Degustation Visit to ‘The Shadow of Metekhi’
Such a location! Even if you are a foreigner, we’re pretty sure that the whole history of Tbilisi would appear in front of your eyes in a second. Especially when the treasures of Georgian cuisine are laid before you and all the aromas make you dizzy. Yes, we visited The Shadow of Metekhi and headed straight to the balcony. It’s safe to say that we have never before seen such a view of the Mtkvaririver! As if the restaurant was built according to a perspective specially chosen by an artist... Unsurprisingly, while sitting entranced in this Avlabari district of Old Tbilisi, on the balcony hanging over the Mtkvari, you start nodding to all the suggestions your waiter offers. The same happened to us and so we nodded in acceptance to ordering three dishes – “Boneless roast chicken with blackberry sauce”, “Beef tongue on Ketsi (stone cooking dish) and seasonal “Summer salad” – we didn’t even think of opposing or finding an alternative.
We thanked our lives for this wonderful day with white wine offered by our waiter and enjoyed the stunning view of Mtkvari in silence... We would have continued staring for longer if not the fragrance brought by the harmonious tandem of boneless chicken and blackberry sauce that woke us up instantly!
You could tell that the chicken meat was fresh, not pre-frozen ( a rarity in restaurants these days), and the blackberry sauce suited it perfectly. For sure you will enjoy the fact that the meat was boneless; it was like a fillet, though not similar to a frozen chicken breast, the typical association you get when thinking of fillet. No, it had a soft, unaffected texture. We felt the difference straightaway!
The seasonal summer salad didn’t take long to join us. It wasn’t enriched with any type of dressing; however thousands of vitamins took ample care of its richness. The salad leaves, various vegetables, feta cheese and other gathered details were like a painting of summer on this little dish!
That ketsi which was then brought to us was filled with chopped beef tongue and mushrooms, the ambitious aroma-characterizing tarragon could be clearly detected and all this was a simple ‘message’ from the chef – ‘Sorry, excitement ahead of you!” Mmm, it was really good! You’ve probably heard a lot about the exemplary friendship of mushroom and tongue, because a lot has been written and said about it, however, we’ve never heard of their third friend – tarragon, and from now one we can bravely call them – The Magnificent Three (not taking into account the rest of the ingredients)!
The Shadow of Metekhi has added an interesting thing to its distinguished service. Has anyone ever sung a song while serving you? Surprised, aren’t you? Yes, exactly! When, for example, the waiter brings braised veal to you, surprisingly and amazingly, he starts singing a beautiful Georgian song together with other waiters for you, and all this happens parallel to serving! Your meal won’t be late- on the contrary, you’ll be waiting impatiently for it in order for the amazing singing to reach your table in time!
Old Tbilisi views, a balcony hanging opened-hearted over the Mtkvari, waiters singing pleasantly, a menu that’s full of the treasures of the Georgian Supra (ancient Georgian meals) and Fusion (modernized Georgian meals)... When you become familiar with and get a taste of all of this, believe us, dear reader, you’ll find thousands of excuses not to leave the place...
Acho Zambakhidze and Keti Papava