Authentic Georgian Foods in Eastern Canada
Featuring small restaurants owned and operated by immigrants
Tiflisi Restaurant in Toronto Ontario is known worldwide to be an international destination for visitors and immigrants alike, which makes it perfect to meet new people - and wonderful for adventurous foodies! It doesn't take long for a visitor to Toronto Ontario Canada to see the vast amount of small restaurants owned and operated by immigrants. A stroll downtown, in Scarborough, in Etobicoke or anywhere else in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) reveals a multitude of possibilities for a bite to eat. I had the pleasure of stopping in at Tiflisi Restaurant in Toronto Ontario, located at 1970 Queen Street East for some authentic Georgian food. "Ah, Georgia!" one may think. "This will be a blog about soul food!" Good guess but - no.
Tiflisi Restaurant in Toronto Ontario Beautiful Artifacts
To clarify, Tiflisi is a restaurant that serves food from Georgia the country, not Georgia the state. Still confused? Georgia is a small country in eastern Europe. When the former U.S.S.R collapsed in 1991, Georgia became its own independent nation. The name of the restaurant is named after the capital of Georgia, Tiflisi. Never having had the opportunity to visit Georgia myself, I decided to pop in for a bite to eat.
It is Like Patio Dining in Georgia
Toronto foodies have always been known to love patios, and they became a necessity during the pandemic due to local health restrictions. I enjoyed my special meal while people-watching on Queen Street East. A light September breeze made a sweater necessary, but I was still quite comfortable. I was lucky to have passed by Tiflisi Restaurant in Toronto Ontario while the lunch special was happening.
It's a good thing my appetizer was a light salad, given what was to come!
My Georgian salad tasted like it came fresh out of the garden. It consisted of tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell peppers, onions, vinegar and basil. I skipped on the cilantro. Soon after I finished my last bite, the main dish arrived, the aroma making my stomach growl.
The main course, a penovani. Can you smell it through your computer screen?
A penovani is a puffed pastry with an abundance of cheese inside. As one might imagine, it was very filling - and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. By the time I was done there wasn't a single crumb left on my plate! Tiflisi Restaurant in Toronto Ontario may be a small restaurant, but its menu is not. The variety of food is extensive, with a plethora of appetizers, soups, bread, barbecue platters and desserts to choose from. There is even a selection of Georgian wine, served by the glass or by the bottle.Lovely art displayed inside the restaurant.
While browsing the menu one other dish caught my eye - ""Khinkali", a Georgian dumpling. Prior to my visit to this restaurant, this had been the only Georgian food I've ever tried - not in Toronto, not in Georgia (it's on my travel list!) but Azerbaijan - a country geographically close to Georgia. Many regions in the caucuses share many dishes, though of course there are regional varieties.
If you happen to be dining with someone who is not as adventurous food-wise as you, not to worry - the menu includes familiar items such as French fries, mashed potatoes and rice with vegetables.
Just like the Canadian Flag, Georgia's is red and white.
Once you've finished your meal be sure to check out the art inside the restaurant. It is beautifully decorated with traditional Georgian artifacts, paintings and displays the national flag. Too busy to dine in, but itching to try the food? Curbside takeout is available, along with online ordering and delivery. Their menu, hours and additional information can be found at www.tiflisitoronto.ca.
This restaurant can be found at 1970 Queen Street East, a trendy area in Toronto. It is easily accessible by the 501 streetcar. Get off at Elmer Avenue Station and it's less than a two minute walk away. Now more than ever it is important to support our small locally owned restaurants. They need our support, and in return you can get mouth watering food with the added bonus of learning about another culture.