Oda House UES — Restaurant in New York

We came after a Lincoln Center jazz concert with diner with the simple intention of grabbing a quick small appetizer just to experience this particular Georgian food location with 4.7 rating. I was pleasantly surprised by the modern atmosphere without a bunch of Georgian ethnic decorations all over the place. The young and great looking staff in plain black looked very sheek, and the older bartender in white created a nice black and white contrast. No logos, no clutter, very clean. We both ordered khinkali, quick and straightforward.

The wait for the dumplings turned into a very long delay. When I asked about the status of order, the waiter told me they take a long time to steam and that the water needs to boil. To me, that is ridiculous. Any professional kitchen should have boiling water ready. Even at home I keep a thermos with boiling water for tea or soup. For a staple dish served all day, this made no sense.

The wait was so long that we ended up having multiple conversations and a bathroom visit for both of us!

I asked the hostess if they had any bread, since many restaurants do that. I felt that the Georgians who pride themselves on being the best host, would embrace this opportunity. She flatly said no. It is not her job, but still, nobody checked in on us for a long time. Nobody even refilled our water. Later I called over another waiter, very nice young guy, and he helped us pass time discussing tradition of bread, with explanations about how it is baked and pictures.

The bathroom was actually quite nice, especially for Manhattan, but with a random photograph of two parrots on the wall. The wait dragged on. My dumplings came out at least ten minutes before my son’s. We usually eat together, so I waited. By the time his food came, my dumplings were predictably cold, and nothing was done about it even after i commented.

Weird: My plate had sour cream, and his plate had a little glass pepper shaker placed right on the plate. That was the most random thing because those shakers are usually sitting on the table next to the salt, not sitting next to your food, touching it.

The vegetarian mushroom dumplings were wonderful, but cold. I also want to note that the prices on the online menu $10 did not match what was presented at the restaurant 12.95.

Afterward they cleared our table completely, even whipped it, but did not bring the bill. Any restaurant knows the check should follow when the last plate leaves. Instead, we sat at an empty wiped table waiting even more, missing a beautiful sunset. I finally asked the redhead waitress for the check and told her it was annoying that my food came ten minutes before my son’s. For a small party of two, entrees should arrive together and hot.

That is when the real fun began. In my attempt to leave after 1+hr, the opposite happened. I was surrounded by the bartender on one side and the redhead on the other, standing within two feet of me. They insisted the meal would be on them and refused to let me leave unsatisfied. The bartender kept saying "i take the blame" even though he never serviced our table, and switched to speaking Russian, which I did not appreciate in the context of today’s politics. I felt insulted by the switch in language during all of this, as if I had any difficulty explaining myself in English (I do not, I assure you).

I found it ironic, since earlier we had discussed how free food can be considered insulting in Georgian tradition. Our entire intention was just a quick fifteen minute in and out for a couple of appetizers turned into more than an hour boredom and cold food. My bill was small. I insisted on paying, and it turned into another long back and forth. I even told them I would leave a bad review (hey, I never said I wouldn't even if they did) if they did not let me pay.

And in the middle of all that back and forth, I missed the sunset. Totally wasted evening. we already ate at the jazz club, but even after all this waiting, I was ironically starting to feel very hungry again. I came full, and...

Oda House

Last night, we had the pleasure of dining at Oda House on East 73rd Street, an experience that delighted our senses and left us with cherished memories. Situated in a cozy spot in the Upper East Side, Oda House offered us a remarkable dining experience that was both flavorful and aromatic, reminiscent of the rich and enticing scents of the Middle East and Mediterranean regions.

Ambiance: From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor was charming, with a perfect blend of modern elegance and traditional touches that transported us to a different world. The scent of spices and herbs filled the air, adding to the authentic experience and making us feel at home instantly.

Food: The menu at Oda House is a treasure trove of Georgian delights. Here’s a glimpse of what we enjoyed:

Khinkali Beef & Pork: These dumplings were packed with juicy meat and spices, offering a burst of flavor with every bite. Khinkali Lamb: Equally delightful, the lamb version of the khinkali was tender and well-seasoned. Tolma: This dish was a standout, with perfectly cooked stuffed grape leaves that were both savory and satisfying. Imeruli: The Imeruli khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread, was indulgent and rich, a must-try for cheese lovers. Chakapuli: This lamb stew with tarragon and green plums was hearty and full of depth, a true comfort dish. Kubdari: Another highlight, the Kubdari, a meat-filled bread, was flavorful and filling, showcasing the rustic and robust flavors of Georgian cuisine.

Service: The service was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu and ensuring we had everything we needed. Despite being a busy night, our food arrived promptly, and the staff frequently checked in to make sure we were enjoying our meal.

Overall Experience: Dining at Oda House was an absolute delight. The combination of exceptional food, enchanting ambiance, and outstanding service made for a perfect evening. We were there on a double date, and everyone had a blast. It’s a wonderful place for a cozy dinner with friends or a romantic night out. We highly recommend Oda House to anyone looking to enjoy an authentic and memorable dining experience in the Upper East Side.

We look forward to our next visit, and if you’re in the area, make sure to stop by Oda House for a culinary journey you...

My mom and I decided to stop at this Georgian restaurant for something light. We weren’t planning on a big dinner, just a quick taste of the place. We ordered khinkali dumplings, expecting them to arrive fairly quickly. Instead, we waited. And waited. When my mom and I both asked what was taking so long, but I am used to everything taking longer in Georgian culture.

The wait stretched on long enough that we started running out of patience. My mom asked the hostess if anything like bread was available while we waited. the restaurant was far from packed. Eventually we waived for another server to stop at our table, finally

When the dumplings finally started to come, they didn’t arrive together. My mom’s plate showed up first, and mine didn’t come until about 10-15 minutes later. She tried to wait for me, but by the time my food came out, hers had cooled off. This food can't be consumed cold, the cold dough turns into chewey rubber.

What I received was three dumplings and, oddly, a small glass pepper shaker resting right on the plate next to the food. Not on the table, but literally on the dish itself. It looked random. My mom’s dumplings came with sour cream, which at least made sense.

The lamb dumplings tasted good.

When we finished, the servers cleared the table completely but then left us sitting with nothing. No check appeared. We ended up just staring at an empty table, waiting, while the sun was setting outside. Watching that moment slip away was frustrating. Eventually my mom had to go over and ask for the bill herself, and she mentioned to the server how frustrating it was that the plates hadn’t been timed together and having yo wait for the check

At that point we just wanted to pay and leave, but instead things took an even stranger turn. All of a sudden, the bartender randomly appeared and one of the servers positioned themselves on either side of my mom, like blocking her. This turned into an uncomfortable back and forth.

The whole thing dragged on far longer than it should have. the staff went in circles. Then, to make things worse, they switched to speaking Russian while addressing my mom. Very long and strange experience. Do...