Babushka

Fifteen residents braved an early morning rainstorm to hop on a PVE bus that was destined for Babushka, a restaurant in Walnut Creek that specializes in “authentic Russian cuisine with a French influence.” General Manager Varvara (“Barbara”) Puzanova was our lively host during the meal. She was born in St. Petersburg and began learning English at three years of age.

We were served a dazzling array of dishes, each on a platter, from which we served ourselves, and Varvara explained each dish in detail. Four appetizers  — smoked fish platter, Svekolnik salad, eggplant crepes and borscht soup — were followed by a beef and pork Pelmeni, chicken Kiev, stuffed cabbage leaves and buttery rice. Dessert was vanilla honey cake, coffee and Russian tea. Needless to say, everyone was quite satisfied at the end of the meal. And some of the items on our menu, as well as a variety of other ethnic Russian foods, were available in their deli next door. Many of us hopped on the bus with a full bag of exotic food while others also shopped in the bakery next door.

This was an extremely enjoyable trip. Resident Paul Morgan said that, while he had been expecting more of a traditional “Russian” food experience, the French influence used in its preparation created a meal that was very enjoyable and quite satisfying.

Babushka Russian Restaurant and Deli is located at 1475 Newell Avenue in Walnut Creek, CA (94596).

Restaurant Hours
Closed Sundays and Mondays

Tuesday – Thursday: Noon – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday – Saturday: Noon – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Deli Hours

Mondays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sundays: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.