Austinist: Ararat Restaurant Announces Closing Fete

ol'pappy

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:59:41 -0600

I liked their food a lot and I didn't have a problem with the attitude of the service people, but Ararat did seem like they were violating some health codes and their hippies-on-meth wait staff was kinda creepy. Meh. I'll miss their kabobs.

food appreciator

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:38:46 -0600

when a place supposedly authentic makes hummus that tastes like mustard, can you really feel sorry for them that they are running out of business? on top of their shoddy treatment of customers by staff and management? sorry. no tears shed here.

heyzeus

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:36:38 -0600

I'll miss it. The food was great. But that building could collapse at any given moment.

S

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:42:36 -0600

1. The staff was indeed terrible at this place. 2. The Mansaf was grand. 3. A fine place to drink wine and relax. 4. Someone please post a map of ancient Persia.

Hogwash

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:29:17 -0600

Boo freakin' hoo! No matter how tasty the food, the staff at this dump turned every dining experience into a mediocre one. Aaron said it all: "Nothing like feeling like you were intruding to pay someone else for dinner." Good riddance.

chris

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:50:59 -0600

Out of curiosity, is that a picture of persepolis in Iran? Ararat had an amazing vegetarian platter. I'm hoping those recipes aren't lost to us forever.

Allie Baba

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:47:55 -0600

Hashish and running a restaurant don't mix. I always found the question, "Do you have a reservation?" comical the handful of times I ate there. Do I really need a reservation on a Tuesday night at 9PM when there are only two other tables being occupied?! Gotta agree with the other posts, service was a big problem. I will miss the spicy lamb though.

Mark

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:16:29 -0600

I couldn't even make a reservation there. I tried for weeks last year to get through and even when the place was open, no one ever answered. I left about a half dozen messages asking for someone to call me back, because it was a slightly larger than normal group. No luck. I haven't been back in years and I can't say I miss it.

Aaron

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:26:50 -0600

I agree with BD, the management was fairly poor. Nothing like feeling like you were intruding to pay someone else for dinner.

Bob Dobbs

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:44:14 -0600

They're shutting down because they've been managed poorly for a number of years. A google search on the name "Ararat" will bring up numerous examples of bad reviews, primarily for their service staff and management's bad attitude toward their clientele. I'm not at all surprised to hear they're closing - and it is quite sad, as they used to be a great place to take a date.

Anon

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:22:58 -0600

Where's Louis Black? Does anyone know anyone on the SXSW staff? I'm sure this is on their list too right? Probably selling to make space for condos or a Wal-Mart. I think they're closing because they were shut down for having no permits to operate in the first place. They are claiming they didn't know you had to have a permit to sell booze and run a restaraunt. Damn city red tape.

Stew

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:00:35 -0600

Sad to see this place go...although their cork-fees were a little exorbitant.

bildeaux

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:59:12 -0600

Hopefully the fire marshals will allow more than 49 people there ;)