Restaurant “Bel etage”

Despite the fact that the great Armenian director Sergei Parajanov, alas, never managed to live on Armenian soil, although he had such plans, it was in Yerevan that his house-museum was opened. This country always treats all its children with tenderness and sincere love, even those who by the will of fate turned out to be prodigal. Parajanov was born in Georgia, spent a lot of time there, and lived in Moscow and Kyiv for a while. Even those people who are not familiar with the director’s work, according to Armenian tour operators, will be curious to visit the museum dedicated to him. Firstly, perhaps this will inspire them to watch several famous films. And secondly, Parajanov was not only a great master of cinematography, but also a great mystifier, a mocker, who first of all molded the space of his own life and created amazing absurd pictures. All this, of course, was reflected in his legacy, and therefore a visit to the museum turns from a decorous cultural event into a bright attraction.

Sergey Parajanov is a recognized master of avant-garde cinema, who introduced a new stage language into circulation. At the same time, all his techniques and images are nurtured by ancient Christian traditions and the centuries-old cultural heritage of Armenia. So with his pictures he paid tribute to his roots.

Parajanov’s works were also appreciated by foreign masters. Federico Fellini, Louis Aragon, Michelangelo Antonioni, Francois Truffaut and many others expressed their admiration for such films as The Color of Pomegranates and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. Among Russian masters, Tarkovsky and Vartanov highly valued his work. Some of the techniques used by Parajanov in his works were creatively rethought by other masters. So, despite some modern oblivion, one cannot help but note the influence of the master on the development of modern culture.

Although Parajanov was not lucky enough to live in the homeland of his ancestors – he was born in Tbilisi to an Armenian family – the director left his entire rich legacy in Armenia. Parajanov was an amazingly multifaceted personality – therefore his legacy did not consist only of works related to cinematography. Initially, he studied at the construction department of the Institute of Railway Transport, then took violin and vocal lessons at the Tbilisi and Moscow Conservatories, studied dance at the Tbilisi Opera House, but eventually chose cinema and graduated from VGIK. Parajanov drew brilliantly, made beautiful collages. In general, he turned all the living space around him into high art. Which allowed descendants to admire the rich legacy left by the master, but cost his loved ones dearly. Because of the craving for shocking, the inability, and even the unwillingness to adapt to the blurry, gray and amorphous body of the surrounding philistine masses, not only Parajanov suffered, but also his family.

His first marriage fell apart, although the spouses maintained a warm relationship, the son was raised by his ex-wife, although the boy often saw his father. As a result, Parajanov even spent several years in prison and a colony, accused of sodomy. Although most of his friends and acquaintances assume that the director was heterosexual, he could say anything in his unexpected mysteries and desire to shock others. And the reason for the arrest was a not entirely innocent joke that sounded in an interview with the director, published by one of the Danish newspapers – as if as many as 20 members of the Central Committee of the CPSU were thirsty for lovemaking with Parajanov. This, and a letter in defense of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, persecuted in the late 60s, cost Parajanov 4 years in prison. This extraordinary person, who always wanted to stand out, took the imprisonment hard. He could not adapt to prison customs, and the prisoners suspected that he asked for it himself in order to subsequently make a film about life in captivity. But it was this tragedy that gave the world the symbol of one of the cinematographic awards. A portrait of Pushkin, scratched with a nail on an aluminum kefir lid, had an amazing and adventurous journey before ending up in the hands of Federico Fellini. He liked the thing so much that he cast a silver medal in its likeness. Now such medals are awarded to winners of the Rimini festival.

Another prison work – a shroud painted with amazing biblical images, which Parajanov created especially for his cellmate, who died on the neighboring bunks, is now kept in a museum in Yerevan. In addition to this sad work, the museum’s exposition paints the image of an unusual person, demonstrating dolls, ceramics, collages, drawings and much more created by Parajanov during his life. In total, about six hundred of the master’s creations, made in various forms and styles, are collected here. In addition, the museum features two rooms where the creators of the museum were able to reconstruct the atmosphere and interior decoration of his home from the director’s personal belongings that were kept in his apartment in Georgia. This tour of Armenia will allow fans of Parajanov’s work to learn

A surprisingly atmospheric and charming establishment in the heart of Yerevan will give you the charm of a real French restaurant. This is a small corner that takes you to amazing lands filled with the aromas of bitter orange, herbs, when you seem to feel the warm sun warming and the salty sea air tickling your nostrils. And you don’t even need to buy a ticket to these lands, just take a flight with Uzbekistan Airlines to Yerevan. The restaurant itself was opened quite recently, only in 2012, but the gloss of a tradition-rich establishment is felt in everything. The charming place itself attracts with its appearance, in the summer there is a nice terrace where, hiding in the cool shade, you can sip coffee, enjoying fresh and crispy croissants.

The restaurant itself has three halls, each with its own entourage and offering a special atmosphere. All of them are named after the style of decoration. The first rooms are called “Wine Hall” and are decorated in an elegant and restrained style. The walls are covered with dark-colored stone tiles with inserts of antique faience, and one of the planes is completely closed by a tall cabinet that stores samples of the best French wine in its depths. Chocolate thin-legged furniture, which arrived here, like these precious bottles from the country of the Franks, mysteriously flickering candles and an elegant crystal chandelier – all this creates an inimitable romantic atmosphere. Although the whole establishment breathes the romance of charming France, promising an unforgettable evening. Tour operators in Armenia recommend visiting this place to true fans of French cuisine.

Another hall – “Piano” – seems to shimmer from the inside. This impression is created by the amazing combination of white fragile furniture and a wide panoramic window leading to the terrace. Mustard-colored walls, an elegant rack filled with all sorts of cute little things and bright trinkets, everything reminds of a sunny summer in Provence. And the name of these gastronomic chambers was given by a luxurious piano, shining with black skin, proudly towering on its mighty paws near one of the walls. This noble beast miraculously comes to life on Fridays and Saturdays, filling the restaurant halls with gentle and lyrical sounds.

The Art Hall also has its own unique charm, where the entire interior, including the walls and ceiling, is painted in rich ocher, while preserving the amazing volumetric texture of the surfaces. Black, slightly heavy openwork furniture, clear lines of beams on the ceiling, dark canvases on the walls and light, almost weightless curtains – this creates the atmosphere of a cozy pastoral restaurant in the French wilderness.

However, the appearance of the restaurant is only a worthy frame for its culinary masterpieces. Having decided to open a restaurant of haute French cuisine, the owners did not skimp on funds. Several meters were invited directly from France, who helped to create a draft version of the menu. And future chefs did an internship in various establishments with many Michelin stars, and located on the Cote d’Azur. A magnificent kitchen was equipped. After a somewhat old-fashioned entourage of the halls, it simply amazes with the brilliance of modern and most advanced technology. However, the costs paid off – and now “Belle Etage” rightfully bears the name of one of the best French restaurants in Armenia.

The ingredients used here are only the freshest and most carefully checked products, and some of the food, such as cheeses, fish and seafood, are brought straight from France.

“Belle Etage” is not only delicious Armenian and French wine. It also has great strong drinks. If you prefer cocktails, you can order one from a long list, or try mixing your own new taste – the local bartender is always open to ideas and experiments.

The restaurant is also famous for its own bakery. Here, according to special recipes, they bake croissants, buns and profiteroles that melt in your mouth. And you can also try real homemade ice cream. It is located in the very center of the city, near the best hotels in Armenia.

The restaurant is open every day from nine in the morning until eleven in the evening.

Contacts:

Tel.: (+374-10) 50 07 51

Address: RA, Yerevan, Stepan Zoryan str.

E-mail: info@beletage.am

Working hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-23:00