New York City really does have it all. The vast amount of diversity in food that the city has is one of the biggest reasons that I’m hesitant to ever move. Every type of food that you could ever want can be found in the Big Apple. Basque? Sure. Uruguayan? No doubt. Somalian? Absolutely.
…Georgian?
Hell yeah. For sure. Enter Old Tbilisi Garden.
Georgia the Country.
So, chicken and waffles, then? NO! It’s true that in the United States there is a state named Georgia, but many Americans apparently don’t know that there is a country named Georgia as well! It’s actually the Republic of Georgia.
There’s a lot of dispute over this, but Georgia is either considered European or Middle Eastern and sometimes it’s both. It’s part of the Caucus region and has a very similar culture to Armenia. By the way, it’s an up-and-coming travel destination in its own right with its infamous hospitality. People will literally invite you into their homes from off the street and set out a feast and copious amounts of wine until you’re full enough to be rolled out.
Wine tourism is very popular in Georgia. Not only because it is delicious and inexpensive, but because it a centuries-old craft that has been perfected. Also, Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world with 8,000 years of practice! Naturally, food goes hand in hand with wine. All components of Georgian cuisine really balance each other well. On one hand, there are tangy salads and yogurts and on the opposite end of the spectrum, you have cheesy, creamy, gooey goodness in dishes like khachapuri. More on that below.
Ambiance.
I visited with my cousin, Michele, and we definitely feel as though we were transported back in time and to the Caucus region upon entering Old Tbilisi Garden. The walls are made of exposed brick and all of the furnishings are wooden. Flowers and almost mythological-looking paintings adorn the dining room.
Once you get past that area, guests enter almost a “zen” like a garden. It has a bubbling rock waterfall, a plethora of plants, and a stone wall. I highly suggest eating in the garden area as it’s very serene. It’s a great place to have a conversation and unwind after a long day!
The Food. Oh Lawd, the Food.
If you’re not Georgian, I promise the cuisine here is unlike anything that you’ve ever had. Many restaurants will claim to be unique in the food they serve, and then half the menu still winds up being burgers and pizza. Not Old Tbilisi Garden, they are LEGIT.
If you’ve never had Georgian food, start with the Georgian Tasting Board as an appetizer. On it, you’ll find a good sampling of traditional treats. First is the assorted pkhali which are vegetable rolls with walnuts. Then the eggplant nigvzit which is not only delicious but GORGEOUS. Filled with a walnut spread, it is incredibly decadent. Ajapsandali is on the board as well which is grilled veggies, cheese, mint, and herbs rolled into a ball. Last you get some Georgian cheese which has a great smoky taste as well as Georgian bread to accompany the cheese.
When you come here, it’s absolutely imperative to order the ajaruli khachapuri. Imagine this…a soft baked bread boat FILLED with a ton of stringy, gooey, cheese with a pad of butter. It comes piping hot and an egg is cracked on top and mixed into the bread boat by your server.
While we were full from just these items, there’s a ton that is on offer here. Traditional kharcho soup, tarragon soda, and khinkali, the Georgian dumplings. Really popular is the shkmeruli or roasted chicken with creamy garlic sauce served on a traditional clay dish. The lobio kotanshi is a favorite too. Naturally, you should order a nice glass (or bottle) of Georgian wine to accompany your meal!
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