KALINA - TUCSON, AZ

This is a new Russian restaurant on the East side. The website strongly advised to make reservations due to their small and cozy space. However, it was cozier than I thought it would be; in fact, to the point where i did NOT feel cozy. The seating area was small but there were way too many tables jammed in. Because we were involved continuously in a stimulating conversation with our eating partners, Jean and Tim, I, for one, easily tuned out the elbow-smashing closeness of the other diners. However, if we were there with dull folk, the nearness of so many other humans would have disturbed me.

The service was friendly and prompt. All the dinner entrees were $17 and came with a choice of soup or salad. A big basket of rolls and rye bread with butter came to the table as soon as we were seated. Bill and i shared the Siberian pelmeni; 25 tiny spiced lamb dumplings with a sour cream dipping sauce. I thought they were really tasty but not as good as the pelmeni at European Market where these morsels are bigger and about half the price. We also shared Muskovite breaded pork loin which was not very tender and was really dry. This came with a fried mushroom concoction which was good and sweet dried plum rice which was very delicious. If we came here again (doubtful) i would like a bowl of that accompanied by their vegetable salad.

That was one of the salads we picked as a side to our entree. Lots of  different vegetables and the portion size was adequate. The other salad was just a lettuce one and that was very ordinary. Oh, red cabbage came with the pork also.

So all in all, an ok experience but the price of the food didn't match the quality. Plus, it was one of those restaurants where you have to wind your way through the kitchen and dish washing area to get to the bathroom. I'm always afraid i'm going to slip on some borscht and unceremoniously land on the floor.