A wonderful place, but don't set your expectations too high. The food at most restaurants will improve seasonally as the weather warms. I was there in winter, and the vegetables were dismal. Exceptional service at hotels and restaurants may involve exceptional prices. Hotel Rossia by Red Square offers an amazing setting with cold war service. In this country, the health dept would have shut down the restaurant there (don't ask). My experience was about 5 - 6 years ago, and perhaps things have improved. At that time, I think most service people still worked out of a communist mindset where they got paid regardless of how well they did their job.

But--your visits will be wonderful if you let them be. My best meals were in places the locals took me, nothing fancy. I found my hosts to be kind and generous, and I'd return in a minute, given the chance!

JP