The Stop serves up traditional Russian cuisine, along with a drink menu consisting of Eastern European alcohol. 

Owner Denis Ganshonkov cooks up dishes from his home country of Russia. For him, cooking Russian food is exactly how it's made in grandma's kitchen back home. 

The restaurant doesn't really feel like you're in Toronto, but more like a countryside Eastern European bar, like something out of a movie.  

The Khinkali Dumplings ($3.25 each) often run out at The Stop, because they're so popular. The dish originates from the country of Georgia, they're hand-rolled and boiled upon ordering.

A blend of beef and pork is used for the filling, along with onions and cilantro, some pepper is dashed on top of each one. This dish is served with a dollop of sour cream and red pepper relish, made in-house. 

Borsch ($12.00) is a Russian/Ukranian soup made from a base of beef stock, beets are added to the mix which gives the dish its deep red colour and rich flavour. 

Potatoes, carrots, bits of cabbage, and a touch of tomato paste are boiled together with it. The dish is garnished with sour cream and fresh dill, served with a side of bread. 

Cabbage Rolls ($16.00) are a staple for many different Eastern European get-togethers. The rolls are filled with a beef and pork mixture and then wrapped in cabbage, before being baked inside the oven.

After baking, the rolls sit for about a day in a pan with beef stock, so they stay intact and marinate for extra flavour. They're then pan-fried with a gravy-like sauce, made of tomato paste, flour and more beef stock. The sour cream put on top adds to the heartiness of this meal. 

A shot of Beluga Vodka ($15) is standard at this Russian Bar, being poured in a bit of a larger shot glass, than what you'd find anywhere else. The brand is known as luxury vodka, and if it makes an appearance at a party in Russia, you know the host has good taste. 

It's smooth going down, but incredibly strong, so these shots are not for the weak. However, if you ask the bartender, they will happily offer you some pickles to stabilize the taste of alcohol, a Russian tradition. 

Hacker-Pschorr Munich ($8/can) is a gold lager from Germany, it has a pungent taste, but pairs really well with the cabbage rolls. I'd suggest this even for people who normally stray away from beer, as there isn't too much hoppiness to complain about.

The Stop was formerly the Ossington Stop at 1543 Dundas St. West. The restaurant is now located at 397 Roncesvalles Avenue.