Washington DC Spotlight: Supra

Supra in Washington, D.C., is a celebrated restaurant that introduced the rich and flavorful world of Georgian cuisine to the nation’s capital.

🇬🇪 Supra: A Georgian Feast in DC

The name “Supra” itself has three traditional Georgian meanings:

1. A traditional tablecloth.

2. A lavish, celebratory feast featuring an abundance of food, wine, and toasts.

3. DC’s first restaurant to embody all of the above.

What Makes It Unique

Supra’s uniqueness is rooted in its dedication to being Washington, D.C.’s first authentic Georgian restaurant.

• Undiscovered Cuisine: Georgian food is often called the world’s “last great undiscovered cuisine.” It’s characterized by its blend of influences from the Mediterranean and Middle East, using unique ingredients like walnuts, pomegranates, and spices such as tarragon and dried marigold petals. The food is flavorful but rarely overly spicy, making it broadly accessible.

• The Wine Tradition: Georgia is widely considered the cradle of wine, with a winemaking tradition dating back about 8,000 years. Supra features an extensive, all-Georgian wine list, including unique varieties like amber wine (white wine oxidized with grape skins) and selections so rare they are sometimes unavailable even in Georgia.

• Cultural Atmosphere: The decor incorporates Georgian cultural elements, like the papakhi hats (worn by mountain shepherds) hanging from the ceiling and original art from Tbilisi. A famed Georgian street artist, Giorgi Gagoshidze (Gagosh), even created a vibrant mural behind the bar.

History

Supra was opened in November 2017 in the Shaw neighborhood by husband-and-wife team Jonathan and Laura Nelms. Jonathan, an attorney who worked in Moscow, developed a deep love for the cuisine and culture after frequenting Georgian restaurants there and traveling to Georgia. Missing the authentic food back in the States, they decided to bring it to DC.

The kitchen is helmed by a chef with deep roots in the cuisine, such as Malkhaz Maisashvili, a former chef at the Embassy of Georgia, ensuring the authenticity of the dishes.

Highlight Menu Items

Supra’s menu features classic, must-try Georgian staples:

• Khachapuri: The iconic cheese-filled bread. The most famous is the Ajaruli Khachapuri, which is a boat-shaped bread filled with molten cheese, butter, and topped with a runny organic egg yolk (meant to be mixed in at the table).

• Khinkali: Flavorful soup dumplings, often filled with beef, pork, or mushrooms. The broth inside makes for a unique eating experience.

• Mtsvadi: Grilled meat skewers, similar to a shish kebab.

• Pkhali: A selection of vegetable pastes and spreads, often made with spinach, beets, or green beans, and thickened with a walnut paste.

• Georgian Wine: A curated selection of wines like Saperavi (a bold red) and the aforementioned Amber Wine.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback for Supra is generally very positive, highlighting the restaurant’s authentic food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly service.

• High Praise: The restaurant is frequently praised for the Khachapuri and Khinkali, which are often described as “must-try” items. Many diners appreciate the unique culinary adventure and the authentic, inviting ambiance.

• Accolades: Supra has been featured in major publications and was recognized by Wine Mag as one of “America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants” in 2018 for its extensive Georgian wine list.

• Points of Note: Some reviews, particularly from those familiar with Georgian food, have occasionally noted inconsistencies in service or questioned the authenticity of certain dishes compared to truly traditional recipes, though overall consensus is very favorable. The location is also sometimes noted for challenging street parking.

Significant Events

While the restaurant hosts many private events, celebrations, and offers catering, the most significant recurring events often center around the Georgian feast tradition:

• “Meet the Winemakers” Supra Dinners: The restaurant frequently hosts specialized multi-course Supra (feast) dinners, often featuring visiting winemakers from Georgia. These dinners include multiple wine pairings and are traditionally led by a Tamada, a toastmaster who guides the long, poetic, and often song-punctuated tradition of Georgian toasting.

• Cultural & Seasonal Events: Supra participates in city-wide dining events like DC Restaurant Week and celebrates major holidays. The owners have also hosted events with groups like the Harvard Club of Washington, DC for unique Supper Club wine-pairing experiences.

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