Ubani - Bay Ridge

"Every Georgian restaurant in New York has its two show pieces: the famous cheese boat, and their big, brothy khinkali. Ubani has great versions of both, but don’t sleep on the rest of the menu. They've got good cocktail game too, and an enclosed backyard, with picnic tables and blue couches.The Georgian salad and its creamy walnut dressing is our favorite dish here, and the cauliflower in walnut sauce and veal stew are tied for second. Choose Ubani over Cheese & Bread when you need some ambience for date night. " - neha talreja

"Every Georgian restaurant in New York has its two show pieces: the famous cheese boat, and a big, brothy khinkali. This Bay Ridge restaurant has great versions of both, but don’t sleep on the rest of the menu. The Georgian salad and its creamy walnut dressing is our favorite dish here, and the cauliflower in walnut sauce and veal stew are tied for second. They’ve also got a good bar game. Pick Ubani over the other Georgian spots in the neighborhood when you want to chase your khinkali broth with an icy clementine cocktail or Georgian wine. The modern minimalist dining room—light wood, plants, and mirrors—works for a date, but we prefer to sit at the picnic tables and comfy blue couches in their enclosed backyard. They also have another location in the West Village. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte Food Rundown photo credit: Neha Talreja Georgian Salad With Walnuts Georgia’s creamy walnut dressing, heavily spiced with coriander, should be more famous. Get this salad, it’s our favorite thing here. photo credit: Neha Talreja Imeruli Khachapuri Ubani has eight different varieties of khachapuri and lobani. They’re all good, but this flaky flat version, filled with scallions, is a good appetizer (as opposed to the cheeseboat, which usually takes over the meal). photo credit: Neha Talreja Khinkali These are basically giant soup dumplings filled with beef meatballs and an herbaceous broth. Ubani’s wrappers are extra thick and chewy." - Neha Talreja

"Gut-busting breads, heartwarming soups and juicy kebabs—this is the stuff of dreams—and after just one meal at this dreamy café, you’ll be counting the days until your return. The interior has been designed to mimic a quaint village, right down to the ersatz-style street lights and balconies. It also oozes comfort before you’ve even taken your first bite of a soft dumpling. Begin with the assorted pkhali, three salads composed of chopped green beans, spinach, walnuts and leeks, all spiced to the hilt. Winter’s chill doesn’t have a chance after you’ve devoured the chakapuli soup, but really, nothing says Georgian food quite like the acharuli khachapuri, a classic baked bread cradling a buttery, cheesy center that is as delectable as it sounds." - Michelin Inspector

"To dine in a place made up to look like a rural village in dark pink tones, try Urbani (which seems to be alternately known as Georgian Cuisine). All the familiar Georgian dishes are available, including dumplings, kebabs, pomegranate-strewn main courses, and the freshly made cheese flatbreads known as khachapuri. 8309 Third Avenue, near 83rd Street" - Robert Sietsema

"While one might go searching in Brighton Beach or Greenwich Village for Georgian food, Georgian Dream in Bay Ridge is another solid choice, owned by Besik Petriashvili and Valerian Ghachava. The inside is tricked out like a Caucasus village, much of the baking is done on the premises, and the menu includes all the Georgian classics, from adjaruli khachapuri and puckered khinkali dumplings to herb-bearing meat stews like veal chakapuli. The garden out back is very pleasant on a summer’s day." - Robert Sietsema