The 49th Annual Armenian Food Festival

We attended the Armenian Food Festival today for a quite yummy lunch. St. James Armenian Church located at the corner of Patterson and Pepper Avenues put on quite a spread.



Of course, we were interested in food, but the festival also featured Armenian wine. And we were allowed to taste before buying. The first wine tasted was a Pomegranate. We were impressed by what it was not - not sweet and not tart. For a fruit-based wine, it comes very close to tasting like a grape-based wine. And while not something I would imbibe every day, I would serve it as an aperitif and as a conversation starter. We also tasted two dry red wines. Both dry with smoky undertones and with labels that were unreadable. Bottles were either $20 or $15. We chose the $15 option.


As for food, we had lots of choices. We decided on Armenian Style Rice Pilaf ($2.75), Fasoulia - String Beans Braised in Tomatoes and Herbs ($2.75), Cheese Boureg Triangle - Philo with Cheese Filling ($2.75), Lahmajoun - Armenian Meat Pie ($3.00), Beef Shish Kebob ($8.00), and Chicken Shish Kebob ($6.00). Our favorites turned out to be the beef kebob, rice pilaf, and the cheese boureg triangle. For dessert we had a couple of Khourabia - Armenian Sugar Cookies ($1.00). The cookies were in between a sugar cookie and shortbread with almond flavoring.



While we ate we were treated to traditional dancing and music.



This was the first Armenian festival for us and we thoroughly enjoyed the food and festivities. The volunteer staff were extremely hospitable. The festival continues through Sunday. Go if you get the chance.