Q.S. Palace

GEORGIA 🇬🇪

Depending on which side of Q.S. Palace you enter, you might end up with one of two first impressions that differ very greatly. On the right side, a simple food store makes half of the business, selling salads and breads and the full takeout menu from a counter.

Georgian crêpes and cheeses and sparkling waters can all be purchased quickly to take home. On this right side of the store, the window allows you to see inside and light escapes to the street. It is likely that this will seem like the entrance to the restaurant.

Georgian salad ($7.99)

But that is actually located behind the tinted windows of the left portion of the property. During daylight hours, opening this door will seem like entering a completely dark room at least until your eyes adjust. At night you can get some sense of the interior, but only coming inside lets you enjoy it fully.

The design and decor is that of a palace for sure, only condensed into a small New York City space. A pleasant blue is the preferred color of walls and ceiling, but it is the gold trim that pops out from crown moldings and other elements.

In Brooklyn, a meal at any former Soviet country's restaurant should usually begin with some cold appetizers like satsivi with chicken ($15, above) and eggplant with nuts ($10, below). These are easy to enjoy a few bites of amongst a group and get your taste buds ready for the main events.

The nuts in question, as usual when talking about Georgian food, are walnuts. On this dish called nigvziani badrijani, the delicious paste is spread over the rolled eggplant, and could only be made better by a more liberal application of pomegranate seeds.

Possibly the two most famous Georgian foods known to non-Georgians are both done very well here, starting with the Acharuli khachapuri ($12.99, above). Take your photos quick and mix up the egg and butter into the scalding hot cheese so everything cooks together.

While important to non-Georgians, khachapuri of course is indeed so Georgian that the tradition of making khachapuri now landed on the list of 48 items of intangible cultural heritage made by UNESCO. This type is sometimes called Adjarski, named for the Black Sea and Turkey-adjacent Autonomous Republic of Adjara in Georgia's southwestern corner where it comes from.

The second item that everyone knows is fresh khinkali ($12, above), Georgia's contribution to the world of dumplings. Khinkali appear like a hot water bag, but are thick-skinned soupy delights to be approached with caution.

Allow them to sit and cool for a bit, then turn sideways and bite a hole into the side. Suck out the fragrant herbal juices carefully and continue to the meat.

Dolma in vine leaf ($12)

Potato with mushrooms ($10)

Lamb chakapuli ($16)

If you have ever traveled in Georgia in the summer, one of the most memorable parts of the capital city of Tbilisi is the smells and sights of grilled meats. Vendors outside fill the air with a wonderful aroma of lamb, pork, and chicken on skewers, known locally as shashlik.

In Tbilisi you may find your meats served with Kakhetian bread, named after the far east region that features some of the best grilled meats as well. Here at Q. S. Palace they serve the lamb lula kebab ($11.99, below) inside of a flatbread that seems more Armenian style. This is packed with onions and pomegranate seeds, and can be dipped in their bright red sauce.

Ojakhuri ($12)

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BENSONHURST Brooklyn

2305 65th Street

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