A restaurant called Chama Mama has signed a lease at 373 Amsterdam Avenue, between 77th and 78th Streets (formerly the home of La Vela Ristorante). This was brought to our attention by our tipster, ‘Upper West Sider,’ who saw it noted in The Real Deal.
Chama Mama serves “Classic Georgian cuisine with a modern spin,” the restaurant website states. They currently have a location at 149 West 14th Street.
Some of Chama Mama’s specialties include fresh baked bread in a clay oven, “cheeseboats” and natural Georgian wines.
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via Chama Mama on Facebook
Shared plates include a grilled kornish hen, kababs and skewers, and other meat dishes.

via Chama Mama on Facebook
And the dessert menu lists a Napoleon, honey cake, and a “pelamushi,” a traditional Georgian sweet grape pudding.

via Chama Mama on Facebook
Chama Mama has gotten quite a bit of press, including praiseworthy write-ups by The NY Times and The Infatuation.
Reviews from diners are also strong; the restaurant has a score of 4.5 stars on Yelp, 4.7 stars on Google, and 4.9 stars on their Facebook page.
Chama Mama tells us they plan to open before the end of the year, and they’ll be announcing an official opening date soon.
Learn more at chamamama.com.
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Excellent news. Looking forward to it!
Sounds great. Georgian cuisine, if done right, is incredible.
Great news, such an amazing restaurant!
This place is fantastic. I love their 14th Street location in Chelsea, so this will be a welcome addition to the UWS.
I stumbled into their downtown location thinking it was Southern food (I.e Georgian) and was ultimately thrilled to discover a new and delicious cuisine! The restaurant is absolutely fantastic and the staff were so nice. Best news I’ve read about the UWS in a loooooonnnggg time