Genatsvale — Restaurant in Toronto

The food was quite hearty and flavourful, and overall okay. However, some of the dishes were extremely salty. The venue is a bit rundown, with the menus also falling apart. Some of the reviews say that the venue is elegant and cozy, but I can attest that it is definitely not. There was a bit of unpleasantness when we asked for extra bowls to share some of the soup. This simple request was turned down, despite that we were the only customers that evening. The reason was that they would not be in a position to offer us any extra bowls/spoons, unless each bowl was an order of soup. I understand the reasoning, but the fact that flexible customer service could not be provided to your only customers does baffle me.

In response to the owner’s comment:

Let me clarify that we ordered three bowls of soup to share, because we weren’t sure we would like the soup, especially since it was our first time adventuring into Georgian cuisine. In the end, we didn’t order a lot of food because the portions were quite big and we didn’t want to waste any food, especially since we had a lot of kids and seniors in our group. If the restaurant owner would like to specify a minimum charge per head, we would be happy to comply. Otherwise, please let your customers decide how much and what to order.

We were quite excited to try authentic Georgian cuisine, but were left a bit disappointed by the poor customer service, and even a bit more after an inconsiderate reply by the restaurant owner on this review. For those wishing to venture out and try a new type of cuisine, I would suggest going to a more accommodating restaurant, especially if you have children and seniors. I would also take the other Google reviews with a...

This is not a Georgian restaurant! Terrible in every way. If you're after authentic atmosphere, food and drinks, do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all cost! Much better options in the area! The food: Literally everything ordered was tasteless and and times inedible. Kompot (a usually very refreshing homemade fruit drink) tasted like a diluted soap water. Response from waiter: is fine it's always like this. They serve bread for the table which is cold simple white bread noting special. Bread is being cut by a guy at the bar who also handles drinks and money and highly doubt that there's any handwashing involved. Service: Waiter brought wrong order or, when asked about it, exact words were: " oh well, this what you get now", put the plate and left. Had very little idea about the food on the menu. Was borderline rude, and I say this considering this is a post society establishment where a sinple smile from a waiter is itself considered a delicacy. Music: If I want to hear little known Russian pop songs ( will never happen) I'll go to at least a Russian restaurant. I expect at least some Georgian music in a so called Georgian place. The venue: Admittedly place had been nicely renovated recently and underwent some rebranding but it isn't enough. There's A LOT problems and work to be done. We came there with a large group expecting a nice evening out with good food and atmosphere. Instead we got rude incompetent service, sub par food, terrible music. Sadly, this is just another post Soviet place that thinks that guests don't deserve to be treated well in...

I found Genatsvale by accident because it had one of those tacky portable signs out front advertising a $9.99 lunch special.

And I love Georgian food.

So I asked about the special, which for today at least was borshch (which they erroneously call Russian, but that can slide) and a chicken cutlet. Instead, I went for kharcho (a sort of spicy mutton and rice soup) and five khinkali (the world's best soup dumplings). It came out to twice what the lunch special would of, but I wasn't disappointed in the least.

Before getting any food out came nice, warm, fresh bread which I'd normally skip but it was delicious.

The place wasn't busy, which is too bad, but the food came out and was just what I wanted. The khinkali were a little less... I don't know what the word is, "firm" than I'm used to, but the filling was delicious. They looked much more "homemade" than what I became addicted to at ubiquitous khinkalnyas in Ukraine. The kharcho had just the right amount of spice, and huge chunks of meat, definitely satisfying.

The menu has lots of options, and if you're new to Georgian food and not by yourself, I'd strongly suggest you get yourself khatchapuri to start. Fresh bread with melty cheese topped with a raw egg you mix into the cheese to cook at the table - it's the world's best "rip'n'dip". I was solo so didn't get one, but saw one come out and it looked...