LALIKO

At Laliko, blistered khachapuri and so much Georgian wine - Review - New York - The Infatuation

"Laliko’s khinkali are subtly glossy, impeccably pleated, and so thin they sag under the weight of the doughy knobs on top. They’re just about perfect, which feels right for a spot with a dedicated dumpling chef and a few sister restaurants in Tbilisi. In a compact fishbowl of a room with floor-to-ceiling windows facing 7th Ave, this West Village restaurant serves polished Georgian food, with an emphasis on khinkali and khachapuri. Those are the headliners here, but there are plenty of other worthwhile items to help round out your meal. Stop by for a casual date night, order the chicken in a moat of silky walnut sauce, and pair it with something from the extensive Georgian wine list. A shot of Georgian brandy is another smart move, especially when chased with a gulp of beefy broth from a pepper-spritzed khinkali. photo credit: Jovani Demetrie photo credit: Jovani Demetrie photo credit: Jovani Demetrie Pause Unmute Food Rundown Imeruli Khachapuri All the khachapuri are fantastic, but this one wins by the tiniest margin. It’s impressively thin and fluffy, with a touch of mint mixed into the cheese filling. photo credit: Bryan Kim Adjaruli Khachapuri If you want to swim in a pool of cheese and butter, go for the adjaruli khachapuri. The edges are crisp as a baguette, perfect for dipping into the molten center. photo credit: Bryan Kim Khinkali Order the beef-and-pork variety, say yes to the optional dusting of black pepper. photo credit: Bryan Kim Pork Mtsvadi If you want a straightforward option to pair with your khinkali and khachapuri, choose these glistening, fatty chunks of pork with a mustardy salad on the side photo credit: Bryan Kim Chicken With Elarji This crackly chicken is served over a bed of polenta-like elarji, which is surrounded by a thick and creamy walnut sauce. Not a light dish, but one you’ll remember. photo credit: Bryan Kim Chicken In Chkmeruli Chicken is never a bad choice here. If you want yours submerged in a pool of creamy garlic sauce, go this route. photo credit: Bryan Kim" - Bryan Kim