Sayat Nova East Armenian

Sayat Nova consistently has great Middle Eastern (Armenian) food. I have never had anything from there that I did not like. In particular, their grape leaves and tabbouleh are wonderful. more

THIS IS NOT AN ARMENIAN EATERY Cons: THIS IS NOT AN ARMENIAN PLACE more

My family has been coming here for decades...for reasonably priced, highly authentic Armenian/Middle Eastern food, there is nothing better. It's almost like retreating into a private sanctuary when you duck off of Michigan Ave to eat here. Everything is fresh and delicious and I especially recommend the spinach pies and lentil soup. Yes, there are other Middle Eastern offerings in Chicago but none so convenient, authentic and well-priced. Pros: All aspects of this authentic Armenian restaurant Cons: I wish they were open later! more

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place on a saturday night. We started with the Armenian style thin crust pizza, which was suprisingly mediocre, as it came out more like a lamb filled quesadilla than a pizza. However, the rest of our meal was tasty and unique. The spinach and cheese boereg (spinach and cheese wrapped in a flaky phyllo crust) paved the way for our delicious entrees. My boyfriend loved his lamb couscous, and my scallops were cooked perfectly in a light, tomato sauce served with fresh vegetables and rice pilaf. The ambience was relaxed and casual, a nice european style alternative to the crazy, chaotic rush of many restaurants surrounding Michigan Avenue. Bottom line- If you want a 2 hour wait and a headache, go to Grand Lux or Bandera, but if you want a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere, go to Sayat Nova. Pros: Ambience more

My husband I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Sayat Nova on a Sunday evening. The decor is beautiful and I really liked the curved booth where we were seated. The food was great as well -- we started with the lebneh, which was creamy and tangy; delicious! For dinner, I had the Armenian Sampler (suffed grape leaves, phyllo-wrapped cheese, meatball, and eggplant with lamb); everything was perfectly seasoned; very very good. My husband got the kebab sampler which came with some of the best rice I have ever had; each of the kebabs had a different texture and flavor, which was great. The only downsides -- we were the only ones there, they were a little stingy with the pita bread, the music (French, interestingly) was a little loud, and the ladies restroom smelled like sewer. We would definitely go back, but maybe with more people so that we don't feel so lonely while eating such yummy food! more

i've been to sayat once, and for me, once was enough. that's not to say sayat is a terrible place to eat.... more

i've been to sayat once, and for me, once was enough. that's not to say sayat is a terrible place to eat. the food was average (nothing to get work... more

Terrible customer service. If you are looking for frustration, I recommend going to this restaurant. If you are looking for a nice relaxing dinner, go anywhere else in the neighborhood. Cons: Service, Food, Ambience more

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind place that's different from the normal Michigan Ave fair, this is it. The kabobs were flavorful and tender, and the stuffed grape leaves were wonderful! The atmosphere is cozy and private and the staff are unobtrusive. I've taken many different people here and they always find something good on the menu. Pros: Not a chain, Convenient Location, Atmosphere more

I ordered the lamb kababs. The lamb was gamey, and the rice tasted just like the boxed kind at the store. The mezza was paltry. The hummus was bland, as was the babaganoush. Not enough bread. Service was sort of friendly, but I had the feeling they couldn't have cared less if I was there. I tried really hard to be friendly, which was always met with a smile, but reserved. That's fine, but we had to keep asking for more water. Pros: Nice atmosphere more

This little restaurant a welcome retreat from the bustling shops and restaurants on Michigan Avenue. The dining room is small, but tables are comfortably spaced and the service is friendly and prompt. It's a great, casual little place for dinner after shopping or a movie. The appetizers are wonderful--tangy cheese and spinach pies, little dumplings bursting with flavor. The lamb kabobs are some of the most tender and flavorful I have ever tried. Pros: Excellent food Cons: Off the beaten path more