Seven months into living in Watertown, there are so many things I love about my new neighborhood - the proximity to Harvard Square and the Charles River, the dangerous proximity to Sofra Bakery, a supermarket with a wine, beer and liquor aisles and a plethora of Armenian markets.
For those who are unfamiliar, Watertown has one of the largest Armenian populations in the United States. In fact, the Armenian Library and Museum of America is right in Watertown Square.
On Mount Auburn Street, just steps from my front door are five different Armenian markets. I have been wanting to explore them since I first moved in, but hadn't had time until a few weeks ago. Now I am totally hooked.
So far, my favorite of all of the markets is Sevan Bakery. It sits right on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Elton Ave.
In the front window Sevan advertises many of their offerings, but inside there is so much more!
When you first walk through the doorway, you meet an olive bar with a multitude of colors of flavors.
In the front left corner is the spice rack, with bags of aromatic, exotic choices like Aleppo and Za'atar.
Sevan also offers jars of fruit preserves. No matter the flavor you choose, the jar will contain whole fruits swimming around in the jam.
Around the corner is the nut, dried fruit and candy bar. Just try to resist these goodies!
I was surprised to learn that Sevan also sells wine. If I'm ever in a pinch before hosting friends, this is going to be my new go-to spot.
Above the fridge and freezer cases of lahmejunes and pastry dough, Sevan sells hookahs! Who knew?
It was hard to resist the lavash and other delicious wraps and breads. I need to host a dinner party just so I can have an excuse to buy one of these huge packages.
In the first of many deli cases are blocks and blocks of fresh feta cheese. If you didn't love feta before, you will after tasting one of these.
Sevan has a beautiful bakery case and if you like baklava, this is your spot!
The bakery also offers several savory choices from pizzas to borekas and more.
Look at this bread! Don't you just want to rip off a piece?
Sevan was very smart with their staging, when you stand in line to pay (and there is always a line) you stand right beside their candy section.
The very last item to tempt you is actually behind the cash register, freshly made Armenian bagels! It's hard to tell from this photo, but these are about 12 inches in circumference.
On my first visit I went home with quite a bit of loot! Two breads (one topped with spinach and feta and one topped with feta and crushed red pepper), a box of vegetable lahmejunes, sour cherry preserves, a bag of za'atar spice and a marinated parmesan dip.
Since that first visit I have been back multiple times and I am starting to get more adventurous with my eating and my cooking.
Have you been to any of the Armenian markets in Watertown? Do you have a favorite?
