STARTERS: SAYAT NOVA IN HACKENSACK
By Erica Dietsche, Staff Writer, North Jersey Media Group

The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
February 16, 2007 Friday
All Editions

Starters is a first look at recently opened restaurants. It is meant
to be a descriptive glimpse, not a critical review, of interesting
new venues.

Named for an 18th-century Armenian composer, Sayat Nova is a restaurant
and nightclub devoted to the food and music of the Mediterranean.

Under the direction of executive chef Victor Zero, a graduate of the
Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, it produces classic
Middle Eastern staples such as falafel, shish kebab and baba ghanouj.

The restaurant also offers many seafood selections, a specialty of
Zero’s, although Middle Easterners, he said, "are not big on fish."

Zero and owner Shahe Hagopian have been friends for almost two decades;
in fact, their families in Armenia are friendly as well.

Relatives of both also work at the restaurant, adding to what Zero
described as the restaurant’s "family feel."

"We want people to feel like they are coming to their family’s house
for dinner," Zero said. He says that it is common for the kitchen to
hand out samples, especially on Saturdays.

Sayat Nova is Hagopian’s second restaurant; he owned a restaurant in
Massachusetts before moving in July to Elmwood Park, where he owns
a limousine business. He also has worked as an agent for Armenian
stars. Zero, a lifelong Hackensack resident, has worked in the
restaurant industry on and off since he was a dishwasher at age 12.

Both are especially proud of dishes like shish kebab ($17.95) that
use filet mignon instead of a more inexpensive cut of beef. The
eight-piece jumbo Gulf shrimp platter ($28.95) also is popular,
as is the seafood combo ($26.95), with South African lobster tail,
jumbo Gulf shrimp and scallops. Lunches include shrimp scampi and
tilapia ($8.95) and mashed potatoes and vegetables or salad.

The 18-table BYO is in the former location of Cafe Apolo, but the
entire interior has been renovated. The restaurant transforms into
a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights. Jack Hagopian, the nephew
of the owner, is the DJ at 9:30 p.m., and the Gomidas International
Band, which performs in seven languages, plays from 10 p.m. until 2:30
a.m. A belly dancer also performs both nights, and valet parking is
available. On Friday, there is a $35 minimum per person; Saturday,
there is a $40 minimum.

Sayat Nova is at 91 Main St., Hackensack; 201-880-9434. Hours: 11
a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday
and Saturday, open Sunday for private parties only. Credit cards:
AE, D, MC, V.

To suggest a restaurant for Starters, contact Food Editor Bill
Pitcher at The Record, 150 River St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 or e-mail
pitcher@northjersey.com.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress