Restaurant Specializing in California Cuisine in the Works for Montrose Shopping Park

A restaurant specializing in California cuisine is in the works for Honolulu Avenue in the Montrose Shopping Park, and menu will feature all things California, according to owner Armen Rostomian,

"The concept is to highlight the state of California, which I love so much," Rostomian told the Montrose Shopping Park Association Board at its meeting on Sept. 5. "Everything, it’s going to be about California, the food is going to be California fusion, picking all these different items from all the different cultures that live in this great state, and just do it my way."

Rostomian spoke to the board to tell them the details of the business and a little about himself. 

"It will be a seasonal menu that changes, with California microbrews, California wines. Nothing imported, nothing bottled. I’m all about California," Rostomian said. 

The restaurant is to be called Benitoite, which is the official gem of California, and is planned for 2200 Honolulu, replacing Polkatots, a cupcake shop that closed in July.

Rostomian is Armenian and grew up in Iran, but moved to California to attend college, he told the board. He said he's been cooking for 14 years and been a professional cook for four, including stints at several famous Los Angeles restaurants like Wolfgang Puck and Westside Tavern. This will be the first time he has owned his own business, he explained. 

"I’m absolutely in love with Montrose," Rostomian said. "I currently live in La Cañada, I used to live in La Crescenta. Many of my first dates were actually in Montrose."

Rostomian also said he planned to make everything from scratch. 

"I'm keeping it short, 15-20 items, with a maximum price $20. It’s going to be really enjoyable, I want everyone to enjoy the food," Rostomian said. 

Rostomian is still in the process of obtaining his beer and wine license from the city of Glendale and hopes to open in December.