persian or armenian glendale

anyone have a list or experience of the persian and/or armenian restaurants in the glendale area?

my understanding is that there are several great places.

1. carousel-- arabic mezze

2. raffi's -- known to have the best kebobs in LA.

since i live on the west side, far from there, it is hard to
know where else to go. i heard about other places which have
unusual dishes (like the better grilled livers), but don't know the names. i think this one is on san fernando ave.

thank you in advance.

[reality check]

A few weeks ago a few friends and I put Elena's and Shiraz to a taste test. We got the shish and looleh (ground beef) kabobs and the chicken kabobs from both places. The kabobs from Shiraz were gone in no time. The kabobs from Elena's didn't make a great impression as there were plenty of leftovers.

Even though Shiraz is a little more expensive, the food is much better.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[ickster]

While Elena's could use some help in the decor department, I find their food to be topnotch. The kababs, gyros and hummus (and bread) are all favorites as they are fresh and delicious.

i love shamshiri on westwood, across from ross.

my persian friend loves sheherezad- also on westwood. he says it's more authentic than shamshiri.

Moon Mart Kabab at 400 S Glendale, Glendale is excellent! It's our favorite. Works even better with 4 people to share samplings of the side dishes - all delicious. Small place tucked in a mini-mall, parking avail at lower level if the small upper lot is full, no alcohol. Don't be deterred by people smoking at the tables outside the front door. Inside is usually quiet, not that busy when we have been there, and they will close the front door if smoke is a problem. There is usually one server but he is efficient and always polite.

We really like Raffi's. I like their beef steak/tenderloin type kebabs, while Hubby likes their lamb. Try their hummus too - it's very good.

I think Elena's kabobs are better than Raffi's, especially the lamb and chicken.

Elena Greek Armenian Cuisine
1000 S Glendale Ave, North of Chevy Chase
Glendale 91205
818-241-5730
Locater:
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=9232227&ck=837577824

Carnival in Sherman Oaks has chicken and lamb livers but I've never had them:

Carnival Restaurant
4356 Woodman Ave, near Ventura
Sherman Oaks 91423
818-784-3469
http://www.carnivalrest.com
Locater:
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=9285752&ck=3532362259

In Hollywood, try Sahag's Bastuma:

Sahags Basturma Sandwich Shop
5183 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles 90027
323-661-5311

lamb hearts and lungs at Old Gyumri:

Old Gyumri
4441 San Fernando Rd
Glendale 91204
818-550-0448

Hatsatoun Gourmet Restaurant
1120 N Pacific Ave #6
Glendale 91202
818-244-2222
Locater:
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=20035799&ck=3387098792

on the Westside Sunnin Lebanese is very good:

Sunnin Lebanese Cafe
1779 Westwood Blvd, North of Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles 90024
310-477-2358
http://www.sunnin.com
Locater:
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?&...

The Westside or SFV probably have more true Persian restaurants.

i think it is the place with lamb hearts that i'm looking for. a clarification, is this a ma and pa style restaurant? backgammon players too?

this was the information i was looking for. thank you

I don't think this is the place but it's worth checking out.

I second Elena's! Chicken shish!

The Shamshiri in Glendale is good. Good kabobs, tahdig, and they have some interesting stews.

To avoid the trip all the way to Glendale, try Marouch on Santa Monica Blvd. at Edgemont(4 blks west of Vermont), for Lebanese and Armenian food done very nicely for around the last 20 years. Whether or not it satisfies your curiosity concerns can be determined by looking at their web site linked below.
However, if in Glendale, Mandaloun at 141 S. Maryland Ave., behind Best Buy in that jungle jim shopping center, is quite good, so friends tell me.

Link: http://www.marouchrestaurant.com/clie...

i've been meaning to go to Marouch, but i hear mixed things.

there are some lessor known places in Glendale though, not mandaloun, carousel, raffi's. more like home cooking.
but i don't know the names.

thank you