A new restaurant, Keipi, will soon be open for a most unique dining experience.
Keipi is set to open around the first quarter of 2022 and is modeled and named after the keipi, the Georgian (the eastern European nation) style of a dinner party. The keipi involves strangers sitting together, songs being sung, poetry being read — along with as many as 14 toasts to everything from life to love.
The restaurant will be at Hampton Station, a collection of local businesses at 1320 Hampton Ave. Extension,
Greenville.
The restaurant is a fundraising instrument for the nonprofit First Things Foundation, which will staff it. The hope is the restaurant will be open for dinner every night of the week and for lunch on the weekends.
The restaurant will hold a 2-3 hour keipi meal either on Fridays or Saturdays by reserved seating. In addition, those planning special events can rent out a room for a keipi event.
Keipi facts
- Menu: khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (dumplings), beets, vegetables, side salads
- Location: Hampton Station
- Opening: First quarter 2022
One of the most popular Georgian dishes with Americans — something that will be on the Keipi’s menu — is khachapuri, a dish likened to pizza or cheese bread. However, the bread is shaped like a boat and often topped with eggs, cheese, and chives or parsley.
Patrons will also be treated to khinkali, a dumpling that’s like wontons. There will also be side dishes like beets, fresh vegetables and salads.
Before the restaurant opens, however, they can bring the experience to a dinner party, special event or celebration by emailing Reilly Dooris at reillydooris@first-things.org.
