Khachapuri, currently operating from Nama Café on 33 Westow Hill in the evenings, was opened by Masha and Daniel earlier this year.
Less than a year later, it has already become a hit with locals, with many praising the unique, cheese-filled Georgian breads on social media and in the community.
Daniel told Your Local Guardian: “It all kind of snowballed.
“Masha grew up cooking Georgian dishes for her family, and her dad was one of the first people to import Georgian wine into Russia after the USSR broke up.
“We shared a love for khachapuri, realised it was hugely popular in Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia, but had very little presence in the UK.
“That’s when we decided to start something here.”
The couple first tested the concept with a pop-up in Covent Garden, running inside a bar owned by a friend.
Daniel explained: “Everyone who tried it loved it, and the response was so positive that we wanted to bring it closer to home.
“Being Crystal Palace locals ourselves, we knew the area well and felt it was the perfect place for a community-focused pop-up.”
Khachapuri is a Georgian cheese bread, with the most famous version being the adjaruli khachapuri, which is boat-shaped, filled with molten cheese, and topped with a lightly cooked egg yolk.
Daniel said: “The golden rule is more cheese than bread.
“We even torch the yolk at the table, so it’s a real sharing dish.”
The couple chose Crystal Palace for its community feel and family-friendly atmosphere.
Daniel said: “We just love the area.
“We love the family nature of it.
“We want to do more things with the families and like the future plans are to have things like parents being able to come down with their kids and make their own khachapuri, just like people would make their own pizzas and things like that as a bit of a family fun day out.
“And it just fits the whole vibe.
“It’s a very community-oriented place, and it feels very warm and homely whenever you walk around in Crystal Palace.”
The couple are currently negotiating a permanent restaurant in the Triangle area.
Masha said: “We will have a restaurant in the Triangle.
“At the moment, we are in a kind of negotiation with the legal things.
“But soon enough, we will be a proper restaurant.”
The couple hopes to introduce Georgian wine alongside their dishes once they have their alcohol license secured.
Wine is believed to have first been invented in Georgia around 8,000 years ago, and Daniel says they’ll be partnering all those things together in the hope of making Georgian cuisine “a little bit of a home staple rather than a niche”.
Khachapuri is also dog-friendly, with Daniel and Masha having their own dog in the restaurant from time to time.
Khachapuri currently operates in the evenings at Nama Cafe while the couple prepares for their permanent location.
