A bright gem in the Richmond District, this place serves Russian food with considerable flair at remarkably reasonable prices. Try the beautiful purple borscht, topped with a dollop of sour cream. Small dishes of chopped salad, blini and smoked salmon, marinated mushrooms, and meat- or vegetable-filled piroshki are also wonderful ways to start a meal, and light chicken cutlets or delicate pelmeni (meat-filled dumplings in broth) make fine main courses. For dessert, try the meringue crowned with berries and whipped cream. Most evenings there's live Russian music.