The best khinkali and barbecue: top 11 Georgian restaurants in New York
'21.09.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
More recently, restaurants dedicated exclusively to Georgian cuisine have begun to appear in New York. First at Brighton Beach and later at Bensonhurst, Midwood. Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Murray Hill and the Upper East Side. These new Georgian establishments introduced New Yorkers to a dozen key dishes. But none of them matched our growing love for khachapuri, a unique bread boat with handles, melted cheese, egg yolk and butter. And soon other dishes, such as cold vegetables with walnut sauce, charcoal skewers, several beans, cornbread and stews seasoned with fragrant fresh herbs, are also becoming favorites, reports Eater new york.
Many of Brighton Beach's early establishments, such as the Caucasus and Georgia 21, have long since closed. But today there are almost a dozen excellent establishments where you can taste Georgian cuisine.
Oda House
Oda House, a kind of Georgian pub, first opened on Avenue B in 2013. The original has since closed, but its still open brainchild on the Upper East Side is even better. And in a more spacious, richly decorated room, you can find a menu with more dishes. As well as an even more extensive map of Georgian wines. There are three types of khachapuri here. As well as a variety of hot and cold dishes that can be used as snacks for drinks, and first courses that complement kebabs and stews of lamb, beef and chicken with herbs.
Address: 406 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021
Chama Mama
В Chama Mama presents the best Georgian wine list in the city. It features several very dry varieties in addition to the semi-sweet wines that many fear. Do not be afraid of them, sweet wine has become more and more appreciated lately. Bread and khachapuri are cooked in a domed oven in a glass-fronted bakery that is the heart of the dining room. They also serve regular kebabs and casseroles.
Address: 149 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
Chito Gvrito
Georgia is rightfully famous for its lamb, chicken and beef stews, and this restaurant is ready to prove it to you. Many are spiced with fresh herbs, and some have Turkish, Persian, and other Middle Eastern influences. For example, lamb chakapuli with herbs is cooked with tarragon, coriander and dill, which gives the stew a grassy and liquorice flavor. This restaurant also serves several cheese varieties of khachapuri and a chicken dish stewed in garlic milk called shkmeruli.
Address: 173 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003
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Cafe Delia
This small Georgian bakery and cafe in Greenwich Village specializes in baked goods, both savory and sweet, and hot dishes. It also offers several unique forms of khachapuri. Among the latter is penovani khachapuri, the shape of which varies depending on the region. Local khinkali stuffed with pork and beef at room temperature become a great picnic treat. In addition, there are many sweets and cookies on sale.
Address: 59 E 8th St, New York, NY 10003
Old Tbilisi Garden
This restaurant opened in 2014. The backyard has a small but picturesque garden with a waterfall and the walls are decorated with contemporary Georgian paintings. The setting is elegant and the menu is extensive. It features khinkali with cheese, baghe (chicken in nut sauce), chakapuli (veal stew with tarragon) and megruli kuchmachi.
Address: 174 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Cheeseboat
Well, it was inevitable that the restaurant would focus on khachapuri and this restaurant is Williamsburg Cheeseboat. It includes a dozen variations of the classic adjaruli khachapuri. Including those in which melted cheese is complemented by prosciutto, bacon, mushrooms, meatballs and even pasta. Guests are offered a full Georgian menu. Some dishes are modernized, one of them has quinoa.
Address: 80 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Georgian Dream
New Georgian restaurants opening outside of Brighton Beach, including this restaurant in Bay Ridge, tend to be sleeker, with fewer traditional Russian influences. For example, kebabs cooked on coals are a specialty here. Among them is a magnificent pork kebab wrapped in a flatbread sprinkled with sumac. But cold vegetable salads with nut paste, called pkhali, are no less tasty.
Address: 8309 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Mtskheta Cafe
The cafe, located right on the corner of 86th Street off Stillwell Avenue on the way to Coney Island, is named after a city in Georgia that dates back to the Bronze Age. The interior is reminiscent of a dukani, a rustic tavern. This is a very pleasant place to spend the day or evening. Khinkali seasoned with juice are especially good here. And also kharcho soup with meat, rice and vegetables; Machadi made from round corn tortillas made with white cornmeal. And also khachapuri stuffed with imeruli cheese, which oozes as soon as it is cut into slices and served at the table.
Address: 2568 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Tone Cafe
This little cafe in the back of Brighton Beach, in a former Georgian Bread bakery building, is a great place to pop in for a quick bite to eat. Although here you can order more refined dishes. While pastries and stuffed bread are a specialty, Toné also offers set main courses. For example, chicken satsivi, which goes perfectly with one of the Georgian wines.
Address: 265 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Georgian House
Georgian House is one of the most elegant restaurants of its kind. Although the establishment was meant more for takeaway than indoor dining. The chicken tobacco is great, with the crispiest skin imaginable. Vegetable dishes pkhali with nuts are served in abundance and served in an original way. And kebabs of lamb, pork and chicken are served with excellent french fries.
Address: 129 Brighton 1st St, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Berikoni
Despite the fact that the main function of this establishment is to bake several types of Georgian bread, it offers an extensive menu of vegetable dishes, khinkali, khachapuri and hot chicken dishes. Plan your visit in advance because there are only two places in this busy place.
