Armenia is a fascinating mix of cultures.
The cuisine of Armenia, like the country itself, is a crossroads. Flavors of the Middle East and Mediterranean mingle with influences of the Europe and the Caucasus to create a cuisine that is eclectic yet self-contained. As the Armenian diaspora reached the United States, new influences entered, but the soul of Armenian cuisine remains. There are a few Armenian restaurants in the Chicago area, each putting its own spin on this fascinating cuisine.
Sayat Nova
Sayat Nova is located on Ohio Street just off Michigan Avenue in Chicago's downtown Streeterville neighborhood. Specializing in a combination of Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine, this small neighborhood restaurant offers such dishes as Armenian spinach sautéed in olive oil with chickpeas, red lentil soup, Yalanchi Sarma (vegetarian grape leaves stuffed with rice, chickpeas and pine nuts) and tourshee, an assortment of pickled vegetables. Sayat Nova is open seven days a week and serves lunch Monday through Saturday. The restaurant also features visiting DJs and late-night drink specials.
Sayat Nova
157 East Ohio St.
Chicago, IL 60611-3107
312-644-9159
sayatnovachicago.com
Restaurant Naha
Naha is the brainchild of chef Carrie Nahabedian and her cousin Michael Nahabedian, a restauranteur formerly of the well-known restaurant Café Absinthe and Green Dolphin Street jazz club. The pair has created a fusion of their Armenian roots and California-style cuisine, including such dishes as roasted quail, Rhode Island skate wing, ranch venison and Kobe beef. Zagat called Naha "innovative fine dining, consistently among the best," and Gourmet Magazine said "Naha is solidly installed on the city's restaurant A-List." Naha is located on Clark Street near Illinois, steps from the merchandise Mart, and is easily accessible from the Ohio Street exit of the Kennedy Expressway.
Restaurant Naha
500 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60654-7188
312-321-6242
naha-chicago.com
Restaurant Ararat
Located 35 minutes north of Chicago in the suburb of Mundelein, Ararat is a small Armenian restaurant and shish kebab house launched in 2006 by Oleg and Lily Melkumyan. Starters include khachapury (a crispy cheese pie), samsa (a lamb pie) and piroshki (the armenian equivalent of pierogi, with various fillings). Entrées include pork, beef and lamb shish kebab, manti (steamed dumplings with diced lamb), whole fish on the grill and whole lamb leg with vegetables and spices. Ararat is open seven days a week and accepts reservations for private functions. Capacity is 35 to 40 guests.
Restaurant Ararat
364 Townline Road
Mundelein, IL 60060
847-566-9755
restaurantararat.com
Tags: Sayat Nova, days week, Ohio Street, open seven, open seven days, Restaurant Ararat, Restaurant Naha