Ten years is no small feat in Los Angeles dining, especially on the Eastside, where trends shift fast and loyalty has to be earned nightly.
This September, Momed Atwater Village 10th anniversary celebrations honor a decade of staying power, heart, and flavor.
Owner Alex Sarkissian and Executive Chef Vartan Abgaryan are marking the milestone by reviving one of Momed’s most meaningful traditions:
the Immigrant Chef Dinner Series.
Running every Monday night throughout September, the series brings together some of Los Angeles’ most respected chefs for collaborative, family-style dinners that celebrate immigrant stories, cultural exchange, and—yes—serious fun-loving flavor. It’s a reminder that the best meals in LA aren’t just about what’s on the plate, but who’s around the table.
The Immigrant Chef Dinner Series: A Celebration of Culture
The Momed Atwater Village 10th anniversary Immigrant Chef Series kicks off Monday, September 9, and continues each Monday through the month. Each evening features a seven-course tasting menu ($80 per person), served family-style, and created collaboratively by Chef Abgaryan and a guest chef whose immigrant background shapes their culinary voice.
Expect bold flavors, thoughtful storytelling, and menus that lean into both comfort and curiosity. It’s serious cooking without the stiffness—high-level, but still joyful.
The 2024 Guest Chef Lineup
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Monday, September 9 – Susan Yoon (Orsa & Winston, Wolfdown, 71Above)
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Monday, September 16 – Nakul Mahendro (BADMAASH)
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Monday, September 23 – Wesley Avila (Guerrilla Tacos, KA’TEEN, MXO Steakhouse)
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Monday, September 30 – Vivian Ku (Pine & Crane, Joy)
Each chef brings a distinct cultural lens, creating a month-long culinary conversation that feels very LA: diverse, layered, and deliciously opinionated.
Why Momed’s 10th Anniversary Matters
Since opening in 2014, Momed has become a neighborhood anchor in Atwater Village—approachable, warm, and quietly excellent. The restaurant’s name, short for Modern Mediterranean, reflects its philosophy: seasonal ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and dishes that borrow freely from the many cultures that shape Los Angeles.
In an era where restaurants often chase hype, Momed has leaned into consistency and community. Relatable? Absolutely. This is the kind of place locals return to after a long workday, where birthdays blur into casual weeknight dinners, and where a great meal never feels performative.
Cocktails, Wine, and All-Night Happy Hour
Because Momed understands balance (and because celebrations should never feel uptight), guests can also enjoy five specialty cocktails and five specially selected wines by the glass, all priced at $10 each during the dinners. Flavor-forward, fun-loving, and designed to pair effortlessly with the menus.
Even better? Throughout September, Momed will offer Happy Hour all night at the bar from Sunday through Thursday. That’s not a typo. It’s the kind of generous move that keeps a neighborhood restaurant beloved—and a little dangerous in the best way.
Giving Back While Breaking Bread
True to the spirit of the Immigrant Chef Series, Momed is donating 5% of proceeds from each dinner to organizations supporting immigrant and refugee communities, including:
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Armenian Relief Society (ARS)
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Immigrant Center for Women and Children (ICWC)
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International Rescue Committee (IRC)
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Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
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Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
Food has always been political in quiet ways. Here, it’s also generous.
Chef Vartan Abgaryan’s Vision at Momed
Chef Vartan Abgaryan brings a deeply personal approach to Momed, rooted in Armenian American family traditions, shaped by classical training, and refined through years leading some of LA’s most acclaimed kitchens, including 71Above and Cliff’s Edge.
His cooking is highly seasonal, visually striking, and emotionally grounded. At Momed, that translates into food that feels elevated without being precious—perfect for collaborative dinners where conversation and connection matter as much as technique.
Mini FAQ: Momed’s Immigrant Chef Series
Q: When does the Immigrant Chef Series take place?
A: Every Monday in September—September 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Q: How much is the tasting menu?
A: $80 per person, seven courses, served family-style.
Q: How do I make a reservation?
A: Visit www.AtMomed.com or call 323.522.3488.
The Momed Atwater Village 10th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of longevity—it’s a love letter to immigrant stories, shared tables, and the kind of flavor that brings people together without trying too hard. If you care about where LA dining has been—and where it’s going—this month-long series is worth planning your Mondays around. Make the reservation. Bring friends. Come hungry.
Additionally, in the spirit of giving back, Momed will donate 5% of the proceeds from each dinner to five organizations committed to immigrant and refugee affairs: Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Immigrant Center for Women and Children (ICWC), International Rescue Committee (IRC),Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles(CHIRLA).
Momed’s 10th Anniversary “Immigrant Chef Series” promises to be a flavorful and festive celebration of culture, community, and culinary artistry.
Don’t miss this special event and mark your calendars and make your reservation today!
For more information on Momed’s 10th Anniversary “Immigrant Chef Series” coming up on Monday, September 9th, 2024, Monday, September 16th, 2024, Monday, September 23rd, 2024, and Monday, September 30th, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Please visit www.AtMomed.com to make your reservations, and for further information call Momed directly at 323.522.3488.
About Momed:
Momed, owned by Alex Sarkissian and short for “Modern Mediterranean,” offers a fresh take on the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean basin, emphasizing seasonality and sustainable ingredients. Since opening its doors in 2014, Momed Atwater Village has become a cherished dining destination in Los Angeles, known for its warm ambiance, inventive cuisine, and commitment to community. With Chef Vartan Abgaryan now at the helm, Momed continues to push culinary boundaries while honoring its Mediterranean roots.
About Chef Vartan Abgaryan:
As a child growing up in Los Angeles, Vartan Abgaryan was deeply moved by the way his family’s Armenian American culture celebrated all occasions, both happy and somber, with food. Inspired by the pure joy of cooking and how food brought many generations together, Abgaryan decidedly embarked on a career in the culinary realm. Educated at Le Cordon Bleu, Abgaryan graduated in 2004 and went on to cook at the famed Andre Soltner restaurant Lutece for one and a half years. In 2006, he moved back to the West Coast to be closer to his family, where he worked at Red Pearl Kitchen, followed by three years as Executive Chef at A Restaurant in Newport Beach. He then headed inland to accept the position of Executive Chef at Public Kitchen and Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where he received 2-stars from the Los Angeles Times food critic and was mentioned as a ‘Restaurant to Watch’ in Esquire magazine by Food Writer and Critic John Mariani.
In 2012, Abgaryan joined the Eastside’s iconic Cliff’s Edge as Executive Chef. Here, he successfully took the eight-year-old neighborhood restaurant and made it relevant again. At Cliff’s Edge, Abgaryan became known for his highly seasonal approach to ingredients and his stunning presentation of dishes – Eater Los Angeles’ Matthew Kang commented that his dishes were “among the most beautiful plating in the city.” In 2014, Cliff’s Edge was awarded three stars by LA Weekly’s Restaurant Critic, Besha Rodell.
After a successful run, he elevated his role, quite literally, by opening 71Above – the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi, in July 2016. Since opening, the restaurant has received great critical acclaim and put Abgaryan on L.A.’s culinary heat map. Under his hand, 71Above was awarded 3-stars by LA Weekly, and Los Angeles Magazine named it ‘one of the Top Ten New Restaurants of 2016,’ with Critic Patrick Kuh remarking that “the experience is luxury that reflects on-point execution.” The Los Angeles Times’ beloved Jonathan Gold called his Suckling Pig dish “something out of a charcuterie dream.”
After serving over 300 diners a night at elaborate helicopter-hovering heights, Abgaryan had become one of the city’s most talented and respected chefs. When an opportunity presented itself to bring a refined culinary experience to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, considered by many to be “America’s coolest block,” he took it. Abgaryan’s culinary endeavor, Yours Truly, with partners Dave Reiss (formerly of Salt Air) and Paul Pruitt (Founder of New School), allowed him to focus less on the number of guests and work within a more intimate dinner setting. Continuing to build dishes blending flavors from many cultures, Abgaryan’s dinner menu exhibited a multi-cultural approach to each dish, combining ingredients from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
In February 2023, Abgaryan took on a new challenge as the Chef at Momed in Atwater Village, where he continues to bring his creative vision and dedication to seasonal, culturally rich cuisine.
