Tabla Georgian Restaurant Opened Monday on Georgia Ave!

3227 Georgia Ave, NW

Thanks to Nate and Tom for sending: “Tabla opened quietly over the weekend in Park View. This is the smaller-size spinoff Georgian restaurant from the people who run Supra on 11th Street. The wife and I went there for take-out today. Great food, decent prices, cool spot. Next time we’ll dine in on their patio.”

From a press release:

“Jonathan and Laura Nelms, owners of Supra, announce the July 6 opening of D.C.’s second Georgian restaurant, Tabla. Tabla will be a casual neighborhood restaurant at the corner of Lamont Street and Georgia Avenue in the Park View neighborhood (between Petworth and Howard University). In accordance with DC regulations, Tabla will begin with modified service to include takeout, outdoor seating on the 25-seat patio, and spaced indoor seating at 50% capacity. Contactless ordering and delivery service will be available in the near future through the DC-based Table Side app.

‘Tabla’ is a Georgian word for an outdoor table used to serve the copious amounts of food characteristic of a traditional supra, a celebratory feast enjoyed in the country. The culinary team at Tabla, led by Chef Lonnie Zoeller and Supra veteran Alfredo Martinez, with input from Georgian national and Supra Chef Ani Kandelaki, have created a menu centered around khachapuri and khinkali (soup dumplings). In addition to classic varieties of these Georgian favorites, Tabla looks forward to rolling out its own versions of the stuffed cheese breads and dumplings using seasonal ingredients, playful twists on tradition, or whatever the chefs come up with when inspiration strikes.

Complementary dishes include grilled kebabs and a number of vegetable-based salads and starters. Rounding out the menu are some fun American bites with Georgian flavors such as a Kartuli Corn Dog (a ‘kupati’ sausage fried in a west Georgian-style cornmeal batter) and the team’s rendition of a catfish po’ boy, complete with Georgian condiments, jonjoli, and other toppings.

Like Supra, Tabla will offer an all-Georgian wine selection (red, white, rosé, and amber) but with a more streamlined list suited to the more-casual setting. A thoughtful Georgian-inspired cocktail program, along with Georgian soft drinks and a selection of DC-area craft beers and ciders, both bottled and on tap, will round out the beverage offerings. Tabla is looking forward to bottling some of its cocktails, which will be available for takeout along with its beers, wines, and Georgia’s signature spirit, chacha.

The 53-seat space will be airy, relaxed, and friendly, with garage-style doors opening up to 25 patio seats. The interior will feature a 14-seat bar, a 16-person communal table, and a khinkali bar with an open view of chefs hand-rolling the soup dumplings. 2Scale Interiors, the designers behind Supra, shaped the interior of the 2,000 sq. foot space, which includes artwork by Lamb, one of Tbilisi’s top street artists. One of his signature commissions for Tabla is a rendition of the DC flag with khinkali replacing the stars. Local muralist Jarrett Ferrier, behind several interior pieces at Supra, pitched in as well, creating the Georgian-language ‘Tabla’ signage outside and making sure guests won’t leave the restrooms without learning a bit about the Georgian language.

Tabla will be open seven days a week, from 10 am to 10 pm Sunday-Wednesday and 10 am to 11 pm Thursday-Saturday, with simple all-day food and beverage menus laid out on large chalkboards that can be read from anywhere in the space. While khachapuri are a perfect food for any meal – and khinkali are a great post-hangover food – Tabla does plan to introduce some more breakfast-oriented dishes in the future.

Laura and Jonathan’s travels to Georgia have allowed them to form tight-knit relationships with wine producers, chefs, artists, and artisans that have inspired and contributed to Supra and now Tabla. “We love working closely with our friends in Georgia to bring a small piece of their culture to D.C., and to have another place to serve Georgian food in the District with Tabla is very exciting for us,” Supra’s co-founder Jonathan Nelms said.

The Nelms frequently travel to the region and lived for three years in Moscow, where they observed the overwhelming popularity of Georgian restaurants among expats and locals alike. While both Jonathan and Laura will continue to be familiar faces in Shaw at Supra, they are looking forward to being a part of the Park View community with the opening of Tabla.”