Tamada

the day I moved to the neighbourhood  I decided  to walk around and look for a places to eat. I was strolling down to Abbey Road when I came across a lovely village type section of Boundary Road with many ethnic restaurants. Well -  life seemed more interesting than ever as I love trying various cuisines. Only after I tried all the restaurants which I must say were nice I decided to write about the Georgian Restaurant Tamada. The restaurant looked nice and modern and extremely clean, so   I instantly liked the atmosphere. They were  some modern paintings on the walls, played nice Georgian  music that matched the ambience of the restaurant. The food and wine were delicious! I went for the cheese bread for a starter and  the spicy lamb casserole  as main course. Despite I am not a big fan of lamb, I was told that this was a bestselling main course. So I went for it. Wow! that was something – so many flavorous at the same time, very interesting and tasty indeed. Very reasonably priced, lovely staff and delicious food, what else one can wish to have just next door! Strongly recommended.
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ian
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 04, 2012

I was taken to Tamada for my birthday. Possibly the best meal of my life? Most of the food stood up to the high expectations. You could taste each key ingredient, and everything on the plate of maze worked in perfect harmony with a khachapuri cheese bread. The second course, was a further culinary experience as I had giant dumplings. A lamb dish I tasted from my boyfriend’s plate had a stunning flavour and was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere in the restaurant was cosy and warm with a candle on each table and low lighting. Finally the dessert, a combination of a rich walnut cake and a light grape jelly, Georgian pudding, was perfect. When the desserts came out mine had a candle in it and happy birthday written in a cherry syrup on the plate. What made the evening for me was the dessert was accompanied by Tamara who came out to congratulate me and to talk to all other tables. The way she was received it seemed that half of the diners knew her well. She was very elegant and charming. The wines were generally well picked and complimented each course beautifully. Thank you for an amazing evening, and good luck on well deserved recognition!
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Lisa
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 11, 2011

We recently chose Tamada to host my fiancé's birthday dinner for a total of 25 people. We wanted some new experience and were recommended by our neighbours. Staff at Tamada couldn't have made the evening more special. From the moment I called to make a booking I knew that I found something very special. Since it was a big party, Tamara, the hostess, recommended a feast menu and insisted that we should play a part in choosing the menu for the night. We met her a week before a big day and were amazed with her flexibility and kindness. She wanted to ensure that the food on the evening was exactly to our taste. We chose a big selection of recommended dishes for

the night, and she put this together for £25 per person for 3 courses (with dishes such both clod and hot starters with walnuts, lamb casserole, salmon, and some vegetarian options, etc.). The food on the night was exceptional very tasty indeed. The atmosphere in the restaurant was great, buzzing and busy, with good soft lighting and a background music. We took over a private room with a burgundy decor and Georgian paintings and stayed on drinking well into the night after finishing dinner. By the time we left it was well

after midnight but at no point did Tamara make us feel as though we had to leave. In fact a young man Zura, apparently a partner, came out and after producing a Georgia toast gave us a bottle of a very special semi-sweet wine as a present making us even more comfortable. A great evening and very enjoyed by all means!
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Charly
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Classy decor with modern paintings, unusually deemed lights, a sound of Georgian polyphony and reach fruity aroma of Saperavi wine immediately brought memories from my last trip to Georgia. However to have such close association of Georgia in London is a rare experience. No need to argue that Georgian cuisine is an exotic one, but food in combination with a wine and hospitality could exceed anyone’s expectation. I was told that hospitality is one of the cultural identities of Georgians’ cherished within and outside of this beautiful country. Those who have never been to Georgia a visit to Tamada could be the best introduction to this country’s cultural experience. Cannot recommend it more!
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Stephen
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 22, 2011

Our second time in Tamada - first, soon after it opened, to celebrate New Year, while this time round it was a small party for a friend's birthday. And what a treat we had - Georgian cuisine is taylor made for a party feast, and an array of unique and mouthwatering combination was brought to the table: khachapuri (freshly baked cheese bread), badrijani (aubergines stuffed with walnuts), spinach with walnuts, giant meaty and juicy dumplings called khinkali and best of all (in our view at least) a dish of lamb with damsons and generously treated with tarragon. You can count by the fingers of one hand the Georgian restaurants in London, and this is the one to go for - a small family affair, with quaint old-fashioned silver-plated cutlery from the region and simple tasteful decor and polite/attentive service. Strongly recommended.
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Ana F. - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 15, 2011

The minute you set your foot in Tamada, you are transported into Georgia – everything looks, smells and tastes like in Georgia. Food is the best you can have in and outside of Georgia, without exaggeration. The owner of the restaurant, Tamara Lordkipanidze, makes you feel at home, staff make you feel like you are paying a visit to a friend and not just being a client in a restaurant. It is almost a cultural experience!

My daughter has dairy and egg allergies and does not eat even slightly spicy food. The owner herself consulted us on what the best for her to have and advised her staff on preparation of the food. They really went out of their way to accommodate us! My 5 year old finished a full order of mushrooms and had Georgian pudding at the end.

Khachpuri – flat bread filled with cheese – is an absolute must. Kuchmachi melts in your mouth and khinkali is so good you will keep coming back for it! I really enjoyed every single dish I had and now can’t wait to go back and try other dishes. The menu tailors to all tastes and is vegetarian and children friendly. If you never had Georgian food before, this is absolutely the restaurant to go to! Great food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff and you will be greeted by the owner who has the brightest smile you have ever seen!
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Nata
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 14, 2011

My every visit at Tamada starts with a glass of red wine (Saperavi) and only then I start considering what to order this time. Since I have tried almost every dish they have on their menu, the choice is not easy because I love almost every single dish, but I also know that it would not be wise to order too much. The servings are big enough and really filling.

But if you have a family or friends accompanying you than I would recommend to get a variety of dishes and then to share them for richer Georgian food experience.

For starters my absolute favourites are: Badrijani (walnut staffed aubergines), Ispanaki (steamed spinach balls with herbs and walnuts) and Khachapuri (cheese bread). For main course I usually get Chaqapuli (lamb casserole) or Chashushul.

After having few more glasses of wine I certainly will not leave the restaurant without having a cup of Georgian coffee and piece of walnut cake - Ideali. And I certainly will be back quite soon...

Highly recommended
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Linda
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 09, 2011

Simply delightful. The woman who owns it, Tamara, is a lovely lady who wishes good health for all. The young man who served us was very polite. I would recommend the cheese bread!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 07, 2011

I'm afraid I have to side with Tom (below). I wouldn't say this was the best restaurant in London. Things started disastrously but then got better. I received a call at 7:45 "Hello its Tamada you have a reservation for 7:30." "Erm actually its 8:30. "Oh 8:30 ok.... he hangs up and leaves me open mouthed. I have to ring back to confirm 8:30 is ok. When we arrive (nice atmosphere pretty lights in the tree outside). Nobody takes our coats so they are left slumped over the chair. Then nobody gets us a drink/takes our order for a good 15 mins. I don't know for sure how long the wait would have been as fortunately I caught someone's eye and he sent a very polite and helpful waitress over. The biggest tip I can give you is. Don't order too much. Everything is super super filling. The bread stuffed with cheese is very nice but filling. The cold chicken in walnut sauce was arguably the tastiest thing we ate. By the time our mains came.... Veal, potato and tarragon freshly baked in a ceramic dish and the giant pork and beef dumplings. We were already pretty full so we took a doggy bag and will finish it tonight I am really looking forward to it. The staff organised our doggy bag and a bag purpose built for taking the remainder of my wine home and called me a cab. As the night went on the service improved rapidly and I will definitely be back as I want to try more of the dishes. Georgian cuisine is a massively refreshing change from the usual high street international norms.
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Nathan
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, February 06, 2011

Very authentic, tasty, high quality Georgian food.

Definitely worth a trip.

The restaurant is fully booked, so make sure you made a reservation.
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, February 05, 2011