tastes and roots. To bring their vision to life, they enlisted a celebrated, award-winning chef to create a refined menu that blends European tradition with modern creativity and Wine Director- General Manager Guillermo Lesassier to curate an extensive international wine list of over 600 varietals to pair with any dish.
Executive Chef Dima Martseniuk, a Ukrainian native, began his career in international economics before moving to the United States in 2009, where a short stay to learn English turned into an over 15-year culinary journey. Starting as a prep cook at NYC’s Veselka, he rose to executive chef, modernizing traditional Ukrainian cuisine and gaining national acclaim with appearances on major TV shows such as “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Good Morning America,” “Guy Fieri’s Project” and “The Rachael Ray Show,” and awards like “Best Latke in NYC” at New York City’s annual Latke Festival. After earning a Grand Diploma from the French Culinary Institute, he opened Ruta in 2022, the first Ukrainian restaurant on Capitol Hill, hosting dignitaries such as Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigieg and Ukrainian President Zelensky, among many others. That same year, he won “Best Dish from Local Foods” at the World Chefs’ Summit in Japan for his borscht.
Executive Chef Dima Martseniuk is joined by Co- executive Chef Anna Shitova, a Russian native who relocated to New York City in 2021. Before assisting Dima, she honed her craft in several acclaimed kitchens across the city. Together, they create a menu that blends European flavors rooted in their heritage with a refined, modern edge, driven by Dima’s unwavering passion and culinary creativity.
Terra’s international wine and champagne list, curated by Guillermo Lesassier (formerly of Michelin-starred restaurants Casa Enrique and Andanada) and Oleg Rybak, features over 600 varietals from France, Spain, Italy, the United States and more, as well as a reserve of an additional 600 bottles. Champagne selections include Billecart-Salmon and Salon. American wine highlights are Harlan Estate and Hundred Acres varietals from Napa Valley, while international bottles are an Italian Pio Cesare, a French Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and a Spanish Vega-Sicilia.
