A new Armenian venue and a bold challenge to boot.

On Friday, January 29, apricotstone (styled all lowercase, all one word) opened its doors to the public on Liberties Walk (1040 North 2nd St.) in Northern Liberties. It is situated on American Street at the site of the now-defunct Sweet Spot Cafe.

In an article on Philly.com, owner Fimy Ishkhanian, a native of Syria, explains how she previously tried her hand at the restaurant business in both the Narberth borough of Montgomery County and Bala Cynwyd in Lower Merion Township. Neither venture panned out the way she’d hoped. Ishkhanian then moved north to Toronto before finally settling down in Philadelphia and opening her new restaurant, apricotstone.

Ara Ishkhanian, son of Fimy and the restaurant’s manager, has dared other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean eateries in the area to top his mother’s specialty meals. The menu includes a plethora of salads, sandwiches, platters and desserts. They can also accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. Meals are reasonably priced and the tasting menus are $20.

The brightly lit, large-mirrored dining area seats 20, aiming to engender a warm and cozy aura. The BYOB restaurant is open from 11AM – 11PM, Tuesday through Saturday, and from 10AM – 4PM on Sunday as well.

For more information, visit apricotstone’s website.