Viktoria's Place Restaurant Provides Home-Style Armenian Food

Svetlana Bagdasarov
Staff Writer

Viktoria's Place owners Zograb Tsolokian and wife Viktoria. Photo: Barlow Der Mugrdechian

In an effort to break my monotonous lunch routine and spend my money at someplace other than restaurants such as Subway, Denny's, Panda Express, or Broilers, I took my sister's advice and went to Viktoria's Place. The restaurant recently opened and it is located on the corner of Herndon and Ingram streets, across the street from Wal-Mart.  I didn't know what to expect, because that same corner used to be the home of a Psychic Reader and I just couldn't visualize it transformed into a restaurant. Nevertheless, I was on a mission to find a new place that I could add to my list of exceptional restaurants.  So with my sister for companionship and a second opinion, I was ready to evaluate.

When we arrived I felt as though we were going to a friend's house for lunch instead of a restaurant.  As we stepped inside, I was astonished.  I couldn"t figure out how something that looked so dull and secluded from the outside managed to look like a trendy restaurant inside. Right away, I noticed an array of beautiful paintings and traditional Armenian musical instruments hung on the walls.  I also couldn't help but turn my attention to the flat-screen televisions and a state of the art kitchen where the head-chef Viktoria, whom the restaurant was named after, was busy preparing something that smelled divine. 

Viktoria's Place restaurant is located at 488 W. Herndon, at the corner of Herndon and Ingram Aves. Photo: Barlow Der Mugrdechian

My sister and I were greeted by Viktoria's husband and the restaurant owner, Zograb Tsolokian. We were seated at the booth of our choice and given an extensive menu.  The variety of options ranged from Zograb's noteworthy pizza and calzone, to classic Armenian cuisine, to simple but tasty sandwiches and salads with house dressing. Since I usually prefer to order meat, I wanted to order beef or lamb; however, I was craving chicken.  I can honestly say that it was the best chicken I have ever tasted, so well prepared and tender that I hardly had to chew. The rice pilaf and bulghur pilaf were the perfect side dishes accompanied by hummus, vegetables, and Arabic pita bread. As for the salad, it was a bit mediocre at first, but after I put the special house dressing on it, it became something to be desired.

All in all, the food, the service, and the ambiance were definitely up to par with other local dining establishments. It is certainly a place to bring your friends and family.  Who wouldn't like a cozy place to unwind, enjoy delicious food, and socialize with loved ones?  Trust me—don't let the exterior fool you because the interior has so much to offer.