AyDea

Visited on a Saturday afternoon around 2pm with a friend, cafe had one or two other guest but was fairly empty and easy to grab a spot. Food: Borscht - truly the best I've had, super savory and hearty yet light, broth was rich in meaty flavor but nice and clear, loaded with bits of carrots, cabbage, potatoes, onions and pieces of beef, a must order of you visit offered in two sizes grabbed the half but should have gone for the large Uchpuchmak - ordered with a beef and potato filling, a baked turnover with a crisp pastry packed with diced potatoes and pieces of beef, hearty and good over, served with some pickled onions and chicken broth which added some contrast Service was excellent, staff is extremely knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations, friendly and warm. Water is self serve, everything else was brought to our table when ready. Overall really enjoyed Ayedea, first time trying Tatarstan food, and excited to return and try the other dishes and pastries. Reminded me of Russian cuisine warm and hearty.

I came by to check out the pastry selection as I live nearby and was interested in the idea of a Tartar Cafe. I grabbed a croissant (the croissants here are long), an apple blini (rolled crepe), and an asparagus cheese pastry. The croissant dough is delicious and surprisingly the asparagus cheese tart was my favorite! The croissant base was so buttery and perfect topped with melted cheese and fresh asparagus! The apple rolled crepe was a nice treat as well filled with what seemed like cottage cheese and diced apples. Not too sweet, it was really nicely balanced. I'll definitely be back to check out the other pastry items and food. Will have to get the uchpuchmak (beef and potato hand pie) next time!

The beef qistibi really unique! The skin was a bit oily and definitely filling! Salted just right! Quick service!

Wow! Hidden gem for sure. Pelmini was delicious. Qistibi was incredible. Prices were reasonable. Staff was friendly. Restaurant very clean. Will definitely be back!

Amazing food! I can't believe i haven't been here before! The qistibi was so delicious - packed with flavor. I had the butter coffee, which i requested with milk and it hit the spot. I also tried the butter zang which was pretty good. Service was friendly and the ambiance was nice. Will definitely be back.

The food is spectacular. Seri e is outstanding and the atmosphere is off the charts. This place should be on every top list out there.

Drawn in by Cherylynn's review, I walked in and was greeted warmly by the friendly staff. The way they spoke and made sure I had what I needed made it clear they were passionate about their food and customer experience.I tried 2 items - the Qistibi and Sugar Zang - how could I not after reading Cherylynn's descriptions? Both were delicious! The Qistibi was a savory treat generously filled with fluffy mashed potatoes and beef while the Sugar Zang was a delectable sweet finish. Will definitely be back - highly recommend!

Had to return to try the Tzar Eggs as it caught my attention previously. Looks like such a simple dish, but it was so good. The eggs were creamy, and the pastry that came with it was such a great complement. Yum!Can't remember the name of the drink I ordered. I was told it's their version of a soft drink. It was described as a citrus water with spices and sweetened with honey, and could be quite sour. I decided to give it a try. To me, it tasted like watered down OJ but more citrusy. It was a warm day, so it was refreshing. However, not sure if I'd order the drink again. Also, I should note that the staff are all very friendly and it's a comfortable environment to enjoy a meal.

This place is amazing. Everything on the menu hits the spot. They have great in-house pastries and breakfast items. And they have delicious lunch items like the Peremech and Cutlet. The spot also has a great atmosphere that's perfect for lounging and getting work done. They offer a nice selection of caffeinated beverages too if you're looking for a coffee or something. The staff were pleasant and helpful. I would recommend this spot to anyone.

Wow! This place is amazing. I'd never even heard of Tatarstan, let alone experienced their food.Took my mom here for lunch. Per SF Chronicle's recommendation, we each had the qistibi - my mom had the mushroom one and I had the beef. They were both fantastic - smooth and comforting crepes filled with baked potatoes, carmelized onions & meat/mushrooms . While we were enjoying our lunch, the owner brought us a complimentary breakfast Zang - basically croissant dough with a variety of chopped nuts on the inside and carmelized honey on the outside. It was like a sophisticated baklava and it was delicious (ends up August Zang invented the croissant and they use a similar dough to make their pastries). I got some additional pastries to take home including the Abli Zang, which is filled with a jam they make from berries they import from Russia (also called sea buckthorn berries).The location in SoMa is a bit out of the way (unless you have jury duty at the nearby Hall of Justice), but it is worth a trip. We'll be going back soon!