Pheasant's Tears, the wine bar and restaurant founded by American painter John Wurdeman and Georgian winemaker Gela Patalishvili, is the best introduction to traditional Georgian qvevri wines in Tbilisi. The old-town location on Sioni Street has an atmospheric, slightly chaotic interior — mismatched furniture, Georgian art on the walls, folk musicians who occasionally play in the corner — and a deep wine list focused on natural and traditionally-made Georgian wines.
The food menu is serious Georgian cooking: seasonal vegetable dishes, grilled meats, excellent bean dishes, all paired with thoughtful wine suggestions. This is one of the few places where the connection between the wine and the food culture that produced it is made explicit. Booking is advisable for dinner; wine by the glass at the bar works without a reservation.