First Georgian fast food eatery opens in Manhattan, USA

People living in the United States (US) now have the possibility to taste Georgian national dishes at a new fast food-type restaurant in New York.

The first Georgian bistro style restaurant has opened in Manhattan, offering a traditional Georgian bakery and authentic Georgian cuisine for an affordable price.

The Tone Cafe and Georgian Bread Bakery was founded in 1997, reorganised in 2004 and started as a bistro – fast food style café in December, 2012 in Brooklyn, New York.

Georgian cuisine in Tone Cafe. 

The cuisine offers a variety of dishes with various herbs and spices. Each historical province of Georgia has its own distinct culinary tradition, with variations such as Megrelian, Kakhetian, and Imeretian cuisines. In addition to various meat dishes, Georgian cuisine also offers a variety of vegetarian dishes.

The importance of both food and drink to Georgian culture is best observed during a feast called supra, when a huge assortment of dishes are prepared, always accompanied by large amounts of wine, and that can last for hours. In a Georgian feast, the role of the tamada (toastmaster) is an important and honoured position.

Tone Cafe serves Georgian traditional bread, which is made in Tone (clay vessel). 

Co-founder of the Georgian eatery Nikoloz Chkheidze will now compete with other international food outlets offered in New York, such as Mexican, Chinese, Italian and more.

"We believe that we go about ten objects in two years, in New York City. We are expecting to open more 10 café in Manhattan and in Long Island. Georgian cuisine is becoming quite popular and demand for Georgian food has increased in the US,” Chkheidze said.

Lovers of Georgian food can order foods the Internet, phone or delivery.

On a lighter note, one of the only difficult things that still challenge Americans is correct pronunciation of Georgian dishes like Pkhali, Kubdari, Khachapuri, Chakokhbili and more.