Everyone loves a hearty home-cooked meal. Nothing brings back warm memories like the smell of fresh-baked bread and the comfort of familiar ingredients. Thanks to AйDa Piroshki in Bernal Heights, those struggling to find Russian food like mama used to make it, time-starved parents, professionals and students looking for a quick yet healthy bite, and adventurous food fanatics alike can experience the simple pleasure of a homemade meal 7 days a week. Serving up Russia’s specialties, including piroshki, borscht, and oreshki in their shop at 331 Cortland, at local food events, and at private parties, AйDa Piroshki makes it easy to enjoy a piece of home on the go.
What Are Piroshki?
Even if you’ve never tried piroshki, don’t be surprised if you find the “exotic” dish strangely familiar. Russian for “little pie,” piroshki are a unique spin on classic handheld treats from various cultures – char siu bao, empanadas, turnovers (in other words: warm, bready pockets of goodness). The difference is an emphasis on cold-friendly ingredients, like root vegetables, and Russian favorites, like dill and sour cream.
Our Products
AйDa Piroshki shares traditional Russian favorites made with fresh, familiar ingredients – minus the vodka and caviar (for now) – that make great meals any time of day. Enjoy these unique dishes anywhere by letting us cater your special events.
Piroshki
Like your favorite empanada, turnover, or calzone…but Russian! Baked, not fried, our delicious pies are a healthy alternative to the usual fast foods. And with a wide variety of piroshki, we have something for everyone – Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese, Chicken Breast and Veggies, Beef and Onions, Beef and Cheese, Potato and Grilled Onions, Mushrooms and Spinach, Cabbage, Carrots and Tomatoes, Apple and Cinnamon and now breakfast piroshki.
Borscht
A beet soup made with 9 vegetables is a tasty way to get your veggies for the day. The dish is traditionally served with garlic rolls to help you soak up every last delicious (and healthy) bit of borscht.
Desserts
Walnuts are good, but they’re much better when the shell is made of sugar cookie and filled with caramel. Try an oreshki (Russian for “nuts”) at AйDa Piroshki and see for yourself! This delectable walnut-shaped cookie and dessert piroshki will be the perfect end to a wonderful Russian meal.
Our Philosophy
In Russia, the symbol of motherhood is the MATRYOSHKA, which is featured in our logo. Russian women have been passing their cooking secrets along to their daughters for generations, which is how Chef Anna Tvelova learned how to cook. With huge respect to our mothers, we continually improve upon our recipes by learning from baking professionals and by adding delicious local flavors to our fillings. We steam, boil, bake and sauté (never fry!) only the best, natural ingredients – the best flour from local mills, sustainably-grown meats, and a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit – making for healthy and light piroshki.
Our Name
“AйDa” (pronounced “ai da”) Piroshki” means “What a piroshki!” in Russian. While pirozhki (plural for pirozhok, Russian: пирожок, пирожки) is typically written with a “ZH” (Ж), it is pronounced with a “SH” (Ш). We’ve chosen to spell our name using “SH” because it is much easier to read, and we thought something so easy to eat and so easy to love should also be easy to pronounce!
About the Chef :: Anna Tvelova
Anna Tvelova brings rich Russian heritage, her mother’s and grandmother’s delicious recipes, years of culinary experience and a passion for creating healthy, hearty food to Anda Piroshki every day. With the support of La Cocina, Centros, the 331 Cortland community, and her loyal customers, Anna is fulfilling her dream of showing the world how great Russian food and Russian people are.
Watch this video to learn more about Anna and AйDa Piroshki.
A Special Thanks To Our Partners
La Cocina
Michel Suas of the National Baking Institute
Marshal Morton
Tomayto Tomahto Marketing
{ mm } design lab
John Ater Photography
Justin Jach
Dessign.net
Onigilly
Sea Biscuit Cafe
