Samovar Deli and Bakery – the Best Borscht, Bakery, Russian Deli

[Krys Stanley]

The deep ruby colored broth was full of shredded beets, tender beef cubes, pieces of potato and onion. Sprinkled generously on top was fresh dill. It was just the tiniest bits of the feathery tips of dill. Every bite of the flavorful borscht was enhanced by the dill.

One of the entrees of the day was stuffed peppers. It was a pepper like I’ve never seen or tasted, in a very good way. It was a large orange pepper stuffed with the lightest mixture of beef and rice. There were also some carrots cooked exactly to my liking and sprinkled with the fresh dill. I don’t like carrots too al dente or soft, these were just right. Like the carrots, the pepper was just right, not too overcooked. I did think the filling could have used more spice, but a little salt fixed that.

The little bakery counter has some of the best pastries. There are all types of fresh Strudel and turnovers, dusted in powdered sugar. The blueberry turnover was one of my favorite. I also liked a little apricot pastry shaped like a croissant, but tiny. I tried something called a Russian potato which tasted like uncooked chocolate cookie dough filled with chopped nuts.

There are also nice cold deli selections, as well as some lovely fresh looking pickles with dill and pickled red tomatoes with sprigs of dill.

There is also a nice grocery, cold food section, wines and beers catering to the Russian, Ukrainian, Caucasian and Eastern European. They have cheeses, dairy products, smoked fish and some plastic containers of whole tiny pickled fish. They have a freezer full of Russian type dumplings like pierogi. They cater events and their unique and interesting dishes sound wonderful.

I made a wrong turn on San Antonio Rd in Mountain View and needed to turn around in the Safeway across from The Milk Pail. I spotted Samovar in the strip mall and decided to check it out. When I entered there was the most delicious smell of soup.

The people don’t speak much English. You ask at the bakery counter what soup and food is available that day. If you don’t want take out, go to the Russian club next door where there are a three Formica tables with booths. There is also a table on the sidewalk. Really down scale. Everything is served in Styrofoam with plastic spoons and knives. The food is better than some I’ve had on fine china.

The Russian Club is filled with Russian videos, books and magazines. They had Elle and Bazaar in Russian.

Everyday there is a few house made soups and entrees. The website mentions the following:

We cook old-fashioned soups with finest ingredients available.

Soups: Red borscht, Green borscht, Russian meatball soup, Kharcho (Georgian) soup, Solyanka (smoked meats soup), Mushroom soup, Russian-style chicken noodle soup, Schi

Entrees:
Cabbage rolls (golubtsi)
Cutlets (beef, chicken)
Zrazi (cutlets stuffed with vegetables)
Stuffed chicken legs (with mushroom or plums)
Shish-kabob (chicken, lamb, pork and sturgeon)
Brizol (meat patty baked into omelet)
Befstroganoff
Gulyash

Check the website for their amazing catering menu some of which include:

Baked sturgeon with grapes, Staffed quails with port sauce, Miniature Salmon rolls, Assorted Smoked Fish, Smoked Meats Salad with Sun Dried Apricots, Caviar Platter – Eggs Staffed With Red And Black Caviar,

At Thanksgiving they even prepare a Tsarsky Dinner. Get it … Russian Tsar … turkey
It comes “with caviar and a delicious array of signature Russian dishes fit for a tsar”

Link: http://www.bestrussianfood.com/main.php

Image: http://www.bestrussianfood.com/img/ba...

[ed]

thanks for another good heads up.
i've driven by this place, and 'the russian club' sign caught my eye. now i know samovar is the real attraction.

[Krys Stanley]

Well, from the Russian community point of view, it seems to be a good combination. Quite a few Russians dropped into the Russian Club while I was eating my borscht, getting videos, books and magazines and who knows what else. I don't speak Russian to know what else the Russian Club offers.

I would have never guessed that Samovar offers hot soup and food if I had not smelled it on that first visit. There are no menus, not signs on the wall.

I forgot to mention. Samovar makes the best version I've had to date of those griddled sweet cheese patties with raisins. I don't know what they are called. Samovar's are thick patties with a deep brown outside and creamy interior. That really was the best bakery item I've had to date there. WinMart has a good version too, but they are smaller and come in second, IMO, to Samovar.

[Robert Lauriston]

So this isn't the Samovar at 18th and Sanchez in San Francisco?

[Meredith]

I wish. I want that soup, but don't get out to the South Bay that often. 18th and Sanchez, I would be there in an instant!

[Krys Stanley]

No, it is not Samovar in SF. It is in Mountain View. Don't forget it is a hole in the wall and not a destination, but a mighty fine choice if you are in the area.

The other thing I wanted to clarify is that I listed the soups and entrees from the web site. These are not all available every day. It seems there are two soups and two entrees that change daily. So the borscht might not always be on the menu, but I'm guessing whatever they cook up, it's going to be good.

I am really interested in that green borscht and the chicken leg stuffed with plums. With the English problem, it wasn't possible to ask when they make that.

[Alex Alshvang]

Thanks a lot for your review. I was surprise to see new customers in the deli with a printout of this discussion.
Although I cannot comment on quality of the food (because I am the owner of Samovar deli), I would like to mention few things:
- There are two soups and 4-5 entrees every day;
- Chicken legs stuffed with plums we cook only on holidays and for large catering orders;
- Green borscht available mostly during summer time. Red borscht is the one we cook every day (with few exceptions)
The good news is – we are looking for a new space to move out retail part of our business and will work hard on converting Samovar into small restaurant.

[Krys]

I'm surprised you had people in your store with my post. If a place isn't in SF or Berkeley, it is unlikely people visit. I hope the people who stopped by report back and like it as much as I did.

I will look forward to your restaurant. I am third generation Polish and always on the lookout for good Eastern European food.

It would be nice if you posted a sign with the specials of the day. It would make it easiery for non Russians. I'll look out for that green borscht this summer when I am in the area.

The web site was a huge help in learning more about what your store had to offer.

[Caitlin McGrath]

"If a place isn't in SF or Berkeley, it is unlikely people visit."

Perhaps you mean that it's unlikely that people report their visits. Remember, this board has a huge crowd of lurkers who read along, and we really don't know just where they live or where they travel to eat. But they certainly read our posts, and they certainly eat!

[Melanie Wong]

Thanks for clarifying availability of those menu items.

Keep up the good work!

[Susan Alshvang]

Hi Alex,
We used to have red borscht cold in the summer. It was quite good with sour cream. I've never had green borscht. I bought a Samovar, but since I didn't know how to heat, I displayed it for decoration.

[rworange]

Maybe some samovar answers, I hope ....
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/394263