There is a funky little piece of the Middle East in Austin tucked away on North Loop Boulevard. Parking is tough to find and reservations are highly recommended since there are just a few tables The dining room is dark, there isn’t a hostess station when you enter, the sole nod to decoration is the variety of carpets hanging on the walls.
Ararat restaurant serves Persian, Kurdish, and Turkish style food. We started with a sparkling pomegranate drink–pomegranate syrup blended with the sparkling water, and mint leaves–a very refreshing combination. For entrees we had sizzling shrimp (one of the specials for the day), and sizzling lamb, which featured chunks of tender meat resting in a pool of spicy tomato sauce and topped with the maust museer (a yogurt based sauce). It was served with grilled zucchini and onions, along with rice and bulgur, all atop a bigger-than-plate-sized pita. For me the spicy tomato sauce hit the spot. They were accommodating on our special request of no butter sauce on the lamb. Everything is served atop a flat bread. For me the highlight of the meal was the dessert. We chose baked figs stuffed with walnuts on a pomegranate, and honey sauce and it was truly superb.
Ararat, 111 E. North Loop Blvd., (512) 419-1692
Took a client from New Orleans here to show him what Austin was about after one of my friend’s (whose opinions I respect) said it was solid.
Here’s the quick play by play:
It was their third day doing lunch. Went in and was greeted with a genuine smile from our waitress. Place is very cozy. Picked a table inside. Went to the men’s room and saw the charming outside area. It was an incredible day, so I went back in and suggested that we move outside. Asked our waitress, who now looked like she had just suffered a strong electrical shock. She didn’t reply but led us out.
She then said, ‘I’m the only one here’. We both then said we weren’t in ANY kind of a hurry. Told her to take her time, plus, there wasn’t anybody else there! We were the only ones.
From then on everything went down hill. The Trail of Tears from inside to outside was about thirty feet; a real stretch for a trained waitress with tennis shoes on a sixty degree day.
Now with the genuine scowl of a late twenties over-educated sulker (you know the type; they haul-ass to the Spiderhouse every day to sulk and write people up in their secret diary, not knowing that you’ve been listening to The Cure for fifteen years longer than they have) she reluctantly answered our questions with as few words as possible, making us feel stupid, which was lovely on such a fine day.
The tension oozed over us every time she came by. We’re still the only diners at the place. She was adept at leaving our questions and remarks with no answer or speech whatsoever. She may have recently had some mouth or dental surgery.
She comes out with the food, which was great, and asks, ‘Would you like me to take your gum?’ to which I replied ‘yes’, since she hadn’t given us any napkins; I didn’t want to throw it on the ground! I admit this may have been entirely gross (I’ve worked in restaurants too and have seen and cleaned much worse) but her f***ing unshaven armpits 24 inches from my face wasn’t exactly a pleasure that tickled the palette.
After this she disappeared. We didn’t want for anything, but had to go to the front to get the check, which is where the best part of the story was found.
Another waitress asked how the food was. We told her it was great. I told her we must have angered our waitress somewhow to which she replied, ‘Oh, that’s the owner. She’s just stressed out.’
We couldn’t beleive it! She should fire herself. How embarassing for her.
She streamed by a moment later and somebody made comment to us how the cuisine being good was important. I then I said, “So is service.” Our lovely heroine heard this and left for more ‘owner’ duties as she thought about how I was going to stiff her. I left her $4 on $20 and got the hell out of there, apologizing to my friend and explaing that this wasn’t really Austin.
The Point:
1. Dont’ go to Ararat if the owner’s having a bad day. You may want to get her personal number and call before just dropping by whenever you feel like it.
2. If you don’t like your job, then f***ing quit. Stop making yourself and everyone else miserable. McDonald’s has better service, plus the McRib is back.
Great food. Thanks for the memories.
James Hill
P.S. After surfing aoround a bit doing this, found out this chic is infamous for having a shitty attitude
I have been to Ararat several times and had a wonderful time and the wait persons were very nice and the food was fantastic. We went at night and had a reservation. I think you have to be in a good mood and chat with the wait persons. Ask their name and how they are doing this evening. If you are nice then they are nice. Don’t be in a hurry when you go to Ararat’s. Thats my moto and it almost always works.