Israyelyan & Associates © 2007 Romanov
Mikayel Israyelyan, Owner of famed Republic restaurant + lounge, brings a fine dining Russian steakhouse to Ventura Boulevard’s growing restaurant row.
Mikayel Israyelyan, CEO of Israyelyan & Associates and owner of Republic restaurant + lounge, Romanov Restaurant and Prana Café, is a seasoned restaurateur and successful entrepreneur. Starting in the food service business at the young age of 14, Mikayel successfully opened a cafe in a local movie theater in his hometown. He then moved with his family to the United States at the age of 16.
Mikayel entered into the food service industry in Los Angeles in 1998 by opening his first restaurant. Then in 2002, he created the Oasis Bakery and Café. Following these successful ventures Mikayel opened the Bliss Restaurant and Supper Club on Los Angeles’ trendy Restaurant Row North, situated along La Cienega Blvd. Frequented by a virtual “who’s who” A-list of Entertainment personalities, Bliss became a successful restaurant and club hosting many amazing events and in-demand parties.
Mikayel opened the highly anticipated Romanov Restaurant on Studio City’s up-and-coming Ventura Boulevard in early 2007. Romanov is the result of the inspiration he received from his roots as a Russian-Armenian and his wish to introduce Americans to fine Russian cuisine, the way they would experience it in Moscow. The modern Russian steakhouse features classical Russian favorites, reminiscent of the Tsar’s Residence and Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. With an extensive vodka and caviar menu and live music, Romanov is truly a dining destination.
In addition, Mikayel opened the “Tea Room Cafe,” situated below Romanov, in 2007. The Tea Room will include a wide array of high-end blends and feature a traditional Russian tea service, presented in authentic hand-painted Russian teapots accompanied by a selection of delicacies. Mikayel also opened the second location of Prana Café, below Romanov in 2007.
In the spring of 2005, Mikayel decided to create a venue unlike any other in Los Angeles. His vision was to develop a space with the most innovative design elements, unparalleled service, and menu selections created with twists on classical favorites. This vision and foresight resulted in Republic, showcasing a stunningly visual and expansive dining room; two secluded and intricate lounges; a patio with private screened cabanas; multiple venue entrances, and an adjacent 5,000 sq. ft. fully-enclosed event venue with the flexibility and capacity to hold everything from film premieres, to fashions shows, to private, full-service dinners and functions. Mikayel also opened M Lounge at Republic in 2006, the perfect nightspot for cocktails and music. This intimate setting offers a bar, two fire pits, comfortable lounges, leather wallpaper, a glass roof open to the night sky, and a separate entrance from Melrose Place.
Another venture in Mikayel’s roster of businesses is Divine Limousine Services, a luxury limo company serving Southern California. Divine Limousine Services will lend another element to Republic and Romanov, providing limo and car service as an option to guests that book in advance. Prana Café at Melrose Place is a sidewalk café serving breakfast and lunch selections that has become a favorite for neighborhood patrons. Situated next to Prana Café, is Mikayel’s take on the atypical ‘neighborhood newsstand,” a mini-bookstore / elite newsstand that offers high-end publications on fashion, design, art and other lifestyle subjects.
Upcoming projects for Mikayel include a premier dining destination at a luxury hotel/condominium high rise in Las Vegas scheduled to open in 2009. Mikayel is also currently developing a luxury water brand, EVAWATER, from wells in a mountainous region in Armenia, with distribution targeting luxury spas, hotels and fine restaurants here in the United States and Europe.
Mikayel studied and received a degree in International Law. He now resides in Studio City, California with his lovely wife and three children.