Today we’d like to introduce you to Olga And Andrey Davydov.
Hi Olga and Andrey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sami Sumeli was not a spontaneous idea. By the time we opened, I already had 11 years of experience in the restaurant business, and my husband Andrey has a professional culinary education and has worked as a chef for many years.
We live in Texas and always felt that people here enjoy trying new cuisines, but at the same time they value comfort and familiarity. We didn’t want to open a strictly traditional place. Our idea was a Georgian-European restaurant. Georgian food brings warmth, sharing, and hospitality, while European presentation keeps the menu balanced and approachable.
Opening the restaurant was still a big step. Owning a place is very different from simply working in restaurants. We built Sami Sumeli almost from scratch, handled construction, menu development, suppliers, hiring, and all the daily operational details ourselves. It was stressful and exciting at the same time.
My husband runs the kitchen as the chef, and I manage the front of the house and guests. We are very involved every day, so the restaurant feels personal to us. Guests don’t just see staff, they see us.
The best compliment we hear is when people say the food feels homemade and they feel comfortable staying longer than planned. That was always the goal: not only to introduce new dishes, but to create a place where people feel relaxed, welcomed, and want to come back.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely was not a smooth road.
The biggest challenge was that opening a restaurant is never just cooking and service. It’s construction, permits, inspections, equipment, contractors, delays, and a lot of unexpected expenses. Almost nothing went exactly according to plan, and every solved problem was quickly replaced by a new one.
Another difficulty was building a team. Good staff is everything in a restaurant, and finding people who care about guests the same way we do takes time. We trained a lot, adjusted the menu, changed processes, and learned how to manage while still being present for guests every day.
We are also a family business, which is beautiful but not easy. You don’t leave work at work. The restaurant is part of your daily life, your weekends, your conversations at home, and even your sleep.
In the beginning many guests were not familiar with Georgian cuisine, so we had to explain dishes at almost every table. We realized quickly that our job was not only to cook but also to introduce a culture in a simple and welcoming way.
There were stressful moments and real doubts, especially during the opening period. But every time guests returned and brought friends, it gave us confidence that we were moving in the right direction.
We’ve been impressed with Sami Sumeli restaurant , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sami Sumeli is a family-owned Georgian-European restaurant in Texas. We combine traditional Georgian recipes with a lighter European style, both in presentation and in how the menu is structured. Many guests come to try something new, but they stay because the food still feels familiar and comforting.
We are especially known for our khinkali (soup dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese bread boat), which we make by hand every day, as well as kebabs, soups and house sauces. At the same time, the menu is not only Georgian. We keep a balance so that a guest who loves classic European dishes can still find something they recognize, while more adventurous guests can explore new flavors.
One thing that sets us apart is how personal the place is. We are in the restaurant every day. My husband runs the kitchen as the chef, and I work with guests in the dining room. People don’t feel like they are visiting a concept, they feel like they are visiting someone’s home. We spend a lot of time talking with guests, explaining dishes, and helping them choose, especially if it’s their first experience with this cuisine.
We are very proud of our wine program. We offer 20 different Georgian wines and only Georgian wines. We truly believe Georgian wine is the best in the world. It has 8,000 years of history, unique grape varieties, and a character you cannot find anywhere else. For many of our guests, it’s their first time trying it, and that discovery becomes part of the experience.
We also offer a selection of handcrafted European-style cocktails, made with care and fresh ingredients. Guests can choose classic alcohol-based options or beautifully balanced non-alcoholic versions. We wanted the drinks to feel thoughtful and special, just like the food.
Brand-wise, what matters most to us is atmosphere. We never wanted a formal or intimidating restaurant. The goal was warmth, hospitality, and consistency. We want guests to relax, share food, and stay longer than they planned.
If readers should know one thing, it’s this: Sami Sumeli is not only about trying a new cuisine. It’s about feeling welcome, comfortable, and taken care of from the moment you walk in.
How do you define success?
For us, success is not only numbers.
Of course, financial stability matters. A restaurant has to be healthy to survive. But real success is when guests come back and bring friends. When someone says, “We’ve been thinking about your khinkali all week,” or celebrates a birthday, anniversary, or special moment with us.
Success is also consistency. Serving the same quality on a busy Saturday night as on a quiet Tuesday. Keeping standards high even when we are tired.
On a personal level, success means building something that reflects who we are. A place that feels warm, honest, and welcoming. When people walk in and immediately relax, that is success to us.
And maybe most importantly, success is being proud of what we created together as a family and knowing that it brings people joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Samisumeli.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samisumeli
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HmcTmPgdK/
