"TinaTin" Restaurant Moscow

Elegant Georgian Restaurant in Moscow                              Score: 4.5/5

Website:http://ginzaproject.ru/moscow/Restaurants/Tinatin/Menu/13708

Address: Moscow, st. Plyushchikha, 58, pp. 1a Tel: +7 985 761 66 36

Part of the Ginza project collection, I have to start by saying this may be the finest restaurant I have been to in a long time in terms of both the décor and fresh Georgian dishes.

If you love cosy, yet chic environments, which are both light and airy but secluded and intimate this is the restaurant for you.

Decorated to a “T” with large wooden tables, relaxing sofas, armchairs with printed cushions and of course the obligatory candles to perfect the ambience. The journey up the circular staircase, lit by white candles on each step in either large clear glasses or small decorative lanterns, leads you to different areas of the restaurant. It is as though you are being guided through a lovely large Georgian house with a mezzanine balcony allowing you to glimpse each floor. The style is what I would describe as elegant comfort and is exactly what I love.

The table setting

The staff are gracious, helping serve the food to share, adding to the homely feel. We opted for the Georgian classic starters of  Lobio "Harkaliya"(Whole beans, fried with onions, spices and greens) and the Assorted Pkhali (Tender medallions of beets, spinach, green beans, cabbage, seasoned walnuts). The translation of this is slight off as they are more like a dip/pate style but you can happily eat them without needing bread. They were fresh and full of flavour, I particularly loved the spinach Pkhail.

Lobio Harkaliya - 380 Roubles & Assorted Pkhali - 390 Roubles

Alongside the classic Georgian starters with chose the Khachapuri Adjara. This dish was on  another level, simply amazing! I love the concept of this, which is actually a bread (not your typical pastry) and is meant for tearing, sharing and dipping. It looks great and is hard not to love, although obviously not for those on strict diets. For those who agree with the 80/20 rule this is definitely one to treat yourself with and it won’t let you down.

Khachapuri Adjara (Boat of Pastry with cheese "Suluguni" & Egg)-440 roubles

After much deliberation and a little advice from the waitress, I chose the Red mullet at home, fried to a crisp  (710 R) for my main. In her words the red mullet is a better choice  “if you want to try something different”. To be honest, from the English translation of the dish it’s not what I expected and wouldn’t be my normal choice. It lacked some flavor and although I’m glad I tried it, if I was to go again I would choose something different. 

Барабулька по-домашнему,

обжаренная до хрустящей корочки

I also sampled the lamb shashlik Skewers of lamb flesh (930 R), a Georgian staple. The meat was again full of flavour and tender, I would recommend this especially if it’s your first time trying Georgian food.

Шашлык из мякоти ягненка

Our kiwi and cucumber home-made lemonade was very light and refreshing and it was great to see such a large range of interesting flavours including blackberry and basil.

Overall this restaurant is a winner in my books. Personally I find it very hard to discover restaurants that leave you in awe, the perfect atmosphere for both a meal with a group of close friends or a romantic meal for two.

I would definitely go back to Tinatin’s and encourage others to visit. Whether you live in Moscow or are just passing through, it offers an English menu and inviting atmosphere to make you feel welcome.

Everything about Tinatin comes together to create a unique atmosphere of home comfort and Caucasian hospitality. It’s a restaurant with a sense of home, you will not want to leave!