The cuisine of Georgia (a small, beautiful country found at the intersection of Europe and Asia) is sadly underrepresented in London, but if you brave the madness of Holloway Road and take a short walk from Highbury & Islington tube, you will get a rare opportunity to experience Georgian cuisine right here in the capital.
Named after the country’s capital, Tbilisi is a long standing restaurant which has a somewhat stately air, with rich red walls and high backed chairs wrapped in dark brown leather. The menu here is an a la carte offering which champions traditional Georgian dishes, cooked with flair by the kitchen team.
To kickstart your meal, tuck into starters such as mini beef dumplings served with sour cream or Badrijani, which sees pan-fried aubergines seasoned with walnut and onion pate. For your main course, choose between dishes such as Satsivee (chicken in a delicate walnut sauce served with rice and cornflower puree) or Chanackhi: lamb and baked aubergine with potato, onions and tomatoes, served with bread. There is also the option to order something from the grill - whole spring chicken slicked with a garlic yogurt perhaps or maybe salmon skewers accompanied by a pomegranate sauce.
To round off your meal, take your pick from one of Tbilisi’s simple yet tempting list of puddings. Opt for vanilla ice cream topped with walnuts and lashings of chocolate or cherry sauce, or instead try apple with a heart of honey and walnuts, served with thick yogurt and ground walnuts. You can also ask the waitress which homemade cakes are available.
Georgia has a long history of wine production, and there are expensive bottles on display here, but the wine list also includes more affordable (and highly drinkable) options. Not a wine lover? Spirits, beers and softs drinks are also available.