It's definitely not new. It's been there for I guess about a year now, if not longer. I haven't heard anything about it either, which I guess is the main reason that I haven't checked it out.

I used to go to the Art Gallery Cafe in Pikesville, which also served Russian food. I think it closed down a few years ago.

I've been looking for a Russian restaurant for a while now. I've tried Red Square a few times, but much like the old New York New York, the place seems to have strange staffing practices. A few times I walked into both Red Square and NYNY only to find no one there. I don't mean no other patrons. I mean no one including staff.

Vernisage is often for special-event dining that's later in the evening.

Sunday a week ago a group of 7 of us went to dinner. We tried Jilly's but they were really busy. We walked by Versinage, and while it didn't look like it had gone out of business (settings on tables, etc) it wasn't open. This was only 6:30 or so.
We ended up at Pikes Diner by the way. Food was pretty good. Servings were large. Service was a bit slow, but we weren't in any hurry, so that was okay.

Vernisage, not Versinage. For Russian banquet bashes like a table of 24, but anyone can walk in when it's open. Russians locally say nice things about it. By the way, Mari Luna II is set to open by it with a liquor license.

That does make it easier to find something on the Internet. :-) Thanks. EL

I've never even heard of "Russian food", much less a Russian restaurant.

I'd have to assume it's similiar to Polish and German cusine????

Donny, sort of similar with the braised meat thing but with some other treats too. The blini with sour cream and caviar and borscht come to my mind at this early hour.

I know I'll take a beating for this, but I can't refrain from mentioning, that I have found the Russian dining scene less than welcoming to others in the Baltimore area.

I've eaten in Vernisage several times with my Russian family and friends (I'm a Baltimore native). Among local Russians, it seems to be preferred over Red Square as a restaurant (not as an entertainment venue).

The food might best be described as typical homestyle Russian cuisine. It's tasty and filling, and prices quite reasonable. Appetizers are meant to be eaten in almost a "tapas style", with plates passed around and shared. Entree's are your own.

In typical Russian style, dinner is a late evening event. The restaurant is virtually empty until 8 pm, and really gets more lively around 9 or so. They usually have live music on weekends.

Quality of food - 1-1/2 stars
Service - 2 stars
Price - Good value

Cheers

Larry

Sorry for the multiple blog entries, but I couldn't resist after reading the first few uninformed entries that I've seen so far.

Blini, caviar and borsch (spelled a "t" at the end of the word is the Jewish-Yiddish spelling) are something like a bad stereotype of Russian food. Yes, Vernisage has all three items, and they are very good. And real Russian borsch does not even slightly resemble the nasty purple cold soup that your grandma used to serve. Borsch is usually served hot, and the only similarity with that purple stuff is that you may also use sour cream as a garnish.

However, there are a few other things to try on the menu.

Vernisage serves appetizers particular suited to go with vodka, of course. Kafkaske Salad comes from a region known as the Caucuses. Basturma is one of the specialties in that salad, which is a lightly smoked and slightly spicey beef tartare, cut into thin slices and served cold.

Salad Olivier is the "classic" Russian salad with meat (or chicken), potatoes, eggs, peas, pickles, etc.

By the way, last time I was there, Vernisage still had no liquor license. So it's BYOB. Their staff will keep your liquor cold (such as vodka), uncork your wine, etc. etc.

Joyce, I would agree with the take that Russian restaurants aren't as welcoming as others. I'm not sure what it is, perhaps it is the focus on private parties or maybe just the fact I'm an outsider, but I usually feel like I am not wanted when I go to a Russian restaurant in Baltimore. Maybe, Vernisage is different. I will try it on account I like Russian food; however, I have my doubts.

Now, I go to the Euro Deli in Owings Mills all of the time, and I feel welcomed there, so I don't think it is a Russian thing; rather, I think it is particular to the Russian restaurants.

Overpriced low quality food.

Food and service -3.5 stars
Atmosphere - 4 stars

Extremely nice hosts, liquor license in 12 days, give you free tea with dessert (only choice besides ice cream crepes is a non-U.S. style "cake" that is really mousse and berries wrapped in phyllo dough, a little like zabaglione, but delicious. Some soups (smoked meat and spicy ones) not available on weekends. Emphasis on sturgeon and Scandinavian fish. House specialty is the Lulya kabob with ground lamb and European pommes frites - out of this world, though the sour cabbage was uneven in temperature

I stumbled upon Vernisage the other night and was pleasantly suprised by the excellent service and exquisite entertaintment the restuarant provided. The menu was new and fresh, completely revamped from when it was the art gallery cafe. Not only was the food and service out of this world, but I also had the chance to experience live russian music and get out on the dance floor. The night was fun, fresh, and completly enjoyable. I recommend this restaurant to everyone.

has anyone "officially" reviewed Vernisage yet?

Went there today for lunch with friends and really enjoyed it. We each had the $12.50 three-course-special -- everything freshly made from scratch. The food there is different than what you'll find in other restaurants, and for that reason alone it's worth giving a try. I had the borsch, cabbage salad, and what they call chicken cutlet (twice ground chicken with spices, some filler, fried like a crab cake). All were great. We finished off with coffee (sorry, tasted like instant) desert and vodka. I'm certainly going back to try the dinner selections.