Snow-capped mountains ancient churches and watch towers, and charming medieval towns make Georgia one of the world’s most alluring destinations, yet it still remains undiscovered by globetrotters. The same can be applied to this new Georgian restaurant Argo. Though it’s located in a soi that’s frequented by foreign tourists, many of them—and the city’s locals—remain oblivious to its existence. Their loss, we say. Argo is all about exuding Georgian charm, manifested through scrumptious national dishes and a setting that takes you straight to a cozy eatery in downtown Tbilisi.
“[Compared to Greek food], Georgian food is spicy and uses more herbs like khmeli suneli, so Thai people usually like it more,” explains the owner Anna Avramidou. The restaurant is the sister outlet of Avra, the Greek restaurant on Soi Sukhumvit 33. Guests dine in a dimly lit room surrounded by Georgian art and traditional tapestry; Georgian folk music play in the background.
Starters include ajapsandali (Georgian vegetable ragout, (B120) with eggplant, green peppers and a touch of spicy khmeli suneli (mixed Georgian herbs); badrijani nigvit (B130), a fried eggplant rolled and stuffed with a nutty walnut paste and pomegranate; and satsivi (B190), a walnut soup with grass-fed chicken that reminds us of a subtle tom kha gai.
You won’t get the complete Georgian experience until you sample khinkali or Georgian beef dumplings that, similar to xiao long bao, are filled with soup and aromatic herbs (B70/piece). If you like spicy food, try tsitsila tabaka (B580), which features a whole, boneless chicken with ajica sauce (hot chili sauce) and chopped cilantro.
The restaurant also offers a selection of Georgian wine (did you know that Georgia is one of the oldest wine countries) that’s served in a kvevri or a traditional Gerogian earthenware vessel.