I drove by this place every day without really noticing it. Until they put up a huge red and black sign that said “Russian goods” (in Russian). I stopped by the store to check it out. It is interesting how a variety of Mexican, Russian, and European foods come together to form a broad selection of foods that can be found in no other store. This market has all the essentials I usually buy - dairy, produce, sweets, meats, and the rest. The only thing I did not find was batonchiki - Russian soy candy.
I have been writing my reviews for over 2 years now. I asked for your help in reviewing restaurants and adding new ones to my blog. There are, however, a few questions that I have not asked you yet:
Is there anything that I can do, in your opinion, to improve my reviews and help you in choosing a restaurant or a store to visit?
Is there any information that you would find helpful that I could add?
Do you like the way my website is organized? Could you suggest any improvements?
Do you have any information needs related to Russian food that are not yet fulfilled?
Please leave your feedback in comments to this post, or send me an email. Your help will be greatly appreciated and will help me to serve you better.
Not too long ago I was notified of a new internet Russian food store russianfooddirect.com
It has a great selection of all the necessities and more. The prices are reasonable, shipping is almost free or very discounted across the US. The categorization is great, it even features kosher and diet selections.
Another great Russian food store in Manhattan. Named after a TV-famous store, this one carries a broad selection of foods, drinks, herbs, and souvenirs. This store also delivers and caters around NY area.
Pomegranate is a highly recommended Russian Georgian restaurant in San Diego. I am yet to try it myself - it was recommended to me by a friend. I found a lot of very positive reviews for Pomegranate, featuring quotes like “the only real restaurant in San Diego”, “a rear treasure of a restaurant”, and “you need to eat here at least ones”. As for the food - try the specials and the shashlyk. Oh, and don’t be repelled by the menu - it has funny descriptions of every dish without any explanation of what it actually is - what ever you select will be the best taste and quality.
Pomegranate Restaurant
2302 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego CA 92104
(619) 297-4007 Directions
Aleksey’s market in Nashville, TN, is a highly recommended store. It carries a wide variety of spirits and beverages, and moreover a good selection of Russian foods. Some of the reviews I found mention a rich selection of European cheeses along with some other appetizers. If you never tried Georgian wine called Kindsmarauli, I would strongly recommend you to stop by at Aleksey’s and get one for dinner.
Paradise Garden Restaurant offers fine dining of Russian and French cuisine in an extraordinary atmosphere in what is one of the greatest indoor spaces in Brooklyn. Multi-level dining allows everyone to have the best seat in the house. We offer fine dining of Russian and French cuisine in an extraordinary atmosphere with a live band nightly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Spend one enchanted evening gliding on the dance floor in the center of paradise. The Band plays dance music ranging from Swing to Latin, as well as popular Russian and American songs, so you are sure to have a one of a kind experience. An extra touch of romance in the air guaranteeing a magical night you will never forget. From family get-togethers to corporate events our flexible plans will conform to your needs. Paradise Garden will accommodate private dining for groups of 20 to 350+, making it the ideal location for birthday celebrations, weddings, office parties, client receptions, and numerous other events.
Couple of people mentioned Slavic Shop to me and I finally got to posting it here. Slavic Shop is a convenient neighborhood Russian store that has a neat deli section along with your traditional Russian grocery products. The cheese selection is pretty good. Also, I found a few mentiones of the chopped chicken liver and borscht being exceptional. Slavic Shop is conveniently located on Saratoga Ave in San Jose.
1080 Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 615-8533 Directions
Someone recently told me about the Passion Cafe in Brooklyn. It is a cozy lounge that has a Russian style interior. There is belly dancing on the Friday and Saturday nights. Ladies get buy one, get one free drinks every night. Passion Cafe serves Russian salad along woth a variety of other appetizers. They also have Russian speaking staff.
Passion Cafe
167 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY, 11223 Directions
Cheburechnaya is a restaurant in the heart of Queens that serves traditional Russian and Middle Eastern dishes. It has been around for over 5 years and has gained a great reputation along with a large crowd of regulars that love the place. Cheburechnaya can accommodate a party of any size because of it expanded interior. The menu features chebureki, soups, salads, fish, meat, and even breakfast foods. A few people recommended me to try this place when I’m in New York.
Babushka European Deli in Lynbrook, NY is a small family-owned deli. They always have fresh home-made food - everything from deserts to pelmeni and freshly cut salads. You will also find plov and other Kzahstan dishes at Babushka’s. The place is famous among Long Island residents as a local ethnic attraction.
Babushka European Deli
284 Broadway
Lynbrook, NY 11563
(516) 599-7070 Directions
“Here at Food Galleria we are Connecticut’s number one spot for all your Russian needs! We offer a large variety of meats, produce, and other Russian specialty foods! From cookies to cakes and meats to fruits — we have it all and we are always glad to see you!”
Family friends visiting from Connecticut recommended me Food Galleria as one of the better quality Russian grocery stores. The store features a great variety of products and choice of traditional Russian dishes. The food is always fresh, the prices are reasonable - will save you a trip to Brooklyn.
Food Galleria
212 Main St
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 846-6810 Directions
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.
Dear reader, thank you for recommending Marvel Food and Deli in Auburn, WA. I have found a few quite positive reviews about this supermarket. This store has a variety of foods including produce, dairy, and deserts. There are also daily lunches that serve $1 pirozhki.
“Marvel Food and Deli, located in the heart of downtown Auburn, is a 4,200 square-foot gourmet food store that specializes in European foods from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, Italy, France, and more. We pride ourselves in not only carrying an extensive variety of foods, but also knowing what every product is, how it should be prepared, and how it is to be served.
Our main drive for business is our customers. After all, without them- we wouldn’t exist. Every member of our organization makes it their top priority to satisfy each customer’s needs and wants. Our deepest desire is for every client to leave with a lasting and pleasant impression of their visit at Marvel Food and Deli.” - http://marvelfoodanddeli.com/
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Marvel Food & Deli
2 West Main
Auburn, WA 98001
253-887-8181
I have recently tried to find Russian food stores and restaurants in Atlanta area. I have found quite a few on the following website: http://www.russianatlanta.net/business/
When I tried calling the stores a lot of them either do not answer or have old phone numbers listed. I would greatly appreciate if Atlanta residents could recommend me some stores and restaurants that are good and open.
I am particularly interested in the information about the following businesses:
Arbat (Арбат)
(770) 368-9030
6470 Spalding Dr
Norcross, GA 30392
Baltica
(770) 446-5161
7050 Jimmy Carter Blvd
Norcross, GA 30092
A & S International Food Deli
(678) 482-0245
(former Gastronom Central)
(former Little Russia / Semen’s)
95 Crestridge Drive, Suite 400
Suwanee GA 30024
Golden Key (Золотой ключик )
Tel. (770) 638-1101
Hours: Mon - Sat: 11a-8p
Killian Hill Crossing Plaza
4760 Lawrenceville Hwy Suite A3
European Deli
Tel. (770) 518-5944
Hours: Mon:12p-8p, Tue-Fri: 11a-8p, Sat:11a-6p, Sun: 11a-5p
Loehman’s Plaza
8610 Roswell Rd., Suite 470
European Deli II
Tel. (770) 664-4999
Hours: Mon:12p-8p, Tue-Fri: 11a-8p, Sat:11a-8p, Sun: 11a-5p
7 Winds Plaza
11950 Jones Bridge Rd., Suite 114-B
Alpharetta, GA
Kalinka
Tel/Fax: (770) 518-1005
2000 Holcomb Woods Parkway, Suite 33
Roswell, GA 30076
Patak Meat Products
Tel. (770) 941-7993
4107 Ewing Rd
Austell, GA 30106
New Odessa
Tel. (770) 622-4870
Hours: Tues-Fri: 11a-8p, Sat: 10a-8p, Sun:10a-6p Gwinett Prado II
3547 Peachtree Ind. Blvd, Suite 3
Duluth GA
New Odessa
Tel. (770) 321-3544
2793 Clairmont Rd Ne #C
Atlanta, GA
New Odessa
Spalding Woods Shipping Center
4015 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Norcross, GA 30092
International Farmers Market
Tel. (770) 455-1777 Chamblee
Tel. (770) 840-7660 Norcross
5193 Peachtree Ind. Blvd
Chamblee, GA 30341
5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd
Norcross, GA 30093
Crown Pizza - Russian, Pizza
Tel. (404) 325-2933
Toco Hills Plaza
3011 North Druid Hills Rd
Atlanta, GA 30329
Kabob House - Italian, Russian
Tel. (770) 552-6900
1530 Old Alabama Rd Suite 190
Roswell
Verdi Restaurant - Italian, Russian
Tel. (678) 646-4600
Tel. (678) 760-2111
Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11a-2pm
Dinner: Mon-Thu: 5p-10p, Fri: 5p-11p, Sun: 5p-10p 6275 Spalding Dr
Norcross, GA 30092
Nikolai’s Roof (not Russian and very $$$$)
Tel. (404) 221-6362
Fax (404) 222-2967
255 Courtland St (Intersection with Harris St)
Atlanta, GA 30303-1265
One of the readers has recommended me Moscow2 - Russian cafe and grocery store. It is located in Spring, TX, only a few miles from Houston. Here is a quote from their website: “Moscow2 is located at the corner of Sawdust and Borough Park. We offer 100% authentic Russian food in a comfortable home-style setting. One need only try our famous Chicken “Kiev” or Borsch and one of our elite Georgian wines, all of which are affordable, to escape to Russia and enjoy its food.”
Moscow2 also has a good selection of Russian books and movies.
A new restaurant called Sadko recently opened up in San Francisco Richmond district. It is a very cozy place with great home-style cooked meals. Very affordable too. Something to definitely try at Sadko are filled blintzes.
Sadko is located on Clement street between 23rd and 24th. Give it a try if you are in the area.
Sadko Restaurant
2229 Clement St
San Francisco, CA, 94122
415-666-3420
In response to an inquiry of one of the readers I found Eliseevsky Russian restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is rated the best Ethnic restaurant in the area and offers a good selection of traditional Russian dishes for a moderate price.
I have found somewhat contradicting reviews, so if you get a chance to visit, please let me know what it is like.
Artem Eliseevsky Restaurant
4825 W Flamingo Rd # 10
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 247-8766 Directions
One of the readers has sent me quite a few restaurants around LA area. I have started putting them up one by one, but realized it would be much easier to just quote them. The reviews are great and very comprehensive.
Please let me know if any of these spots closed or if anything is worth mentioning here in addition to the information I have.
“Crystal
An authentic modern Russian dining experience awaits above a Starbucks. The restaurant has only one seating per night, so calling ahead is recommended (bar seating is possible later). In between courses, well-dressed (and increasingly tipsy) diners hit the dance floor. Dress code is enforced (no jeans) and there is a $20 cover charge.
7901 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd floor
LA, CA, 90046
(323) 654-1188
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Weekends only.
Bar Lubitsch
Although not Russian-owned, this bustling hot spot pays homage to its West Hollywood location with Soviet-inspired design. Cocktail waitresses here are decked out in Pravda red, and 1930s posters hang next to mirrors etched with Cyrillic to flesh out the Soviet chic concept.
7702 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-1234
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
Russian Nights
Appearing more like a strip club than a restaurant, Russian Nights’ bizarre design scheme will amuse some. The odd pairing of neon (both outside and inside) and murals depicting rural Russian 18th century life gives diners a bit of kitsch with their chicken Kiev.
13325 Moorpark St
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 981-0089
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (till 2 a.m. on weekends)
Little New York
Located near a busy Trader Joe’s, Little New York caters to a younger Russian crowd on weekends. But this hidden gem is mostly known as a cozy getaway that serves up classics like sturgeon and pelmeni, set against a somewhat garish wall mural of the New York skyline.
7316 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 874-0727
7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Weekends only
Red Square
Red Square offers up Russian fare such as hearty mignon stroganoff and sweet wild black cherry blintzes. A one-man band sings Russian Top 40 songs with the help of a laptop and reverb-laden microphone on weekends, when things can get wild.
17209 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 783-6300
Noon to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (till 2 a.m. on weekends).
Russia Restaurant
New owners took over this Hollywood restaurant, which sits adjacent to the famed Knickerbocker hotel, in 2005. On Saturday, Las Vegas-style showgirls take over the stage. Popular food choices at Russia include Chicken Tabaka and Karsky (lamb chops). Massive historical wall murals of Peter the Great stare down diners.
russiarestaurant.net
1714 Ivar Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-2216
Noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (till 2 a.m. on weekends).
Troyka
Open for more than a decade, Troyka is located in an otherwise nondescript strip mall. The menu offers an array of Russian and Ukrainian food — from solyanka soup to blinchiki (pancakes with red caviar). Other popular dishes include vareniki (stuffed dumplings), Ukrainian borscht and cold herring salad.
7300 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-5531
Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Romanov Restaurant
Restaurateur Mikayel Israyelyan’s new high-end Russian steakhouse has been impressing L.A. foodies of all stripes since it opened in March. Twenty-four-carat gold-leaf ceilings gleam above; Russian haute cuisine dishes like quail Kiev dazzle below. If you have a craving for real Osetra caviar, this is the place to get your fix.
romanovla.com
12229 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 760-3177
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Odessa
Don’t let the tacky décor fool you; Odessa’s limited menu of fish and meat kebabs keeps the faithful coming back year after year. The adjacent deli also is a must for those seeking real red Russian caviar from Kamchatka and other assorted imported foods.
18525 Burbank Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 705-6630
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Palm Terrace
This second-floor eatery (open only on weekends; call ahead) has been open since 1971, serving lavish Russian fare such as baked flounder fillet to thousands over the years. Banquet-style dining only, so reservations are a must (usually $45-per-person minimum).
531 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 653-7820
Weekends only, call for reservations.
Uzbekistan
Massive portions are the norm at Uzbekistan, where Russians, Armenians and curious Hollywood tourists “man up” to tackle hearty fare like plov with chicken and manti (steamed Uzbecki lamb dumplings). Live bands play on weekends.
7077 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-3663
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily.
Il Paradiso is located in Encino. It seems to be a night club more than anything else, since it’s opened 7 p.m. to 2 a.m on the weekends. A quote from the referrer gives a great description of Il Paradiso: “If you are seeking a true wild Russian night in L.A., look no further than Il Paradiso. This otherwise nondescript restaurant attracts a well-heeled, good-looking crowd on weekends (late at night usually). Don’t be intimidated by the veal-tongue salad, the Glock-toting security guards or the BMWs out front — just dress to impress and dance the night away.” I also found a few very positive reviews. Seems like an interesting place to spend an evening and relax.
Il Paradiso
15627 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 981-9293 Directions
(8 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)
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