Russian dining: June 2006

Voda Vodka Bar and Lounge

What else if not vodka is a traditional Russian drink? Voda lounge in San Francisco serves a variety of vodka and vodka cocktails. It is located in the financial district therefore being a good spot to stop by for a drink after work. The name "voda" translates as "water" from Russian, which explains water-designed interior. This is a relaxing lounge to chill at after a hard day's work.

Voda
(415) 677-9242
56 Belden pl
San Francisco, CA 94104
Directions

Anyway Cafe

Anyway Cafe is one of my friends' favorite place to relax. It is a small and very cozy cafe with a couple of tables and bar. Sometimes there is live music on the weekends. It is located in the heart of Russian community in Brooklyn close to everything.

Anyway Cafe
1602 Gravesend Neck Rd
Brooklyn, NY 11229
www.anywaycafe.com

Harchevnya in Brooklyn

Russian Style Ravioli, a. k. a. Harchevnya in Brooklyn. NY is a good value restaurant. It has a variety of Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbekistanian, and other dishes for affordable price. It is famous for it's "Home style eggplant" and Ukrainian vareniki.

Russian Style Ravioli
(718) 714-4525
2568 86th St
Brooklyn, NY 11214
Directions

Metro in Novosibirsk, Russia

I have been to Metro bar back in 2004. It is a cozy little restaurant in Novosibirsk with pool tables, nice bar, and good food. It feels great to stop by at Metro for a fulfilling meal after a long winter walk or an exhausting ski run. It is affordable and conveniently located.

Metro Bar
+73832-332-91-44
18 Heroes of Labor
Novosibirsk, Russia

Izba Cafe in New York

A good friend of mine told me Izba is her favorite Russian restaurant. It is located on Coney Island Ave in Brooklyn. It's a cozy cafe that serves good food and has a nice atmosphere. Some day when I am in New York I will definitely stop by for a cup of hot tea and some pirozhki with cabbage...

Izba Cafe
1895 Coney Island Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11230
tel: 718-376-6404

Gastronome Deli and Bakery

One of the full-sized Russian supermarkets in San Francisco, Gastronom is located on Geary and 22nd Ave. Not just it has the traditional choice of foods but also accepts orders for special occasions (i.e. birthday cakes, anniversaries, etc.).

Gastronom
(415) 387-4211
5801 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
Directions

Old Krakow

Old Krakow is a polish restaurant in San Francisco, but it serves some Russian dishes along with Polish ones. Besides, Polish and Russian cultures are very similar in many aspects including food ingredients and recipes. When I was a kid my grandma used to make me bigos from time to time. Bigos is a traditional polish dish made of cabbage and sausages. Now I make it myself. I tried the Old Krakow's version of bigos and it tasted great, not to mention pirogi... Here is the menu:
http://sanfrancisco.menupages.com/screenmenu_b.asp?restaurantid=7975&areaid=23

Old Krakow Polish Restaurant
(415) 564-4848, (415) 539-9245
385 W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127
Directions

Mad Magda's Tea Room

This place with an interesting name was founded by a former actor David Nemoyten back in 1930s. It is located inside a hotel and has the 'good ol' days' vibe to it. The place is affordable and serves a variety of foods including both Russian and American cuisine. Here is a review I found:
http://cuisinenet.com/info/?v=237&/san_francisco/rest/2345.shtml

Mad Magda's Russian Tea Room
Gough Hayes Hotel
(415) 431-9131, (415) 431-2585
417 Gough St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Directions

Tea and Cookies...

While my search for more Russian spots in bay area I came across this blog which has some very appetizing pictures along with a few restaurant references.

Tea and Cookies: Russian Roots

bz Bee Market

According to Yelp.com reviews this place is famous for Hungarian salami, poppy rolls, meats, and halva. It is a European supermarket in San Mateo located on El Camino between 22nd and 23rd avenues. This store also has some other Russian goodies like books, magazines, and movies.

bz Bee Market

(650) 627-9303
2322 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403
Directions

Russian Foods and More...

A store in San Carlos that sells Russian, Ukranian, Polish, and other European food. I have never been there but if anyone knows what it is, please share. Russian Foods and More... is located on Terminal Way in San Carlos not far from the railway. It seems like this store is not too easy to find.

Russian Foods and More...
(650)592-5793
1062 Terminal Way
San Carlos, CA, 94070
Directions

Russian Renaissance

A higher class restaurant in Richmond district. I have found some good reviews of this place. The food is high quality and a bit more expensive than average. An entertainment program is offered in the evenings. Service is also very good. Atmosphere is calm and quiet - great for romantic evenings and family celebrations.

Russian Renaissance Restaurant
(415) 752-8558
5241 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94118
Directions

Berezka

There are a lot of good food places on Geary street in San Francisco. Among them is Berezka. As a few other Russian stores this one sells event tickets along with Russian traditional dishes. It is located on Geary and 20th intersection - the area of the city popular among Russian communities.

Berezka

(415) 668-3442
5612 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
Directions

Crossroads World Market

I recently discovered Crossroads World Market. This is an Iranian store that sells Russian food among other things. It has suprisingly good choice of products including all the necessities plus much more. I loved their deserts and breads selection. The store is conveniently located on San Antonio road not too far from 101. The service is great and not too many people know about it so it's not very crowded. I strongly recommend checking it out.

Crossroads World Market

(650) 858-6910
720 San Antonio Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Directions

Europa Express

There is a Europa Express store in San Francisco and I heard there is one opening soon in Mountain View. The store will be located at 2554 W. Middlefield Rd. in Mountain View, CA 94043 (650)968-1686. I will update the opening date as soon as I find out.

Europa Express

(415) 759-6500
1342 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122
Directions

Cinderella Bakery

As a friend of mine said "for those of us whose parents/grandparents don't live near by" Cinderella is the place to check out. This place is specialized in everything dough-based - pelmeni, vareniki, bliny... It's pirozhki remind of childhood, grandma's kitchen, something so close yet so far back in time. It is located on Balboa and 5th intersection. I found some good reviews of this cafe. This place is ideal for an after-work cup of tea with some bulochki to relax after a hard day.

Cinderella Bakery Delicatessen & Restaurant
(415) 751-9690
436 Balboa St
San Francisco, CA 94118
Directions

Traktir

Out of all the Russian restaurants I have been to so far Traktir is my favorite. It is a small home-style restaurant in San Francisco close to Golden Gate park on Balboa and 41st. The food is very good, so is the service. The dishes have nice details added to make the food more attractive to the client - either a couple of cilantro leaves on top or some freshly cut dill sprayed over. It is great to celebrate special occasions with a small circle of friends.

Traktir Restaurant
(415) 386-9800
4036 Balboa St
San Francisco, CA 94121
Directions

Katia's Russian Tea Room

Katia's is a place to visit when in San Francisco. It is a home-style restaurant that offers good food for decent price. The service is better than average, the menu has variety of russian dishes. The atmosphere is friendly and cozy. This place is located on the 5th Ave and Balboa. I heard some good reviews about it from a bunch of different sources.
http://www.katias.com/

Katia's Russian Restaurant
(415) 668-9292, (415) 668-9298
600 5th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
Directions

European Deli

This is a grocery store in San Ramon. European Deli and Low Card Food is listed under different names - either the full name or just as "European Deli". I have never been to that place, so please share your thoughts about it if you have any.

European Deli
(925) 820-2053
2211 San Ramon Valley Blvd # F
San Ramon, CA 94583
Directions

European Food Market

European Food Market in Concord is not limited to Russian food products. It claims to sell a variety of European delicacies. I heard it has a good variety for a reasonable price. The store opens at 9 am everyday and closes at 7 pm (except Saturday when it closes at 6 and Sunday at 5 pm). Here is the website: http://ca.local.yahoo.biz/europeanfoodmarket/index.html

European Food Market
(925) 686-9005
2307 Concord Blvd
Concord, CA 94520
Directions

Babushka Russian Deli

A few people recommended me to visit Babushka Russian Deli and Cafe in Walnut Creek. I have only seen positive reviews of this place so far. Some day I will check it out personally if I am ever in Walnut Creek. This deli has a lot of references on the internet which is rather rare for Russian restaurants in general.

Babushka Russian Deli & Cafe
(925) 210-0779
1475 Newell Ave
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Directions

Taste of Russia

According to various sources, "Taste of Russia" is no longer in Cupertino and moving to somewhere in Mountain View. If anyone knows where it is going to be, please, let me know.

Old address:

Taste of Russia
(408) 257-3482
7335 Bollinger Rd # C
Cupertino, CA 95014
Directions

Renata's Bakery and Cafe

I have heard a lot of positive comments about this place but haven't had a chance to visit just yet. Renata's is located at 5175 Moorpark Ave in San Jose. It is close to the Lawrence Express Way and Moorpark Ave intersection. This place has a variety of nice deserts to try including poppy pirozhki. It also carries some Georgian and Armenian dishes along with traditional Russian food.

Renata's Bakery & Cafe
(408) 996-1199
5175 Moorpark Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
Directions

Fandorin

I went to a Russian concert in San Francisco a few weeks ago. After it was over a bunch of friends and me felt hungry and craving for some pelmeni. The first name that came to mind was "Russia House" but it was closed for a private party that night. Then we decided to try Fandorin restaurant in Burlingame (1492 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame). When we drove up to the parking lot a person in a red jacket came up to our car, looked inside, and wondered if we knew where we came to. That question was a bit surprising considering the fact we were in front of the Fandorin restaurant. The next comment was that we were underdressed (we were coming from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco at that time). The next comment was that if we ever want to eat there we need to make reservations in advance, dress up, but then we won't have enough money to afford it anyways. Then we drove off and never came back. Apparently the way we were dressed to visit the Palace of Fine arts was considered being underdressed for Fandorin's standards. I heard the food was ok, but completely overpriced. So if anyone ever wants to try some 80s - style Russian service - Fandorin is the place to visit.

Fandorin
(650) 375-8804
1492 Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010
Directions

Russian Tea House

Russian Tea house is another bakery that serves traditional Russian food in Campbell (2080 South Bascom Ave). The best way to get there is by taking 880S towards 17S, then take Hamilton exit, go East on Hamilton, and make a right on Bascom Ave. I haven't been there myself but heard a lot of good reviews. Seems like it's a small family owned business that has been around for a while.

Russian Tea House
(408) 879-8077
2080 S Bascom Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
Directions

Russia House

When driving South from San Francisco many people notice the Russia House restaurant and wonder about it. It is hard NOT to notice the Russia House. It is overlooking the freeway from the top of the hill with huge red letters going across indicating the name of this restaurant. It seems like that place picks it's clients rather than the opposite. It is a very expansive Russian restaurant located at 2011 Bayshore Blvd in San Francisco. It is great for big family celebrations and weddings if you are not limited by budget. When I went there for dinner I felt a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of large groups of people celebrating multiple birthdays. The atmosphere is loud and fun so this place would not quite work as a romantic getaway. The bar is great though. Has everything in it. I heard it used to sell Abthinthe while it was still legal...

Russia House
(415) 330-9991
2011 Bayshore Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94133
Directions

Nevsky's Restaurant

Nevsky is located at 1740 Winchester in Campbell. It is a family style dining, conveniently located on the boarder of San Jose and Campbell. This restaurants holds private parties celebrations occasionally, has a nice bar and even karaoke occasionally. A bit pricey for my taste though... I have been to Nevsky's a couple of times and it is ok to visit it occasionally but not too often. I prefer to go to smaller, less fancy places than Nevsky.

Restaurant Nevsky
(408) 379-1126
1740 Winchester Blvd
Campbell, CA 95008
Directions

Russian Cafe and Deli

Russian Cafe and Deli is a cozy place that has all the necessities: pelmeni and olivie are always in stock, fresh out of the kitchen. The deli is located at 1712 Winchester Blvd in Campbell back to back with Nevsky's restaurant. The deli also has a nice choice of beverages for any taste - you can get a glass of Igristoe champagne or a glass of black current juice to go along with pirozhki or vareniki. The owners are at the deli all the time, very friendly, can recommend something special to the newcomers.

Russian Cafe & Deli
(408) 379-6680
1712 Winchester Blvd
Campbell, CA 95008
Directions

Royal Food Market

There is an Iranian store in Fremont that also sells traditional Russian food. It's called Royal Food Market located at 1602 Washington Blvd in Fremont. It is hidden in a small shopping plaza alongside Washington (past 680 if going East on Washington). This store has all the traditional dishes and delicassies that one can look for. In addition it sells some tasty fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I see Russian pop music CDs, classics, and some amount of movie rentals.

Royal Food Market
(510) 668-1107
1602 Washington Blvd
Fremont, CA 94539
Directions

Euromart

There is another Russian Foods supermarket in Palo Alto called Euromart. It's located at 3707 El Camino Real (cross street Wilson Ave) in close proximity to Stanford. It is not easy to spot this store from the street - it blends in with a bunch of other offices. There is some dental office nearby. If you are coming from the South, Euromart is going to be on the right side of the street.

Euromart
(650) 855-9414
3707 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Directions

Samovar Deli and Bakery

Samovar is located at 1077 Independence Ave in Mountain View. It is a cozy deli cafe that usually has fresh bakery along with some salads, some basic Russian foods such as buckwheat, bird's milk candy, and pelmeni. The choice is not as great as Winmart's but this one definitely has great value. There is also the Russian Club bookstore/movie rental place in the same space. I find it very convenient - get some pirozhnye Kartoshka then rent a Russian movie that recently came out at one trip and maybe get a nice book to read.

Samovar Deli & Bakery
(650) 969-5327
1077 Independence Ave
Mountain View, CA 94040
Directions

Winmart

The first Russian supermarket I've ever been to is located at 833 W. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. It is still there actually. The name is Winmart. If coming from the North it is going to be on your left side after Mary, if coming from the South - on the right side right after Pastoria Ave (a smaller street North of Mathilda). Winmart has an awesome choice for fresh salads, kolbasa, cheese, pelmeny, and exported wines. It is a great store, but a bit pricey comparing to other stores in the area.

Winmart
(408) 736-3316
833 W El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Directions

Russian food

The first couple of months after moving to bay area from Russia I was completely disoriented. Not just I didn't have a car nor friends, but I couldn't figure out where to find my favorite food. I tried searching on Google but the most results were not on target. I read Russian community websites, but people their were mostly talking about San Francisco restaurants so that wasn't helpful either. Over the past few years I discovered some russian supermarkets and got to try a couple of restaurants in the area and now I am going to share this information with the world. It would be great if you shared your thoughts about these places. If anybody knows of something that I have not mentioned yet, please let me know.

What is your favorite Russian dish?
	Pelmeni
	Bliny
	Pirozhki
	Borzsch
	Vodka
	Buckwheat
	I prefer falafels
	Never tried Russian food
	Other

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Russian dining

Wednesday, June 28