"When I first walked into this place I knew I had “been here before”…it was my birthday and the Wizard behind this gem-Ararat not only whisked the menus away, but curated a special birthday menu for me! We were so touched, the last to leave, as we enjoyed a mouth watering 7 course dining experience paired with high-end Armenian wines at a fraction of the price. It’s is a Vortex where old & new friends meet again, to check-in with stories and giggles and promise to see each other again soon. So much so we now make each occasion a special one and request our favorite table to feel at home again. The chef’s creative menu with flavors that burst in your mouth, farm to table, in season and authentic from his grandma’s generational recipes that you feel her there and know it’s a special gift passed on from this authentic Armenian kitchen. I don’t think I have experienced a place like this before, the kitsch decor & Wall of Fame have much revered stories that go with them… if you’re lucky enough to experience the hot ❤️‍🔥 Belly Dancer Yasmin, please don’t hesitate to call & request her ahead of time! ….sssh don’t tell too many people, I still manage to get a spot, for now…"

"One of the best experiences we’ve had in New York! Let’s start with the food — it was absolutely amazing and delicious. But the real highlight of this place is its owner, Ararat. He was incredibly welcoming, funny, and kind to our group. He also shared the story behind his restaurant, which made the whole experience even more special. Highly recommend this place — not just for the food, but for the warm hospitality."

"Very interesting and unique cafe/restaurant that offers a very intimate experience. Chef Ararat is a talented chef, host, waiter, story teller, etc. 🇦🇲this place is not just for dining : it’s an experience of its own and you must visit to see it for yourself. 🇦🇲Every dish he makes and serves has a story, 🇦🇲when you come- don’t expect a quick serve, expect conversation, intimacy with the person you’re with, the atmosphere in the air, between the chef, waiter, etc…so much life in this place."

"This is truly a very special cafe and a great place to have a long dinner or lunch. The host is also the chef and makes time to tell you about his dishes and make you feel at home. He also gave us free wine to pair with our dessert and a couple side courses just because. The flavors are super unique and you can tell that the food is thoughtfully made, with hints of cardamom in the spanakopita and potatoes with orange zest. Also the price is great with the full meal being $27. In some ways it felt like having a great home cooked meal and we stayed for several hours with no pressure to leave. Highly recommend this spot."

"Chef Arat is a national treasure. As tempted as I am to keep this place to myself, they are too deserving of all the business coming their way. The wine selection is thoughtfully curated featuring Armenian and local wines. I asked for a soda and he sent the busboy to the deli to get the exact soda I wanted. A meal here is an EXPERIENCE. Chef himself said, THIS should be the night’s plan. We were there for 3 hours, had at least 10 plates brought out to us of everything he wanted to make that day. 3 hours felt like nothing as we were having the best, laid back time. Everything was delicious. Lastly, it was SO affordable for what we experienced and ate. Well under $50 per person which allowed us to tip what they deserved."