Biography
Russell Rudzinski b. April 23, 1924
Russell Rudzinski b. April 23, 1924
Used historical family name in later life, Yeroslavas (Yero) Rudzinskas continued many artistic endeavors under the Lithuanian family name though was born Russell Rudzinski, growing up in Dubois Pennsylvania.
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StudioC2 is honored to bring Yero Rudzinskas, a 91-year old Petaluma artist to StudioC2 for his first solo exhibition of ceramic work. Rudsinskas, a Naval officer in World War II, pioneering restaurateur in San Francisco, painter and potter, was part of an extraordinary time in Bay Area history and its relationship to Japanese arts and cultur
October 2015
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StudioC2 is honored to bring Yero Rudzinskas, a 91-year old Petaluma artist to StudioC2 for his first solo exhibition of ceramic work. Rudsinskas, a Naval officer in World War II, pioneering restaurateur in San Francisco, painter and potter, was part of an extraordinary time in Bay Area history and its relationship to Japanese arts and culture.
YELP! Announcement Pottery Exhibit
Facebook Announcement
Blog Entry
April 2013
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Blogger Tove found a copy of the Mingei-Ya Cookbook published in 1969. Read her comments and comments from others who visited the restaurant or knew Yero on her blog page BLOG HERE. In a comment left on Tove's blog entry, a customer at Mingei-Ya describes his dining experience:
Dan FaulhaberJune 19, 2014 at 9:50 PM
I, too, have the Mingei Ya cook book. I bought it at the restaurant after dining there just after my 21st birthday (it was my first legal drink). The place was fantastic. One truly felt that as if you were dining at a Japanese country inn. Tatami mat floors, no chairs and remove your shoes at the entrance. Kimono-clad waitresses served you and their English was so bad that ordering was often accomplished by pointing at menu items. You want a fork and knife? No such things existed at Mingei Ya. The food was sublime. It was one of the best dining experiences I have had in my life. And the book has been used ever since.
Blog Entry
Jan 2014
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kmalt Jan 30, 2014 02:22 PMHello fellow ChowHounds and SF fans of Mingei-Ya! I think I can help y'all out with what I believe is the real/authentic mizotaki sauce recipe. My mother's cousin from Norway worked at the restaurant in the 60's and early 70's and he gave us the recipe. We heard that the *TRUE* recipe he gave us was actually a kitchen secret and different (quite) from the recipe in the book (and what I see on the web...). I hope this recipe warms your hearts and ENJOY! We serve this sauce over rice and as a dipping sauce with meat and seafood and lots of veggies that are cooked in a hotpot with broth in the middle of the table:
Serves 4 people:
1 C mayo (do not use Miracle Whip!)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 t sugar
1/4 t white pepper
2 T lemon juice
4 T soy sauce
mix together and let sit to develop flavors.
ALT RECIPE @ EPICURIOUS FROM RECIPE BOOK
Stanford Daily Article
June 1977
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At Mingei-Ya, one eats in Japanese country style (i.e. you take off your shoes and sit on rice mats). Prices are high, about $8 or $9, for sukiyaki, teriyaki or tempura. The atmosphere is comfortable, not too ornate, and an older, more restrained crowd frequents Mingei-Ya. Another factor to consider is the menu, which teaches several useful Japanese words, likeneisan (waitress) and n,aneki-neko (beckoning cat).Original version here
Dubois Pennsylvania Courier-Express Article
August 1974
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Spring and South avenues here may be only a "good stone's throw" apart but some three thousand miles away were required for learning the interesting fact that two DuBois High school graduates of different eras "from the hill" ascended the top of their chosen avocations in far away San Francisco. John Campbell Bruce, DHS '24, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Bruce, while born at Helvetia, resided at Spring avenue for many years. Russ Rudzinski, DHS '42, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rudzinski, was well known as a resident of South avenue. By coincidence, both John and Russ were employed at the Courier-Express in opposite assignments, the former as an assistant to the late W. B. Ross in 1923 on the morning Courier, and Russ, as a carrier boy. Unknown to each other, both have registered impressive marks at San Francisco. We enjoyed their company during our recent visitation to the Pacific coast. (J. Campbell is a cousin of Ed. Bruce, R.D. 3. Russ is a brother of Albert Rudzinski, 115 South avenue, a Rockwell Mfg. employee. DuBois' Mrs. Esther Shaffer and Mrs. Minnie Nelson are cousins of "JC" while an Aunt, Mrs. John Bruce, resides at Helvetia).RUSS RUDZINSKI
From Courier-Express carrier boy to U.S. Navy officer in World War II to Yale graduate to "Mingei-Ya." Such are the thumb-nail moves of DHS '42 graduate Russ Rudzinski. Mingei-Ya is a Japanese Country style dining room—but with several eating parlors and an outstanding souvenir gift shop located at 2033 Union Street, 'Frisco. "Mingei" is the Japanese word for "folk art". And "Ya" indicates "restaurant." Mingei is the art of Japanese country people, expressed in the objects which they have created for their own use over the centuries. Many of these hand-made creations, pottery, baskets, woodenware, toys, textiles, are designed, made and used today exactly as they were centuries ago. Graduating from Yale with a Masters degree in psychology, Russ met his attractive Japanese-American born wife at college—where the future Mrs. Rudzinski-to-be majored in languages and law—but decided not to pursue the legal profession—instead joining her husband in business, founding "M-Y". Mrs. "R'"s Father, incidently, is a faculty member at Yale. The DuBois native and his wife opened Mingei-Ya a couple decades ago, have been ultra successful in its operation. Several DuBois persons have already visited the unusual dining rooms. Upon entering "M-Y" a beautiful Japanese-American girl welcomes visitors, asks that shoes be removed, and checked into a special locker compartment. Another beauty of Japanese culture escorts then escorts visitors to the dining room where an advanced reservation has been made for dining either while "seated on the floor"—or at tables. (We were cordially greeted and warmly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. "R"—escorted to our table, asked Russ to "just send us our dinners because we were unfamiliar with the menu delicacies.) The menu listed such specialties as "0-Mizu-Taki","Sashimi", "Tempura", "Tsukemono", "Prawns." others. We elected to enjoy the platters dispatched by Russ....which we devoured using "chop-sticks, sans any silverware. "Plum blossom" and "Sunrise" and "Mingei Mandarin" were listed among beverages.
With a staff of nearly twenty, Russ assigns the specifics of his business to a general manager, his assistant, and the head waitresses. Mrs. "R" concentrated in the accounts department. As an art form, Mingei is like the people creating same, honest, simple, spontaneous. Each object hand-made serving a purpose, the designs reflecting a simple beauty of Japanese country living. Neither subtle nor sophisticated, Mingei is the direct expression of the people themselves, a story of their lives. The discovery of the true beauty of folk art is a fairly recent accomplishment. In Japan, as throughout the world, this new appreciation is widespread. The collection of Japanese folk art objects used for serving dinner and devorating the Mingei-Ya are believed to be the most complete collection in the United States. The pottery, napkins and many utensils used in serving dinner are objects from rural Japan. They are available in M-Y's gift shop. Russ plans the menues, introduces various Japanese dishes and dainties periodically and all are exceptionally tasty, choice, delicious morsels. "I learned Japanese cooking through study, research and visits to the country," the DuBois man now 50 years of age, remarked. For a hobby, when not concentrating upon Japanese country-living menues, Russ spends his spare time at his second floor studio at home in Sausalito, Gal., where he has become an accomplished artist, with oils, water colors, etc. Many of his portraits have elicited widespread attention in art galleries, have received newspaper commentaries and returned fine sales dividends. And for another "hobby"--Russ spends time in Europe, the far east, and Canada, visiting restaurants of various nations, for ideas, for possible inclusion in Mingei-Ya. Next month, if all,,is peaceful, he will spend considerable time in Greece. "My best regards and hello's to so many of my friends at home," the very personable, cordial Russ Rudzinski commented in bidding us farewell.
original article here
The Times of San Mateo, California Article
February 1965
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Painting Is Only One Talent
The Times of San Mateo
February 6, 1965
Russ Rudzinski, whose paintings are on exhibit during 'the month of February at the Garden Cafe Gallery' in Burllngame, started painting as a hobby eight years a6o while stationed with the U.S. Navy in Japan.
In 1957 Rudzinski began doing brush painting and about a year later, while still in Japan, switched to palette knife. The versatile young man has not had any formal art instruction.
He has continued to work with the palette knife and his home in Sausalito, which he shares with his attractive wife, Miyo, provides a perfect background for his collection of paintings.
This is one of three hobbies which has turned into a profitable business for Rudzinski, who began painting professionally a year ago. His paintings have been exhibited in San Francisco and Sausalito. In March he will exhibit his paintings in Tiburon, Tentative exhibitions are scheduled in San Francisco for April and June.
Rudzinski's February exhibition at the Garden Café Gallery is sponsored by the San Nateo-Burlingame Junior Auxiliary of the Stanford Children's Convalescent Hospital. Paintings are for sale and the artist will be honored at a reception at the Café tomorrow from 2 until 4 pm.
The artist was born in Hands Park, Pennsylvania, 40 years ago and is a graduate of Yale University ('49), receiving his degree in psychology. He and his wife Miyo are well known in the Bay Area for their unique Japanese Restaurant, Mingei-Ya, on union street in San Francisco, which features Japanese style cuisine and utilizes Japanese folk pottery which Rudzinski began collecting also as a hobby, while stationed in Japan. The collection grew so large the Rudzinskis decided to open their own restaurant at 2033 Union Street in August of 1958.
A third hobby which turned into a business for Rudzionski was his redesigning of the Japanese Kapogi (apron) into a westernized version, settling off a rash of imitation designs: the original Meigei Ya apron is available at their Gift Shop on Union Street and at all I. Magnin stores on the west coast.