Samovar is located at 1077 Independence Ave in Mountain View. It is a cozy deli cafe that usually has fresh bakery along with salads, traditional Russian foods such as buckwheat, bird’s milk candy, and pelmeni. The selection has greatly improved over the past year and 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 and maybe get a nice book to read.

Not that long ago Samovar started a catering service as well as “cooking on demand” - they will make fresh dishes upon request. There is also a new banquet room that is available on the weekends.

http://www.bestrussianfood.com/

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

A friend of mine who doesn’t speak Russian has recently learned the meaning of the world Kolobok. Today on the way to work he saw this place in Carmichael called Kolobok and immediately decided to give us a call. I looked up Kolobok online and found that it is one of the best not just Russian supermarkets, but grocery stores in Sacramento area. Kolobok might have another name - Ararat European Market. It is currently in consideration for being put on an A List of the best stores in the area. To that point, if you walk in and mention the code “KCRA3 A*List” they will give you a free German Artisan Bread Loaf (according to http://kcra.cityvoter.com/details.aspx?business=20506).

Kolobok European Market
7307 Fair Oaks Blvd
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 473-0306
Directions

Cafe Europe is a cozy Russian restaurant in Houston that has a friendly atmosphere and a good menu selection. It’s the place to be for people nostalgic of Russian traditional dishes and a good tea. Cafe Europe located in the heart of Houston is my friend’s favorite place to relax after a hard day of work.

Cafe Europe
2711 Fountain View Dr # C
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 532-2220
Directions

Piroshky Bakery was recommended to me by a person who used to go to the same school as I did back in Russia. She currently lives in Seattle and says that Piroshky Bakery is her favorite food place. It has calming atmosphere and home-made tasting delights, it seems like the owners put their souls into this place. Piroshky Bakery has great reviews and a well-designed website: http://www.piroshkybakery.com/

Piroshky Piroshky
18 reviews
1908 Pike pl
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 441-6068
Directions

“I drive 50 miles from San Jose just to buy bread there” were the words of the person who recommended Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store to me. After hearing something like this I will most definitely go and check it out when I have a chance… For now, I have found a few most positive reviews of the place. Pictures look very promising as well. I heard poppy seed cookies and pies are the best. Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store is located in the heart of the Russian community of San Francisco on Geary St.

Tbilisi Bakery Store
5540 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 668-6959
Directions

Russian Family Bakery, Deli and Bistro serves the real Russian food according to various sources. If you are ever in the mood for some kasha with beef stroganoff - that is the place to visit. There are not many other Russian restaurants in the area which makes this place more valuable.

Russian Family Bakery Deli & Bistro
(650) 588-2950
719 Camino plz
San Bruno, CA 94066
Directions

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

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

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

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

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.