Top 10 Places to Eat in Little Armenia

Although it was an arduous task (big grin), we finally finished compiling a list of what we think are the best (Armenian) places to eat in Little Armenia of Hollywood. It took several long months of research, and an extra handle around the waistline, to put together what we believe is a very respectable list. Oh the sacrifices we make for our loyal visitors! Now, please keep in mind that we are not professional food critics. But, we love to eat as much as the next Armenian and that’s saying a lot! In fact, we have been often told “beranit hameh gides.” To translate, please find an Armenian friend. Ok, without much further adieu, we bring you The List. And, by the way, we’re not getting paid by any of these establishments in case there are any thoughts of politics involved with the selection process.

Category ratings scale: 10 being the highest possible score, 1 being the lowest

In alphabetical order…

Arax Falafel 
This little hole in the wall in a strip mall is touted by most Lebanese Armenians as having the best falafel this side of Beirut. Seating is limited here, so don’t be surprised if you end-up eating in your car.

-food…8 (chicken/beef/falafel)
-service…7 (friendly but slow)
-ambience…5
-price…8 ($4-8)


Bravo Pizza and Subs 
When we want a great sandwich in Little Armenia, Bravo Pizza and Subs is the ONLY place we go. They might have created Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches in Philadelphia, but we think these guys have perfected it. We also recommend their chicken sandwich.

-food…8 (pizza/subs)
-service..7 (fast)
-ambience…6
-price…8 ($5-10)


Carousel 
Serving popular Armenian and Lebanese dishes for decades, you can’t go wrong with lunch or dinner at Carousel. If you are catering your own party, definitely order their hummus, tabouleh, baba ganoush, and rice pilaf to go.

-food…8 (beef/chicken/more)
-service…6 (slow)
-ambience…6
-price…8 ($3-12)


Golden Fish 
If you want to know what it’s like to eat in Armenia, your best bet is Golden Fish on Hollywood Boulevard. Beside the main storefront, which is a deli counter, is a small patio where you can sit and order all sorts of meat kebobs and fish dishes. The food is so good that Armenians in the know cater their parties with their assorted kebobs of chicken, beef, and pork.

-food…7 (meat/fish/kebobs)
-service…7 (friendly but slow)
-ambience…6
-price…7 ($6-10)


Paros 
Paros serves-up some great rotisserie style chicken and various kebob plates. They also have gyros for the Greek Armenians. This small eatery is attached to Jons Market on Santa Monica Blvd.

-food…7 (chicken/beef/gyros)
-service…8 (friendly but slow)
-ambience…5
-price…8 ($4-8)


Marouch 
Hands down the most romantic and classy restaurant in Little Armenia is Marouch. The husband and wife team of Serge (Lebanese) and Sossi (Armenian) have created one of the most enjoyable places to spend an evening with that special someone.

-food…9 (beef/chicken/more)
-service…8 (fast)
-ambience…9
-price…7 ($7-15)


Lory 
Looking for healthy fast food served Armenian style? This is the place for you and your Vegetarian friends. This little hole in the wall serves kebobs, rice, tabouleh, hummus, salads and many other Middle Eastern favorites a la carte. One of the cleanest eateries we have ever been to.

-food…7 (kebobs, rice, salad)
-service..8 (fast)
-ambience…7
-price…8 ($4-7)


Sahag’s Basturma 
A perennial favorite in Armenian households, this deli serves the best basturma in all of Los Angeles. Other popular items include soujouk (Armenian sausage) and ma’aneh (Lebanese sausage).

-food…8 (beef)
-service…8 (friendly and fast)
-ambience…4
-price…8 ($4-9)


Sasoun Bakery 
If you have never tried what we call lahmejune (aka Armenian Pizza), this would be the place to experience your first. They also have a tasty date cookie, which is a great little snack. There’s only metered street parking for this place, so expect to spend a little extra time driving around.

-food…9 (lahmejune, date cookies)
-service…8 (fast)
-ambience…5
-price…9 ($2-5)


Zankou Chicken 
One of the most popular fast-food joints in all of Los Angeles, the original Zankou Chicken, owned and operated by an Armenian family from Lebanon, is located in the heart of Little Armenia. This place serves unforgettable crispy rotisserie chicken with a powerful garlic paste that will make your taste buds explode. Other honorable mentions include the beef and chicken shawerma sandwiches.

-food…9 (chicken/beef/falafel)
-service…8 (friendly and fast)
-ambience…6
-price…8 ($4-10)


It was not possible for us to visit every single Armenian eatery in Little Armenia. If you know of a restaurant in Little Armenia that we should consider for our next list, please send us an email.

Emil Kazaz – Exclusive Exhibit Video

Is the beauty of art subjective? There are countless opinions when it comes to this topic. But, whatever the popular consensus to this question, we think that there is one man whose art transcends conventional wisdom when it comes to beauty.

His name, Emil Kazaz.

Unlike any artwork we have ever seen, Emil’s subjects are robustly striking, universally (and simultaneously) appealing and appalling, and unabashedly grotesque. And we wouldn’t want it any other way. His vision of the world is vastly unique, uncompromising, and incomparable. He is an original, a master. So much so, we speak his name in the same breath as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Michelangelo.

His recent exhibit in Los Angeles reaffirmed our feelings about the man and his work. A
few dozen frighteningly charming sculptures and painfully elaborate paintings consumed the minds of the hordes in attendance. The entire gallery was abuzz with electricity, as if we were all knowingly in the presence of eternal greatness, experiencing a special feeling for art that will be, indubitably, even more celebrated and appreciated by generations to come.

Although pictures cannot do justice for his work, we have an exclusive short video of his Los Angeles exhibit we would like to share with you. We hope that this video gives you a glimpse of this man’s brilliance.

Watch Exclusive Emil Kazaz Video

Tata Live in Yerevan, Armenia

There is no question that Tata Simonyan has taken the Armenian music industry by storm. One of the most popular performers to enter the Armenian music scene, his passionate performances and lively stage presence, not to mention his great voice, have endeared him to Armenian’s the world-over.

If you’ve never seen Tata perform, here’s your chance! Watch exclusive clips from Tata’s unforgettable concert in Yerevan, Armenia, available only on LittleArmenia.com! A special thank you to Parseghian Records for providing concert footage.

Watch Exclusive Clips!

Video Clip #1: Anapati Arev

Video Clip #2: Yerevani Tgherk