24 for '24 #2: Georgia's Feast Celebrates Nine Years in Beijing
24 for ‘24 is a series showcasing 24 of Beijing’s best places to drink, eat, and relax in 2024, to help folks get out of the house and into all these great F&B spots around the city.
Georgia’s Feast will be celebrating their nine year anniversary in one week’s time (Tue, Mar 26) and what better way to commemorate the occasion than with the second spot in our 24 for ’24 series!
Yes, next Tuesday Georgia’s Feast will be marking nine wonderful years of bringing delicious, authentic Georgian food to the capital. Originally located just off the Liangma River, Georgia’s Feast opened up back in 2015 after the owners’ chance visit to Georgia inspired them to bring the wines and cuisine of the country back with them to Beijing.
A murial in the main dining area depicts a range of important elements of Georgian culture
Known as “God’s back garden” due to its contrasting landscape that includes mountains, forests, the Black Sea coastline, and the fertile plain of the Kolkhida Lowland, it's this landscape that has enabled Georgia to grow a diverse array of produce and, of course, grapes for wine (fun fact: Georgia is considered the birthplace of wine). For a relatively small country, the diversity of dishes made from this produce is overwhelming, and it’s easy to see why the owners wanted to introduce it to Beijing.
The main dining area looks like something straight out of Georgia
Following many successful years in the capital, including providing full banquet services for the 2019 visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to China, Georgia’s Feast relocated in 2021 to a larger and more upscale venue in Dongzhimen. The space is beautifully decorated with Georgian architecture and artwork and has a large indoor dining area on the ground floor split into various sections that include two bars and a stage. There is also an upstairs area, three large private rooms downstairs and a lovely terrace that’s perfect to enjoy now the weather is getting warmer.
To celebrate their nine year anniversary, they are hosting a big party starting at 5pm on Mar 26. For only RMB 99 you can get unlimited free flow of selected Georgian wines, cocktails and soft drinks. They’ll also have live music courtesy of MAMI and the band, lucky draws, a professional photographer and other treats to make it one party you don’t want to miss!
Along with the anniversary party, Georgia's Feast will have a special anniversary celebration period from Mar 23-31. During this period, they'll have a special offer where if you top up RMB 9,000 on a membership card you’ll get an additional RMB 1,999 as a gift!
Now, at the heart of Georgia’s Feast is their amazing food, created by their Georgian head chef Neli Tomaradze, which has gained them such renown here in Beijing. There is no better way to enjoy Georgian food than by sharing and here are some of our personal favorite dishes that are perfect for enjoying with family and friends.
The Adjarian Khachapuri has gained Georgia's Feast much fame in Beijing
We, of course, have to start with one of Georgia’s Feasts most famous and popular dishes: Adjarian Khachapuri (RMB 88). This traditional Georgian dish is often referred to as the “mother of pizza” a super soft dough crust is stuffed with Sulguni cheese and a free range egg which is then mixed together at the table in front of you to create a rich, cheesy filling that melts in your mouth.
They also have two other variations of khachapuri available: Mixed Cheese Khachapuri (RMB 118) and Mengrelian Khachapuri (RMB 98, both pictured in lead image).
Garlic fans will love the Chicken Chkmeruli
Moving on to the meats, a particular favorite of ours is the Chicken Chkmeruli (RMB 98) which features grilled chicken covered in a creamy, garlic sauce, with pieces of pomegranate sprinkled atop like jewels of sweetness. We are also big fans of the Georgian Odzhahuri (RMB 108), a stew with strips of beef fillet, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers cooked together with a blend of spices in an earthenware pot with pastry lid. It makes for one warming, hearty dish with its tender beef and soft potatoes that soak in all the flavor of the sauce.
The Georgian Odzhahuri is a classic, hearty dish
Another sensation is the Pork or Beef Khinkali (RMB 58), meat stuffed dumplings which look a little bit like giant xiaolongbao. However, these are eaten in a very different way, you grab the khinkali by the pleat (aka the top), turn it upside down then take a small nibble to suck out all the soup before devouring the delicious insides. For non-meat eaters, they also have Mushroom Khinkali (RMB 58) on the menu too.
The Khinkali look like giant xiaolongbao
As well as main dishes, Georgia’s Feast has numerous appetizers and side dishes to enjoy, a number of which showcase walnuts as a main ingredient. In Georgian cuisine, walnuts are particularly revered and two stand out dishes on the menu at Georgia’s Feast are the Eggplants Stuffed with Walnut Sauce (RMB 48) and the Georgian Phkali (RMB 58).
The Eggplants Stuffed with Walnut Sauce and the Georgian Phkali are pefect appetizers or side dishes
The former is a cold dish that sees a walnut and cheese stuffing rolled up in thin slices of grilled eggplant. The latter features three brightly colored quenelles of different types of phkali: spinach, carrot and beetroot served with a basked of freshly baked rolls. Phkali is a a spread made from a mix of vegetables and walnuts, and is a staple in Georgian cuisine.
The Stuffed Grape Leaves are a great meaty treat
The Stuffed Grape Leaves (RMB 78) are another must try dish, although these are a staple dish in this corner of the world, each country has its own distinct twist and these are no exception. Georgia’s Feast’s stuffed grape leaves are delicately sized and stuffed with beef, lamb and rice, they have a higher meat to rice ratio than many other variations making for a more savory experience.
Just look at all that delicious meat!
Finally, we of course have to mention Shashlik, aka Georgian kebab, skewers of charcoal-grilled meat served with a side of grilled vegetables, Georgia’s Feast has six different kinds on the menu. They can be ordered individually (RMB 88-158) or can be ordered as platters (RMB 118/for one, RMB 198/for two, RMB 358/for four).
It isn’t just their excellent food that has made them a name in Beijing over the years, but also their selection of imported Georgian wine and, when speaking of wine, we have some exciting news! Following on from a trip to Georgia last year, they will soon be launching a new wine list which will include Georgian specialty Qvevri Natural Wines, wines from ten different Georgian wineries, as well as a selection of fine wines from around the world to make a grand total of 72 selected wines!
A great way to enjoy their wines is with their special Saturday wine deal where selected Georgian wins are 30 percent off. However, Saturday isn’t the only day they have great specials up for grabs, on Mondays Khinkali is 50 percent off, on Tuesdays selected Georgian vegan dishes are half price, on Wednesdays selected salads are half price, on Thursdays Brooklyn draft beer is BOGOF, and on Fridays selected cocktails are BOGOF.
Georgia's Feast's Nine Year Anniversary Party will be taking place from 5pm on Mar 26. For RMB 99 you can enjoy unlimited free flow of selected Georgian wines, cocktails and soft drinks.
The Beijinger’s Fan Addicts Dining Club will be having a small get together (16 seats) for a tasting at Georgia’s Feast on Friday next week (Mar 29) at 6.30pm. The dinner will include a carefully crafted sharing menu including some of their signature dishes like Georgian Pkhali, Chicken Chkmeruli, Assorted Kebab Platter and Adjarian Khachapuri plus drinks for ony RMB 248 a head – more than 20 percent off their menu prices! Interested in attending? Add tbjhelper on WeChat by scanning the QR code below and let us know you'd like to join the dinner!
Georgia's Feast
9 Dongzhimen Neidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门内大街9号院
Hours: 11.30am-midnight
Phone: 010 8448 6886
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Images: courtesy of Georgai's Feast, Wang Tian, Chengchen
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