Lusy's Mediterranean Cafe Opens In Encino

A purple eggplant is not a very likely seed of success. But it has taken an Armenian girl from cooking at her grandmother’s side in Yerevan to culinary awards and now opening her second restaurant in the Valley.

With hundreds of five-star Yelp reviews and enthusiastic patrons from all over Los Angeles, chef Lusy Gradzhyan has now opened Lusy’s Encino and guests are already praising the food.

R H., among the first Yelp reviewers for the new spot, said, "Lusy's distinguishes itself in an area crowded with Mediterranean restaurants with the following: robust flavors, beautiful food presentation (even for delivery or takeout), excellent prices, welcoming staff and stellar customer service."

Yelper Andrea S. commented: "I'm pleased to say that the quality is top notch.”

The newly-designed cafe is located at 16200 Ventura Boulevard and specializes in delivery, to-go and catering.

Encino Chamber of Commerce executive director Diana Duenas said the business community “is very happy that Lusy’s chose Encino as their second location.”

Valley Economic Alliance (VEA) executive director Kenn Phillips said the VEA had advised Lusy’s in the early days as well as tapping Lusy’s for catering VEA events. According to Phillips, “We’re very proud of Lusy as an entrepreneur and a chef.”

Her Valley Glen restaurant, Lusy’s Mediterranean Cafe and Grill has been a popular spot for foodies as well as families for more than 12 years.

Gradzhyan won the annual Western Food Service culinary show’s chef competition two years ago with her fresh take on the Mediterranean classic babaganush and has not looked back.

Judges Marine Room executive chef Bernard Guillas, Lawry’s Prime Rib executive chef Dana Dare and Cal-A-Vie Resort’s executive chef Curtis Cooke awarded Lusy’s top honors saying her food had “rich and complex flavors”.

Los Angeles veteran writer and food critic Karen Young was the first to review Lusy’s in 2012. Then Westways Magazine -“fresher and more flavorful” than the usual Mediterranean - and LA Daily News - “It’s clear this is a kitchen with a fine hand with herbs and spices” helped uncover the small restaurant in the Valley. GrubHub and Yelp have both ranked Lusy with top ratings. Based on the growing pile of five-star reviews, Yelp called Lusy’s “stellar”. Yelp reviewers rank Lusy’s among the best Mediterranean spots in Los Angeles.

Fresh from culinary travels in Italy and Greece last year, Gradzhyan is enthusiastic about her new venue. “Our new place in Encino is perfect for serving healthy, California-fresh Mediterranean cooking. Fast delivery for sure but not fast food!”

In 2014 she was the first restaurant to be named Small Business of the Year for the 46th Assembly District and recognized by the state legislature and the California Small Business Association.

“Lusy’s is an institution in my district of Valley Glen and I only expect she will bring the same caliber of dining to Encino,” said LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian. Lusy’s was honored with an outstanding citizen award by Krekorian in 2012 for their active support of the community.

Stop in to try it for yourself. Lusy's Mediterranean Cafe & Grill is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)