Chama Mama

TLDR: service is great. Food is great. Perfect for an intimate meetup. The outdoor area is very warm in the winter. Look below on what I think you should get: Appetizers: Get the khachapuri! It's a cheesy bread. The corn bread wasn't that great. Entrees: I recommend either the chicken or the beef kebab for a more protein- heavy option. The Saperavi and Pomegranate Beef Stew is delicious for a more balanced meal with sweetness and savoriness. Dessert: The honey cake is delicious! Drinks:The drinks were delicious too. They have Georgian beer as well as freshly brewed coffee and cocktails.

The food at Cahma is very good; the big (or small) problem is that the portions are very small and very expensive--even for Manhattan. We used to get delivery from here weekly, but their prices have really gone up and portions have shrunk (I guess because of Biden inflation), and so now basically its much too expensive. Example: I just got an order of grits, or as it is called traditionally, ghomi; it was very small, like one large spoon for $5.00. There are all these crazy claims online that Georgian hosts are very generous, but I doubt that could ne true based on the very small portions of their appetizers--and very high prices for said appetizers. Some day, when I have serveral million dollars in the bank, I will be able to order from Chama again. The usual price for two vegetarians is well over $120.00 (obviously that is food only).

I was drawn to Chama Mama by a post I saw showcasing their cheesy, ooey gooey adjaruli khachapuri (open-faced with blended cheese, topped with raw egg and butter inside a bread bowl essentially). First, you don't realize you're eating raw egg or butter because they mix it for you table side. And it is decadent, indulgent, and delicious. My server recommended I mix it with my vegetables served with my opener, Taste of Georgia (will be discussed shortly). And it was a taste bomb that changed the whole flavor profile.Rewind to my starter, the previously mentioned Taste of Georgia. This is a selection of Pkhali, a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables. I had a selection of kidney beans, cabbage, eggplant, spinach, and carrot. These combos were combined with walnuts, onions, garlic, and herbs, served with their famous bread and smoked cheese. Not only were these veggie creations delish, but the smoked cheese had a real sharp bite to it that was the perfect contrast. And again, all of this combined with the adjaruli was amazeballs.For my entree I had the chicken mtsvadi, which was a simple dish of marinated and seasoned chicken in pieces. Different from kebabs, which are served as ground meat. Given everything I had previously was so rich and heavy, this was a good way to end the night, though I had my eye on the beef kharcho soup (Georgian beef soup with tomato, wheat berries, and spices). I also considered the saperavi and pomegranate beef stew and the megruli kharcho cauliflower.They also have various types of bread--some with spiced beef and pork, some with cheese or spiced mashed beans. Several vegetarian options and some vegan and gluten free options as well.They have an extensive wine list and their menu recommends which wines to have with which dishes. I had cocktails this time around, though I think I'l try the wines next time.I had multiple cocktails: the ambe (ambe wine, peach liquor, aloe-honey tea jam, fresh lemon juice, aquafaba). I had the Georgia 1991 (Georgian craft gin malamo, millet rose, fresh raspberry puree, fresh lemon juice, and faba foamer). Chacha Negroni (ambe chacha, italicus, lilet blanc, lemon bitters). A Negroni unlike anything I've had. It was not smoky and was really light and refreshing. I ended with the lavender blossom (house infused gin, St. Germain, lavender syrup, and fresh lemon juice). The cocktails were all light, complex, balanced, and interesting.My server was Vazha K. and he was attentive and helpful and happily made suggestions on what to order and how to consume each dish optimally.Wasn't hard to snag a reservation on a Saturday at 7 PM for one on Resy, but it was still a pretty busy place. As I waited on my table, a couple without a reservation stopped by to enquire about dining in, and they were told the wait was 40 minutes.Will definitely return to try to more tasty Georgian food.

It's Ok. Dined with a group of five so we approached enthusiastically with an open mind and tried a broad range of foods.The names are complex- apologies for not pasting them from the menu into this review. With that caveat, we had:-The lamb grape leaves appetizer. 4 included. Small but good-The flat bread dish that has beans within- interesting, but very mild in flavor. Of 5, two ate from it-The chicken, wrapped. One diner who said that was great-The pumpkin soup, a small single bowl at 14$Two of us who had the ?lobiano bean entree dish- apologies, but an utter disappointment, and to list it as an entree.... i make a simple Fava beans dish that laps this 5 fold. Flavors bland at best. And the prices are disproportionate for the dishes offered- $18 for the small bean dish,$14 for soup, similar $ for 4 small grape leaves.Ambience is loud. Waitress could not hear me and I could not hear her, at a back room table so I resigned to let a closer diner in our group speak to her and demurred at asking questions. I can't fathom why she wouldn't just walk a little closer to talk me be about the menu.I can see that other diners quite liked it, and I'm pleased that they have, but for our group, that was far from true. We reached consensus on that point, and we won't be back.

First experience with Georgian food and thanks to Chama Mama, I can say I'm a fan! We stopped in for a late night reservation, but the restaurant was busy so we had to wait about 20mins for our table to be ready. Inside, the restaurant is pretty large with three main spaces and it was bustling with excitement but also felt pretty well spaced out. The art was eclectic and interesting. Cocktails were also delicious.

A fun, loud restaurant with lots of character and great Georgian food. All the bread, cheese, dips and meat were tasty with decent sized portions. Didn't love the khinkali, it's quite doughy.The service was good, though we waited 20 mins for our 9pm reservation

Chama Mama provided a unique introduction to Georgian cuisine, featuring a charming atmosphere with romantic lighting. SERVICE - Unfortunately, the service was a letdown; the staff seemed rushed and more focused on turning tables than ensuring a good experience.FOODEggplant Dip - We started with the eggplant dip, which was a bit lacking in flavor and didn't come with anything to pair it with. Salad - Next, we tried the salad, which included large, raw chunks of pumpkin that felt out of place. Cheese bread - The cheese bread was the standout dish--rich and heavy with cheese and egg, though we could have used more bread for scooping. Chicken Kebabs - The chicken kebabs were flavorful and well-seasoned.Overall, while it was nice to explore something new, the experience didn't leave us eager to return. If you're curious about Georgian food, it might be worth a visit, but be prepared for some inconsistencies.

Chama Mama Chelsea is a great spot to experience Georgian cuisine! The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and a menu full of delicious dishes. I particularly enjoyed the salad, dumplings, and bread.Overall, I would definitely recommend Chama Mama Chelsea to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Georgian dining experience.

Get the kachapuri! Definitely worth the hype! It's similar to a pizza like dough but with egg and cheese - aka cheese boat.Their shakshuka is also good so I'll be back to try the other items!

Until recently, I couldn't have pointed out the country of Georgia on a map, let alone described its cuisine. But my visit to Chama Mama changed all of that--and in the best possible way.Food:The flavors here are nothing short of extraordinary. Bold, robust, and layered, the dishes felt like a celebration of comfort and complexity. Cilantro and pomegranate made frequent, delightful appearances, adding brightness to the rich, hearty profiles of the food. The dishes were slightly reminiscent of Mediterranean flavors but with a distinctive twist that was unmistakably Georgian. Proteins simmered in decadent sauces, paired with house-made breads, created a dining experience that felt both unique and deeply satisfying.Atmosphere:The moment you step into Chama Mama, you're enveloped in a warm, inviting environment. The decor strikes the perfect balance between casual and cozy, making you feel right at home. The atmosphere radiates comfort and authenticity, encouraging you to linger over your meal and soak it all in.Service:The staff at Chama Mama are as warm as the ambiance. As first-timers to Georgian cuisine, we leaned heavily on our server for guidance, and they didn't disappoint. They walked us through the menu, sharing insights about traditional dishes and even recommended a phenomenal bottle of Georgian white wine to complement our meal. Their genuine friendliness and expertise elevated the entire experience.If you've never explored Georgian cuisine--or even if you have--Chama Mama is a must-visit. It's a restaurant that serves not just food, but an experience steeped in flavor, warmth, and hospitality. I'll definitely be back!