Upon the humble entrance, you’re immediately enveloped with the warmth of home, a feeling so few restaurants evoke upon the corporate sameness. Settling into a table, you’re instantly greeted by the chef/owner Ararat. His passion is contagious as even a devout cynic could leave this place an optimist. Starting with the tabouli, his specific way, is a refreshing opportunity to give into the herb friendly menu. Along with each dish, you’re granted a story or anecdote with this particular appetizer going against family recipes for the sake of balance. With my trust firmly secured, I found myself at the edge of my seat for what could be next.
He follows this refreshing starter with a beet carpaccio accompanied by goat cheese, pine nuts and the most enticing mint. As the plate is placed, I notice him pull a chair up. I found myself dining with the chef for a moment, chatting about life, love and lunch. He had this way of building familiarity through curiosity and even as a solo diner, I was eating with friends. How was the dish? I found it perfectly crunchy, creamy, and citrusy, a bright spot on the menu.
Suddenly a crisp, herbaceous cucumber cold soup accompanied by two phyllo pies, one spinach & the other cheese graces my table. The flaky, buttery pies balances the creamy cucumber soup perfectly. This palette cleanser was inspired by his desire to explore cold soups leaving me impressed with the level of experimentation this chef insists on.
What follows is a savory, juicy lamb/sirloin slider accentuated by the parsley mayo. The Armenians need to make more burgers. This was velvety, smoky, and really a stand out on this menu. This is one of the first burgers I’ve ever had that didn’t need the assist from cheese.
Delight overcomes me to see a beef stroganoff hit my table as it is a personal favorite. I’m taken aback as this is a variation I’ve yet to have – the mouthwatering gravy is paired with the most delicate orange mashed potatoes. That citrus mash lightens the entire dish taking away the sluggish density most stroganoffs suffer from.
Now, from this point there would be an exquisite Armenian Plate for most guest. I, however, tapped out as my stretchy pants were to their limit, and I still had to waddle home. From peering onto other’s plates, I noticed grilled pork, chicken, and a Lulu kebab surrounded by fluffy rice, grilled peppers and onions. To finish off the platter, stuffed grape leaves are stacked in the center. The smiles on the diners faces as they dived into this dish confirms my return to try it.
Capacity reached or not, dessert is always a must. With four separate offerings, there’s genuinely something for everyone. on this platter. His baklava is pared with a silky ice cream. The orange cake is fluffy and not too sweet. The espresso creme brûlée is creamy and plays into bitterness in an approachable way. However, the real star of the plate is that flourless chocolate torte with the pineapple, jalapeño granita. What a funky combination proving that old classics can be rejuvenated through creativity. I wouldn’t have thought of it but now it’s all I can think of.
The restaurant starts to pick up as I’m savoring dessert, and I can’t help but gush at the unwavering service of Chef Ararat. There isn’t a time where he doesn’t give each guest their opportunity to connect with him & his menu. The staff supports the ability to provide this service by being cross trained in various roles as to ensure no gaps in service.
Overall, the experience felt like being back in my Armenian grandmother’s kitchen watching the neighbors pass in & out if only to graze on her army sized meals and share a laugh with her. We were surrounded by community growing up, a gift bestowed by the daily menu – a gift I can feel mirrored by Chef Ararat’s Café Little Armenia.
The wildest part of this entire experience is the fact that the entire tasting menu is 29$. If I didn’t see it in print, I’d have thought I robbed the place.
Worth every penny, Little Armenia has a large following one dish at a time.
CAFÉ LITTLE ARMENIA IS LOCATED 1035 MANHATTAN AVE GREENPOINT BROOKLYN, 11222
THEIR HOURS ARE FROM 5:30PM-10:00PM TUESDAY-SUNDAY.
CHEF ARARAT WELCOMES CUSTOM DISHES UPON PRE-ORDER. HE IS PLEASED TO BE CREATIVE WITH YOU IF YOU ORDER IN ADVANCED.
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