Almayass, which means "when hanging leaves dance to the rhythm of a delicate breeze." Opened four years ago it is the ONLY Armenian restaurant in New York City, fortunately it is a terrific restaurant in every way. Armenian cuisine . . . think Mediterranean meets the Middle-East. Many of the food creations I had never tried before creating original and new taste sensations which I found original and delicious. The setting is handsome with a contemporary flare. Located in Manhattan's Flat Iron district.

The dips/spreads each unique from each other in taste and texture, but found all delicious.  I especially enjoyed the Moutabbal, Hummus with Poegrante seed, and Mouhammara.

Fattoush - a salad of tomato, fresh mint, purslone, cucumber, radish, sumac, parsley, lemon, olive oil, with fried pita bread. The taste fresh, bracing, and enjoyed the texture, the crunch brought on by the pita bread.

Soujuk Almayass - Armenian sausage canape topped with fried quail eggs. Unusual dish, original, I found it crazy good.

Shant Alexandrian is the owner of Almayass. His wife Rita designed the restaurant, and his son in law, Mario is the General Manager. Shant grew up in Lebanon where his parents fled during the 1915 purge. The original Almayass is in Beirut, other restaurant locations include Kuwait and Riyahd. 

Mantee Traditional - oven baked boat shaped ravioli filled with seasoned fresh ground beef served with fresh garlic walnut, red pepper paste and pomegrant molasses. 

Almayass's interior has some stunning contemporary art painting and sculpture.

Sweet and Sour Kebab - this dish is a mind blower! A grilled beef kabab with cherries on top. Sounds weird, but one of the most memorable dishes I have had anywhere in New York.

Armenian Language lesson - "Hello" (Barev)  "Thank you" (Merci)  "Delicious" (Hamov)

Interesting fact about Armenia - The Armenian Diaspora is significant with 10.5 million Armenians living around the world. Largest population centers are the countries of Russia, Lebanon and France. USA has a significant concentration also, especially in Los Angeles and specifically the town of Glendale.  The population of the country of Armenia is 3 million.

Address - 24 East 21st Street  (Manhattan)  (212) 473 - 3100