Without question Ara Kalfayan has made Phoenicia one of the best ethnic restaurants in Southern California. Here can be found authentic Eastern Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine which has always been Ara’s hallmark. Decorations include artifact reminders of the ancient seafaring Phoenicians mixing with colorful peach colored linen and napkins. And trust Ara Kalfayan to find some exciting Lebanese wines.
 Which explains why the Southern California Restaurant Writers named him Restaurateur of the Year in 2018.   
The restaurant  features two large outdoor patios, one with a sliding covering roof when weather is less cooperative as well as two elegant dining rooms.
 We opened with appetizers that included Hommos; Labm, Lebanese cream cheese served with garlic; Warak Enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice, oil and vegetables, cooked in lemon juice and olive oil, and Tabbouleh, chopped parsley, crushed wheat, tomatoes and onions.
 Some hot appetizers we tasted included Kibbeh Makli, beef dumpling stuffed with ground beef; Bourghoul , onions and pine nuts as well as San Bousek, freshly prepared dough with ground beef and pine nuts and Rekakat, a selection of Lebanese cheese baked in a pastry dough.
 Our samplers of grill selections included Beef Kafla, ground beef, onions, parsley and spices, grilled on skewers.  One of our favorites are the lamb chops marinated with spices and grilled. Also chicken breast kabob, perfectly prepared rice and the best french fries we have had in a long time.
 Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale has achieved fame for its Lebanese cuisine but it also has an outstanding cellar of wines from  many countries including Lebanon.
  Through the decades Ara Kalfayan has always been a leader in creating an extensive wine cellar for his wine list.  Also he was in the forefront when California restaurants broadened their selection of wines by the glass  in the last decades of the 20th century. 
  Lebanon has a history of making wine for almost six thousand years.
  Most wines from Lebanon show a French influence and the red wines are generally blends of French varietals like Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot.  Two of Lebanon native varietals are still to be found, Obaideh and Merwah.
The wine list at Phoenicia is one of a kind featuring wines from all over the world and some from Lebanon that  are exclusive to this restaurant. Chateau Kefraya is produced in the Bakaa Valley. Chateau Ksara makes French styled blends and the winery dates back to 1857. Chateau Fakra offers red wines from the Kardebvian Valley north of Berut.
 Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale with valet parking. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. except on weekends when with  live entertainment there is a 2 a.m. closing time. For more information or reservations call 818 956-7