Russian Eateries in SF

[Benjamin Rifkin]

Dear Colleagues:

In response to a query to SEELANGs late last month, I have inquired among
some Russian friends in San Francisco and am able to share this information
with the list in anticipation of culinary delights during the AATSEEL
Conference in December in San Francisco:

>the consensus is that the best place generally is cinderella,
>436 balboa street (at 4th avenue) (415) 751-9690.  you can take the #31 bus
>from market street downtown right out to and then along balboa.  the food
>is good, traditional russian fare, the prices are modest, with entrees at
>something like $7 - $12.   a taxi ride from
>downtown to there (the neighborhood is called the inner richmond) will take
>about 10 minutes.  the bus will take 20 or so minutes traveling time, plus
>waiting to
>catch it on market street.  they show up about every 20 minutes.  in
>theory.
>
>second is a place called metropolitan, 248 sutter street, (415) 982-6440.
>this is downtown.  they serve american food (don't ask me what that is)
>during the week, and russian food saturdays and sundays.  entrees are more
>expensive than at cinderella, about $15 or so.  expect a full dinner to be
>about $50.  there is an orchestra/band.
>
>third are a few places on geary street in the outer richmond, between 20th
>and 25th avenues.  take the number 38 limited (green sign over the front
>windows) bus from market street downtown.  these are deli type places with
>maybe 5 tables for sit-down dining.  there's lots of food imported from
>russia and fresh deli items.  there is also *excellent*
>fresh baked bread and assorted other baked items.  these places tend to
>close at 6:00 or 7:00, so plan for lunch here, or early dinner.

I personally haven't eaten at any of these establishments, but they come
highly recommended.

Ben Rifkin





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Benjamin Rifkin
Associate Professor of Russian,
Coordinator of Russian-Language Instruction & Teacher Training
Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1432 Van Hise Hall
1220 Linden Drive
Madison, WI  53706

e-mail:  brifkin at facstaff.wisc.edu
telephone:  608/262-1623, 608/262-3498
fax:  608/265-2814

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