Not sure when Vlad was there last, but I was in Moscow this summer and can tell you that the food/restaraunt industry has improved significantly since the last time I've been there in 2001. Of course you are gonna get your share of high end places that are ridiculously expensive, but if you plan ahead, you can eat fairly cheap and good.
Being safe basically involves being smart, common sense and staying in well-lit, busy streets at night.
Moscow isn't a ghost town like Calgary after 8PM, there are always lots of people in the streets.
Be mindful where your valuables are at all times because the pickpockets are pros fo shos. Don't put your wallet in your rear jean pocket while in the metro for example.
Also, good idea is familiarize yourself with Metro map and the way it works as Metro will be your preferred transport method I presume.
http://tar.weatherson.net/files/uplo...-metro-map.png
Can't really give any advice on hotels and such as I stay with family during my time there.
When in Moscow, I recommend going to the museums inside Kremlin, like the Armoury and the Diamond Fund, as suggested Tretyakovskaya gallery is also nice. Also a small area called Kolomenskoye is really neat for its medieval feel
Too bad you're going in winter time, as the female exposure level won't be as nice as summer time
