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Archive for Armenian Cuisine

Quick Eats – Mantee Cafe

Oct31

Restaurant: Mantee Cafe

Location: 10962 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. (818) 761-6565

Date: March 18, 2023

Cuisine: Lebanese & Armenian Cuisine

Rating: very tasty

_

A quick meal with my lady.
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Mantee Café, a family owned and operated charming café boasts a tranquil backyard garden, with an intimate atmosphere and the full comfort to enjoy our delicious selection of Mediterranean style home cooked dishes and sweets.
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Front inside dining room.
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Covered patio in the rear.
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The lovely outside patio.
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The menu.
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Two types of bread. Pita and a crispy thin papadum-like flat bread.
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Sesame oil with sesame seeds and a bit of lemon.
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ARMENIAN SALAD. Fine chopped tomato, cucumber & romaine lettuce with fresh lemon & organic balsamic dressing. A great salad with a very strong and bright vinaigrette. It was strong enough that I didn’t even mind the tomatoes.
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HUMMOS PINE NUTS. Chick peas blended with sesame paste, fresh lemon & garlic. Topped with pan grilled pine nut.
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MOTABAL. Charbroiled eggplant mashed with sesame paste, fresh lemon & garlic. Very nice version with some brightness, great texture, and a very fresh taste.
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LABNE TOOM. Yogurt dip blended with fresh garlic, dry mint & extra virgin olive oil. I always love labne.
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KEBBE NAYE. Seasoned fresh tartar meat mixed with crushed wheat, served with chopped onion and parsley. Really nice fresh raw meat, super soft and succulent, with an interesting blend in the form of the onion/parsley “salad.” Great enjoyed with labne too.
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BRANZINO. Charbroiled whole fresh Branzino, head/tail on or off served with cube Idaho potatoes.
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KAFTA KEBAB. Charbroiled seasoned ground beef mixed with onion & parsley. Served with our delectable vermicelli rice pilaf, grilled tomatoes & Anaheim pepper. The Kafta was good, but there wasn’t much of it. It was fairly mildly seasoned but very fresh. I liked the ppper too. I nibbled at the rice (due to keto) and I would have enjoyed it if I could.
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TOOM. Gotta have this garlic, lemon, oil paste — so good!

Overall, nice kitchen with great tasting food.

For more LA dining reviews click here.

Related posts:

  1. Quick Eats – Pho Cafe
  2. Quick Eats: Sunnin
  3. Quick Eats: Caffe Delfini
  4. Quick Eats: Kreation Kafe
  5. Quick Eats: Panini at Home
By: agavin
Comments (0)
Posted in: Food
Tagged as: Armenian Cuisine, Date Night, kabob, Mantee Cafe, Salad

Armenian Sunday

Apr27

On the night of the Game of Thrones premier (4/24/16), I went off with some friends to Studio City for a BBQ — little did I know I’d be in for one amazing Armenian feast!

 From my cellar: 2013 Christophe et Fils Petit Chablis. 90 points. Ripping acidity and precision for this level. Should age beautifully for years but it’s a treat now. Wish I’d bought more.

Cheese. Close to feta, yummy and salty.

Raw beef. One of two preps, this one without the bulgur wheat, but with lots of garlic!

Raw beef. The traditional raw beef and olive oil version. One of the best I’ve had with great texture and freshness.

Pulled pork. This slightly “off theme” dish showcased delicious pulled pork on wontons with “spicy” mayo.

In case you didn’t get to see the pork close enough.

Cheesy noodle pastry. Noodle and soft cheese on the inside, crispy dough on the outside. Delicious!

From my cellar: 2005 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Château de Fonsalette Reserve. 93 points. Medium red. Spicy cherry and blackcurrant on the nose, with deeper licorice and tobacco adding power. Fresher red berry flavors show impressive minerality. Finishes with silky tannins, gentle grip and an echo of sweet red berries. This has very good balance and focus.

Lula Kebob. Special family recipe. Waiting to be fired.

Filet mignon Kebob.

Chicken.

Cooked, the chicken and Lula.

And the beef too.

Fattoush salad. Bright acidity to balance the meat.

Crispy potatoes. Perfectly crunchy on the outside!

Bacon mac & cheese. Might not be Armenian, but was awesome.

Berry “cake.” Graham crackers, custard, and berries!
 Olive oil cake.

Overall one hell of a BBQ!

Related posts:

  1. Eastern Promises – BBQ Joint
  2. Park’s Finest BBQ
  3. Deep South – Mandovi Goan Cuisine
By: agavin
Comments (1)
Posted in: Food
Tagged as: Armenian Cuisine, kebob, raw beef
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