DEDIKO

"Ella Bakh and her son and co-owner, Nico, opened this bright space to share the food of their native Tbilisi. The restaurant’s menu features comforting Georgian favorites like khachapuri adjaruli, a boat-shaped bread with fresh cheese, and khinkali, plump dumplings filled with beef and pork or mushrooms. Any visit should include both, as well as a few fresh salads and a small clay pot of a creamy bean stew called lobio. Dediko’s excellent wine list includes Georgian wines made in the classic style, fermented in underground ceramic pots called kvevri. Miniature versions of these wine pots are scattered throughout Dediko, giving a traditional Georgian flair to this modern space." - Rachel Pinsky

"This Vancouver Georgian restaurant is one of the few spots in the greater Portland area to get khinkali — knobby, dough-y parcels full of a rich beef-and-pork broth. Nibble on an edge to release the steam and broth, which has a captivating spice character that’s hard to pin down. Vegetarians can opt for a version made with mushrooms. The dish is best paired with an order of khachapuri, a cheesy Georgian stuffed bread." - Thom Hilton, Seiji Nanbu, Eater Staff

"Ella Bakh and her son, Nico, opened this charming space in downtown Vancouver to share food from Ella’s hometown, Tbilisi, Georgia. Their parklet mirrors the modern European-style of their restaurant with horizontal slats of wood, plants, and strings of honey-colored lights that flutter in the breeze like fireflies. Eastern European soul food like a warm Lobia pot (bean stew), boat-shaped khachapuri (cheese bread) warm from the oven, or tender knot-topped khinkali (dumplings) with beef and pork or mushrooms provide sustenance against the cold of winter. Mason jars of hot kompot (fruit tea), fresh fruit bobbing on the surface, or a glass of amber-hued Georgian wine complement the food. Reservations can be made by phone or through OpenTable. Happy hour runs everyday from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays." - Rachel Pinsky

"Ella Bakh and her son and co-owner, Nico, opened this bright, cozy space to share the food of their native Tbilisi. The restaurant’s menu features comforting Georgian favorites like khachapuri adjaruli, a boat-shaped bread with fresh cheese, and khinkali, plump Georgian dumplings filled with beef and pork or mushrooms. Any visit should include both, as well as a few fresh salads and a small clay pot of a creamy bean stew called lobio. Dediko’s excellent wine list includes some Georgian wines made in the classic style, fermented in underground ceramic pots called kvevri. Miniature versions of these wine pots are scattered throughout Dediko, giving a traditional Georgian flair to this modern space." - Rachel Pinsky

"This rustic Georgian restaurant presents the country’s classic dishes like khinkali and khachapuri alongside harder to find specialties like mtsvadi, grilled meats served with bazhe walnut sauce, and kharcho, a tomato-y beef stew. Finish a meal at Dediko with a slice of honey cake or whatever dessert is on special, accompanied by a cup of sweet, strong Turkish coffee or fruit-and-mint-infused kompot. Reservations are recommended for this intimate Vancouver restaurant." - Janey Wong