Ararat Middle East Restaurant

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111 E Northloop Blvd
Austin, TX 78751

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(512) 419-1692
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Reviews
( 17 )
( 10 )
( 9 )
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( 19 )

Best

AFTER LEARNING THAT ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTARAUNTS WAS CLOSING,I HAD TO GO AND HAVE THE LAMB ONE MORE TIME. THE DINNER ITSELF WAS A LITTLE CHAOTIC AT FIRST (OF COURSE ITS UNDERS...

Worst

I have been twice and I will probably not return. Overall the food is tasty and quite healthy fare. But my biggest complaint is the waitstaff. I like a BYOB policy and don't m...

Conflicting experience 4/10/2006

I was invited to a dinner party here.The food,entertainment,and our waiter were good.We had a nice time except for one issue which defines my opinion of the place-a rude owner.The owner presented the bill herself, charging $27pp.The staff told us $25 all inclusive. Her response-She was the owner,they were expecting more people in our party, and that's the way it is.Then she sternly informed us that we needed to move elsewhere due to table scheduling.To scold and treat customers who were invitees and not aware of the arrangement made or the service to expect was unbelievable. If the owners of Katz,Juan in a Million,Opal D,Tree House,etc. can personally stop by & make you feel sincerly welcome (which I have experienced), then she should either work on her PR or keep well away from those who patronize her business.I for one will take my $25 + $2 ""pissy charge"" elsewhere. Pros: Unique Cons: Owner, Parking, Value more
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User review by laziz 3/26/2006

After we were seated, corkscrew was unceremoniously dropped at us with a wave. Our server was nice but harried. We ordered 'family style' for the whole table. The appetizer portions seemed small for the number of people. Entrees were excellent and managed to fill everyone up. The lamb is the best I've had in Austin, and the chicken was great. The deserts were okay, but one plateful of good-but-not-great artfully arranged baclava seemed stingy. Someone had to ask our server for the coffees (included), after she had dropped off the check, and she pushed hard for us to not order the turkish; we ended up with 'arabic' which was some sort drip blend w/ cardamom in it-- tasty, but not quite what we were hoping for. Short Version: Food: Great Service: Fair to irritating Belly dancer: bwahahahahaaha, but fun anyway. Honestly, I expected a better experience for $25pp prix fixe. Pros: food Cons: service, amateur belly dancers more
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Good, but not great 3/11/2006

We went to Ararat on a Saturday night. Reservations are a definite must. The place is interesting, very different and has lots of potential. The service was OK, not great, but certainly not nearly as bad as some of the previous reviews would leave you to believe. The food was good to very good, but not great. The mixed appetizer platter was very good as was the lamb. The appetizer was served quickly, the entrees took nearly an hour. The entertainment was mediocre...belly dancers were amateurs at best. And....please, get a new sound system outside. It is almost painful. Despite the problems, we will go back. Pros: different, interesting food Cons: mixed bag service, slow more
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Ararat: Food is Good, but not the Service 3/4/2006

I have been twice and I will probably not return. Overall the food is tasty and quite healthy fare. But my biggest complaint is the waitstaff. I like a BYOB policy and don't mind being charged a corking fee. However, I expect the waitstaff to uncork the first bottle of wine if charged a corking fee. Our waitress also overcharged us on the corking fee, but she did correct it after I called her on it. She then turned around and failed to bring back correct change and it was a significant amount of change. In general, the waitstaff leaves much to be desired. On the first visit, our waitress and her colleagues were discussing her new shaved head look literally for five minutes before she even acknowledged our presence. I thought it a onetime experience, but now see a pattern. Too bad--the food and joint are cozy. Pros: Good Food, Fair Prices Cons: Waitstaff more
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Great Ambiance 2/27/2006

The ambiance and service was great here. Unfortunately, the food was below average. I really enjoyed my sizzling beef & bulgar, but my mom had Tikka Chicken which the staff just raved about. It was nothing special at all, just a dry piece of chicken without much flavor. Maybe the staff ate all the good ones up. Her dish also came with sag paneer (spinach---thought this was an Indian dish?). Again, disappointing, very runny and not much flavor. Pita bread wasn't anything special either. I definitely recommend going for the atmosphere. Split an appetizer and the sizzling beef, then go elsewhere for dessert. Oh, also make reservations---the hostess turned away three people while we were sitting there. Pros: ambiance Cons: sub-par food more
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Turkish Delight 2/15/2006

I have been a regular Ararat customer for years and under the new ownership they just continue to improve. The food is amazing and the service I've always found to be very friendly. I usually order the sizzling lamb but my boyfriend gets the specials. He and I use this for our date nights but our friends booked the room next door for a birthday party recently and that was even more fun - there were belly dancers and family style food and we had the place to ourselves for what amounted to 25 dollars apiece. The service was great there, too. They recently raised the corking fee for the first time in ten years, but its still totally worth it. You can bring in as much beer and wine as you want and they provide the glasses, openers, and they even recycle it when you are leaving! Pros: Food, Service, Entertainment more
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Middle Eastern Haven 2/14/2006

I am Lebanese and grew up eating similar cuisine to what Ararat serves - although it seems as though they created a menu based on several different Mid East influences (fusion style). I went several months ago and since then have returned regularly. It is now my new favorite restaurant in Austin. The atmosphere is unique - as though you have walked into a Turkish den. The food is outstanding - refreshingly flavorful and consistent. The presentation is gorgeous. The wait staff is always lovely and informative to me and my family. They offer a B.Y.O.B. policy for $3/person - an unbeatable price. There is entertainment every night of the week - either bellydancing, live music or a spectacular thing called fire dancing. My favorite thing is that it is small and intimate. Reservations are strongly recommended but they will take them for any number of people at anytime. Pros: food, atmosphere, waitstaff more
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Still perfect... after all these years 2/14/2006

I have now been a regular customer for 8 years. This place only gets better... In addition to their well-rounded and delicious menu - they have now started serving nightly specials. The grilled lamb steak and feta mash potatoes were incredible. And, of course the sizzling beef, chicken or lamb still wins my heart. The combination of flavors on this platter are beyond perfect. And, they have started carrying angus beef - yum! If you are there when they offer falafel crusted sweet potatoes - you do not want to miss them! The service is still awesome. The cork fee at $3 per person is a great price... most places charge by the bottle. And - as always... they will actually take reservations for two people. Such a nice change of pace. I highly encourage everyone in Austin to check this place out. Pros: Amazing Food, Great Service, Unique Atmosphere Cons: there are, no cons... more
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Delicious Experience... too bad I won't return 2/10/2006

Did I miss the management change at this formerly legendary Austin spot??? While I love ARARAT's food, atmosphere, and MOST of the waitstaff, tonight our waitress almost ruined a special evening with a large group of friends. We were told in a quite condescending tone that we were required to spend a certain dollar amount per seated person (no problem, was our collective response). Yet at every contact, our waitress was rude, impatient, and disrepectful to her customers. I won't name names, but will let the owners know tomorrow that I before I return to their restaurant that I'll call to make certain a certain waitress isn't working. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Music Cons: Waitstaff, Waitstaff, Waitstaff more
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Great Takeout 2/3/2006

I second all the previous reviews - the food is terrific (when it's delivered in time) and the atmosphere is great (when the service is adequate.) I have found the service to be at best sub-par, and at worst - rude. I have solved all of these problems by ordering takeout from Ararat, bringing it home, uncorking my own wine for free, and enjoying a hot meal without the importuning ""entertainment"". Pros: great food, large portions, value Cons: lousy service, begging belly dancers, little parking more
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All good things DO come to an end . . . 1/23/2006

which Ararat has proven to me more than once. Having been an Ararat customer for 8 years, it pains me to say I wont be back. Here are the highlights, or lowlights, of my final Ararat evening. - We had to uncork our wine but were charged the uncorking fee - $10 minimum/person; family menu option which you can only order if everyone at your table does; 100% increased uncorking fee - Rude waitress: a. Brought us 4 pitas for 2 appetizers; had to wait 10min for more after 2 requests b. Ignored requests; continuously had to ask for extra silverware, water, to-go boxes c. Delivered barely warm dinners 50min after ordered; delivered 1 dinner 10min after others d. After making us wait 70min total, our waitress rudely said we needed to leave as another party had booked the table; WE HAD BEEN WAITING ON OUR CHECK FOR 5 MIN Pros: good food, belly dancing Cons: rude staff, crowded and small more
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It's just not the same 1/22/2006

Our food just wasn't as good as in the past, especially the lamb (was cold). We had 7 folks, they brought out one meal 10 minutes later. A few minutes after we had finished eating we were told they had a reservation for our table and that they needed us to leave. They hadn't even brought us the check, which was pointed out. No time for desert. I will not go back, which is sad because I have had some good times here. Pros: location, atmosphere, belly dancer Cons: rude service, slow service, food not as good more
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outstanding 7/29/2005

ararat is my husband's and my favorite place for all special occasion dinners! i love the byob policy and the food portions are gigantic!! try the appetizer sampler and the sizzling chicken. you wont be sorry! the atmosphere is cozy and unique. we just love it here! the waitstaff is definitely the dreadlock variety, but they know what to reccommend on the menu and they let you enjoy your meal in peace. Pros: price, byob, tasty food Cons: standoffish service, need reservations more
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Best Lamb and Worst Service 6/24/2005

Dear Reader, This middle eastern eatery has the best lamb and middle eastern food in Austin, but the worst service. First, you have to listen to some snotty slacker girlie on the phone denying you reservations.. When you arrive, the server is usually another slacker who is dressed up in some whitified middle eastern gettup. The inner room is interesting, rugs on the walls. If there is anything wrong with your order or you ask question, the staff acts as though you crapped in your pants, or maybe own stock in a company that is cutting down all the rain forests. Oh, one final plus, you can bring your own wine. If you can eat good middle eastern food in another large American city, avoid this place like the plague. My big fantasy is that someone will buy the place and fire all these brats. Frank :) Pros: lamb, bring own wine, location Cons: staff more
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waste of money 6/21/2005

rude service, how about their salty food ( may no one know how to use measuring cup), Please go ahead and spend your money for rude service and salty food. please go ahead and experance yourself.please please spend your money for what you want it.make reservations but they will kick you out .bad worse and worst place to dine. best place to insult your self with roomfull of other people. Pros: none Cons: service, food more
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Most Fun Eatery in Austin 6/19/2005

I have been here with groups of 8-15 people several times and it is always great. They don't mind if the bigger groups get a little rowdy. The food is very good, and if you dont like it, you wouldnt like this type of food made even by your mama. Its the most fun you can have with a big group and still keep your clothes on. Pros: Big group fun, food, funky Cons: too few tables, closed monday more
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Ararat is fabulous 6/16/2005

I eat at Ararat fairly regularly, I love it. If I go too long between visits, I start to go into sizzling lamb withdrawl. Appetizers are delicious and they always come out quick. The food is just to die for. If you want to have an extra special night I heartly recommend that you order family style. Trust your server! They have always treated us well. I just can't recommend it enough. And the belly dancing is spectacular. Pros: THE FOOD, turkish coffee, patio Cons: need weekend res. more
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Bad Attitude - don't eat at Ararat! 5/31/2005

It's one thing to stick up for your servers; it's completely another to directly insult your customers. Ararat's service crossed the line -- and truly ruined our evening. We were there to celebrate but spent the evening asking for our food (we waited over an hour - and saw other, later, tables served before us), the correct dishes (until we noticed, there was no mention when a half-empty entree was served), and the correct charges. We asked to speak to the manager to let her know we were unhappy with the service. Instead of listening, she angrily insulted us. How hard is it to say ""I'm sorry""? Instead, she told my mother, a woman well her senior, ""don't tell me what to do!"" when my mother asked to charge the bill so we could leave! They just want to take advantage of diners with their mock-ethnic experience - don't go! Pros: atmosphere Cons: poor service, rude owner, bad desserts more
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Great restaraunt great staff!!!!!! 5/24/2005

I have frequented ararat for a very long time. i love and respect the staff and food. the place has grown immensely in the last year, with seating in back yard in a beautifully decorated gazebo. its romantic, personal, fun and entertaining. in reading the comments before mine, i would have assumed not to go , but, NEVER have i had an experience like they pictured for you. i have witnessed extrememly rude behavior by customers , and unlike other places, i have heard them stick up for there staff. if this makes them a bad restaurant, then maybe you shouldn't go.Because they treat their servers like human beings is one more reason why i love the place. TAKE MY WORD- the food, atmosphere, entertainment, and staff are great! i recommend this restaurant to all who want to step outside the bounderies of a corporate world. enjoy! Pros: food/ BYOB, entertainment, staff Cons: can be hot more
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GREAT 4/20/2005

I had no idea that reservations were reccomended when I first visited Ararat, however, the service was great and we got a nice table anyway. Oliver Rajamani played that night which set an amazing mood for the already eclectic and intimate atmosphere. It was a great escape from Austin, Texas for a night. The food was amazing...and it is where I fell in love with pomegranite juice. Great place for a date... Pros: awesome music/ dan, amazing food, great atmosphere Cons: not a lot of parking more
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Menu for Ararat Middle East Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Ararat is warm and inviting, with Persian, Turkish and Afghani rugs covering every wall. Couples and groups sit upright at a conventional table or lounge on soft cushions around...

  • 6/15/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon 6pm-11pm Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Kitchen closes at 10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: North Loop
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