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April 15 2012
Zagat: Lebanese-Armenian Chain Almayass Wants Diners To Enjoy "Sharing Food"
By: James Mulcahy
This week's video tour brings Zagat editor James Mulcahy to the
Flatiron District, where he is checking out Almayass. Alidz and Varak
Alexandrian, the brother and sister duo who own the eatery, also have
locations in far flung locales like Lebanon and Kuwait.
This New York outpost is one of the first restaurants to bring
Lebanese-Armenian cuisine to the Big Apple. Here's what they had to
say about their new spot:
Alidz Alexandrian: "My mom decorated everything, from A to Z. The
decor and the art represents our culture, which is Lebanese Armenian.
My mom's aim was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. As people
walk into the restaurant, they will see the hanging, artisanal glass
pieces, which were designed by my mom. They were handmade in Lebanon.
Those pieces you can see in all of our other restaurants. The tableau
in the dining room is a day in Yerevan, a story in Yerevan. Yerevan is
the capital of Armenia.
We also have a special Lebanese liquor, Arak, which we mix with water.
It turns white, you add ice, it's a little bit strong but very
delicious.
Varak Alexandrian: "'There is no sincerer love than love of food' -
Bernard Shaw. That's our motto and it's a true love. Lebanese food is
usually a sharing food. Friends come and sit together and they have
dinner and share their food and enjoy their time and the atmosphere.
One of my favorite dishes is the mantee, which is an Armenian
specialty. It's a small, boat-shaped pasta topped with garlic yogurt
and sumac. There are a lot of Italian restaurants, a lot of French
restaurants, but as far as Lebanese-Armenian restaurants, we are one
of the first ones. We're really excited to see how the people react,
and like our atmosphere, service and food."
For more information about Almayass and other new restaurants, visit
blog.zagat.com.
April 15 2012
Zagat: Lebanese-Armenian Chain Almayass Wants Diners To Enjoy "Sharing Food"
By: James Mulcahy
This week's video tour brings Zagat editor James Mulcahy to the
Flatiron District, where he is checking out Almayass. Alidz and Varak
Alexandrian, the brother and sister duo who own the eatery, also have
locations in far flung locales like Lebanon and Kuwait.
This New York outpost is one of the first restaurants to bring
Lebanese-Armenian cuisine to the Big Apple. Here's what they had to
say about their new spot:
Alidz Alexandrian: "My mom decorated everything, from A to Z. The
decor and the art represents our culture, which is Lebanese Armenian.
My mom's aim was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. As people
walk into the restaurant, they will see the hanging, artisanal glass
pieces, which were designed by my mom. They were handmade in Lebanon.
Those pieces you can see in all of our other restaurants. The tableau
in the dining room is a day in Yerevan, a story in Yerevan. Yerevan is
the capital of Armenia.
We also have a special Lebanese liquor, Arak, which we mix with water.
It turns white, you add ice, it's a little bit strong but very
delicious.
Varak Alexandrian: "'There is no sincerer love than love of food' -
Bernard Shaw. That's our motto and it's a true love. Lebanese food is
usually a sharing food. Friends come and sit together and they have
dinner and share their food and enjoy their time and the atmosphere.
One of my favorite dishes is the mantee, which is an Armenian
specialty. It's a small, boat-shaped pasta topped with garlic yogurt
and sumac. There are a lot of Italian restaurants, a lot of French
restaurants, but as far as Lebanese-Armenian restaurants, we are one
of the first ones. We're really excited to see how the people react,
and like our atmosphere, service and food."
For more information about Almayass and other new restaurants, visit
blog.zagat.com.