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    Categories: 2021

Food: Reinterpreting Armenian Tradition

Argentina – June 3 2021
By: MIGUEL CABRERA

 Armenia  is a mythical country that surprises visitors at first glance, harmoniously combining past and present. It has a rich history of legends and myths such as Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat. Armenians, one of the oldest peoples in the world, have an original and rich culture that has developed over the centuries. They have managed to preserve their unique history and safeguard their ancestral traditions while integrating them into the modern way of life.


Therefore, when referring to Armenian cuisine of these times, we could say that it has in itself two  “cultures”  linked to the geographical distribution of the Armenian people. On the one hand, there is the cuisine of the present-day Republic of Armenia. On the other hand, there is what was generated after the Armenian diaspora in Europe, America and the Middle East after the genocide committed by the Turkish State from 1915 to 1917.

Although the two cultures inhabit relatively different geographies, their kitchen has common foundations, and above all their identity. An identity that is based on the richness of seasonal products. In the excellence of fresh aromatic herbs placed in each dish (chives, parsley, dill, mint), nuts and oriental species that perfume dishes, those fresh cheeses spread on traditional Armenian bread (an unleavened bread).

Eating can bring happiness: if it's not for you, it's for your stomach. At Restaurant Armenia, everyone – vegetarians and omnivores – will find dishes that meet their needs. In the spirit of its people, here the food is made with love, which makes traditional Armenian dishes even tastier.

Restaurant Armenia is an unsurpassed place of its kind in our country, which provides an exodus for the senses of the diner, a space where the palate experiences unique sensations. Following the tradition of the Armenian people, this establishment located in the Palermo neighborhood, in Buenos Aires City, prepares its food with the best raw materials and only with products that do not alter the history behind each dish. That's why sitting there, clearly, is a trip to that region of the Caucasus. The place offers unique creations following the ancient traditional recipes, transmitted to this day from generation to generation, from family to family.

This ethnic restaurant proposes to make a journey through one of the oldest culinary arts in the world. Since opening its doors in 1984, on the first floor of the Armenian Cultural Association, he impressed by the spacious living room with oak panels on its walls and luminaires that create a pleasant and serene climate.

Typical Armenian food takes place around a table where all the dishes are presented simultaneously, so in the restaurant they put together a menu, for those who want to know the flavors of their food, which is called Yerevan (the capital of Armenia) it consists of three dishes at the choice of entrance, a main course, dessert, paired with three types of wines to choose and the golden brooch the oriental coffee.

From Ser Argentino we make the following recommendation for the tickets:  Bastermá , which is an oriental cold made from smoked meat, cured in salt, smeared with oriental spices and chemen (an emblematic Armenian seasoning whose main ingredient is fenugreek);  falafel  are fried chickpeas canapes seasoned with oriental and seasoned spices, parsley, garlic and tahin (a sesame paste); next to that the must-see of the Armenian entrance is  yayik,  which is a whole-milk yogurt liquid with cucumbers, salt, garlic and dried mint leaves. At the time of the main course suggestions are complicated, but this dish will arouse indescribable sensations in your mouth we talk about  manté . They are oriental ravioli type barquitos stuffed with minced meat and broth we recommend you accompany them with  madzun  the classic Armenian yogurt. If your thing goes through the meat then you should order the khorovadz. In Armenia is what you will find in all the gastronomic venues. They are grilled skewers, mainly beef, but also chicken or lamb.

Desserts are a delight and it would be impossible to choose one. Most bathed in homemade syrup, stuffed with cinnamon, walnut and cloves, made mostly with row dough – this is an extrafine, almost transparent dough that to make it you need only flour, water and patience. At Restaurant Armenia, they ensure that the texture of the row dough is true to the original, for this is essential the quality contribution of the flour, for which a special grinding is commissioned that is allowed to park for an important period of time.

And if something was missing, for the diner to feel like he is in Armenia, for a while now the reading of the coffee erase and an Armenian show on weekends has been added. In this way the gastronomy, visual, auditory and participatory experience is completed with dancing and a bit of history. One of the keys to the success of this restaurant.

 Address:  Armenia 1366 Primer Piso

Albert Nalbandian: