I used to cringe just thinking about borsch, but eating at Arbat changed everything.
I was pretty leery of going to a Russian restaurant hidden in the far corner of a strip mall, but Arbat did not disappoint. We arrived around 5 on a Saturday night and had no trouble getting a table. Our waitress had a distinct Russian accent, which was a good way to start the night. She was friendly and helped answer our questions about the menu. Arbat is a small, but the atmosphere is pleasant.
Everything I tasted was very good. The mushroom dumplings were my favorite--a flavorful filling inside a perfectly-cooked pasta pillow. The kraut and mushroom vareniki was little heartier but also very flavorful. The chicken stroganoff was very rich and the chicken was perfectly tender. The borsch was perfect balance of hearty and brothy. So flavorful and not too beet-potent.
There is a wide selection of eastern European beers, wines, and of course vodka. We also tried the kvass, a fermented Russian soft drink made from rye. Similar to beer, but non-alcoholic and slightly sweeter.