Sayat Nova Restaurant
“The falafel was delightful as we'll.”
“The restaurant does have a 10 dollar minimum credit card charge; but they let me charge just my 8 dollar lunch without much hassle.”
“Their Armenian salad and tabuleh (spelling?)”
Sayat Nova Restaurant
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
3 reviews
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If there's one thing I can't stand, it is injustice. Despite all the naysayers and skeptics out there (keep barking at the moon, morons!) yelp is a great leveler. An honest business needs to focus on one thing alone: customer satisfaction – and the good word will get out there.
The number of Armenian restaurants in the Tri-state area can be counted on one hand. So, it bothered me no end to read a review for Sayat Nova a few weeks back that was so over-the-top in its criticism of the restaurant that it reeked of foul play.
It wasn't an auspicious beginning. I walked into an empty restaurant at 2:30 pm, and there wasn't even anyone to greet me. I waited and shouted hello for a while, but to no avail. As I looked around, I saw the telephone, and so decided to call up the restaurant to get someone to pick up the ringing phone and usher me in. Seeing the empty restaurant, I thought that cramming people on top of each other, as the criticism went, would be the least of the restaurant's problems!
Ultimately someone came to pick up the phone and sheepishly beckoned me inside. I asked for the dinner menu instead to sample some of the Armenian options that weren't part of the budget friendly lunch menu. The lady was curious as to how I knew of the popular Sujok (ground beef mixed with garlic, herbs, and spices), and then explained that their roots were of Armenian settlers in Syria. The Mediterranean menu is thus reflective of a strong Turkish influence (evident from dishes like Adana Kebab, Iskender Kebab etc.), given the geopolitical history of the region.
I was offered a complimentary, creamy Hummus with warm pita bread, getting all the basics right. But, in ordering two appetizers (as opposed to 1 app and 1 entrée) I hadn't counted on their generous serving size, and struggled to polish off the plates. The Kibbeh balls (ground beef and cracked wheat filled with seasoned meat, then fried) had some of the best texture I've sampled, while the Toshka beef (ground sirloin beef spread in pita bread with Syrian Cheese and then grilled over fire) was also tasteful. The highlight of the meal was the Kazandibi (Turkish for" bottom of the pot"): the cold, light, refreshing and delicious milk pudding that is artfully caramelized on one side. Sayat Nova's version was more caramelized, and served with whipped cream and chocolate syrup was more like a European pastry, compared to the rectangular rolls I've eaten at Turkish establishments.
While I can't vouch whether the poet-songwriter-monk Sayat Nova would laud their evening entertainment or hookah lounge, and might concede that the price points of entrees are on the higher side – clearly their food quality and personal attention in service are both top notch. I would definitely stop by here were I hankering for a Mediterranean experience.
I was stuck running errand in the Hackensack area and saw this restaurant. The restaurant caught my eye but the nice girl Anna was outside handing out flyers. I stopped and said hello to Anna to see what the flyer had – at that time she pointed out an 8 dollar lunch special. I stepped inside to an apparently near empty restaurant and Anna seated me.
The restaurant has a warm feeling with a stage for weekend entertainment. I didn't stay long as this was w running lunch for me but I did order the Lamb Gyro. The food was delicious.
I think the restaurant may be family owned and operated as it seemed to me that the staff would disappear for long periods (perhaps watching TV or to an adjacent living area. Either way service was fine and the food was good.
The restaurant does have a 10 dollar minimum credit card charge; but they let me charge just my 8 dollar lunch without much hassle. I hope to bring a large group here sometime for the weekend fun!
Hummus is great and has lasted me almost a week. The falafel was delightful as we'll. A little pricey but large portions. I got take out but would come back to dine in for dinner as it's convenient. The place was pretty deserted. One customer (I think there were two total) was smoking hookah which smelled pretty good. Definitely becoming a staple in my diet.