Bites Nearby: Armenian Market and Bakery

Patch.com
Feb 18 2012

Bites Nearby: Armenian Market and Bakery

An Armenian market with a twist or two: an eat-in cafe and its
location off Arsenal Street in Watertown.

What can another Armenian-Middle Eastern market do differently in
Watertown, which already has at least four of them? Two answers: a
location in a different part of town, at 23 Elm St., just off Arsenal
Street and an eat-in cafe serving the classic Armenian savory pies,
pizzas and sandwiches, as well as the region’s famous pastries.

What to eat: Any of the Armenian specialties, especially the lahmajun
(a snack-like, thin-crust pizza with meat but no cheese) and shawarma
(a meat-filled wrap). Although many of the most-popular pies have meat
in them, there are also ones with cheeses, eggplant, spinach and
spices. There’s a soup-of-the-day, such as lentil. The pastries are
worth sampling, too, with their tasty combination of nuts, honey and
flaky pastry.

The vibe: Friendly and busy. On sunny, warm days, you might consider
getting food to take out and eating in one of the nearby large parks
across Arsenal Street or a few blocks away on Arlington Street.

Cool factor no. 1: Since it’s a new establishment, the staff are eager
to please, so you aren not imposing on them by asking what’s a “boreg”
(a cheese-filled savory pastry) or a “maneesh” (a vegetarian-like
pizza with thyme, spices and sesame seed).

Cool factor no. 2: The place is conveniently next door to the
Watertown Mall and across from the Arsenal Mall, on a small side
street and there’s off-street parking too.