Umay

A Tatar cuisine restaurant in Kazan: dishes baked in a traditional oven, using only local products, and featuring the work of local artisans.

Laysan and Linar Akhmadiev, the restaurant owners, had long envisioned creating a restaurant showcasing traditional Tatar cuisine. They wanted to incorporate all the richness of Tatarstan's culinary culture into the project, creating a platform to showcase the talents of the Tatar people: artisans, designers, farmers, and producers. "For us, a modern Tatar cuisine restaurant is a project where we share our rich culture with local residents and visitors to Kazan," say Laysan and Linar. "We are proud of our Tatar cuisine and want the world to know about it. Our goal is to contribute to establishing Kazan as a gastronomic capital of Russia." The restaurant is named after the beautiful goddess of fertility, Uma – often depicted as a woman-bird: legend has it that those who stood in the shadow of her wings became happier. The magic of Uma is woven throughout the interior, from vases made by local artisans to the silhouettes of the furniture. The columns in the center of the room resemble the outline of a beautiful female figure and the traditional "kaftan" attire, while the "tezme" headdress inspired the design of a panel. The restaurant is a treasure chest of cultural heritage, traditions, legends, and the talents of the masters. The head chef is Rustam Rakhimov, the best chef in Tatarstan (according to WhereToEat 2020, 2021). He spent his childhood and youth in Tatarstan, filled with warm memories of family meals around a large table, shared feasts, and recipes passed down through generations. "I have always wanted to share this warmth and joy with guests, to introduce people to the flavors of Tatarstan," says Rustam. "We have done a tremendous amount of work to create a menu entirely based on local products. We strive to support local farmers and producers, helping them grow and develop Tatarstan together." Among the highlights of the "Uma" restaurant are homemade "Katlama" flatbread with horse meat, a salad of beetroot baked in a traditional oven with young cheese, "Tokmach" soup with chicken broth, homemade noodles, and "katyk" (a type of fermented milk), and, of course, "Echpochmak" (a savory pie) with beef and potatoes, as well as the ever-popular "Zur Belish" (a large baked dish). It is worth noting that half of the menu is prepared in large Tatar ovens, which fill the space with a special warmth and aroma. The menu is completed by a series of desserts that emphasize local ingredients, including a candy with a distinctive flavor, served in a jewelry box and on a bracelet for the wrist. The beauty of the "Uma" bird is evident in every detail. The restaurant is located in the very center of the city, on Bolshaya Krasnaya Street, where artisans of "red" goods (luxury items) once lived. It is near the Kremlin, where residents and visitors come to experience traditions, and now, also gastronomic delights.