Hagop Restaurant

Hagop Restaurant Restaurant Review:

Beirut native Hagop Ghadanian specializes in Middle Eastern comfort food at his family’s casual restaurant in Sherman Oaks. The basic space isn’t much to gawk at, with copper-tinged walls lined with mirrors, carpet, white and green tabletops, and a refrigerated display case of key ingredients fronting the kitchen. Music plays a prominent role in creating atmosphere, with impassioned covers of songs like Whitney Houston’s "The Greatest Love of All” and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Warm up with an array of maza, shareable appetizers. Highlights include rich hummus crafted with blended garbanzo beans, lemon juice, garlic and sesame oil. Mouhamara, a spicy dip made with breadcrumbs, spices, walnuts and sesame oil, is similarly pita-friendly. Entrées revolve around meats like Cornish hen, lamb chops and lule kebab (minced beef). Quail is a great value, with three whole quail marinated and grilled to a succulent state. Syria-inspired Ras nana is of special interest, with a minced beef patty bathed in a tangy blend of garlic, dried mint, lemon juice and olive oil. For dessert, skip the fruit plate in favor of ashta, an aromatic creation that combines cream, honey, rosewater and pistachio. To drink, you’re limited to soda, tea or potent Armenian coffee.