Hungry Travels

I was ready to snap a pic of the spice aisle at Yaranush, the Mediterranean market in White Plains, when the manager’s voice stopped me. 

“No, no pictures please.”

“Is it okay if I take a few pictures for my blog?” I asked.

“No, I don’t like pictures.”

I tried shameless pandering.  “Are you sure?  I was going to say nice things.”

“That’s okay.”

At first I was taken aback — then I felt guilty about being disrespectful in another person’s place of business and quickly put the camera away.

It made sense to me later: Yaranush has built a loyal customer base by selling quality Greek and Armenian products for over 20 years; I’ve never seen an advertisement; they don’t need a random blogger coming in and snapping pics with promises to say nice things.

Since I’m not able to show you the store, I’ll show you what I bought. 

I had Zaatar bread for the first time –- this was a revelation — like an herby thin crust pizza of thyme, olive oil and sesame seeds, without the sauce.  It heated up well in the oven and the manager said it’s great with feta cheese on top. 

I need your help identifying this spread because I’m brain cramping — it’s not baba ghannouj or hummus, but it’s got a similar consistency and it has dill in it.  Any idea?  For the life of me I can’t remember. 

I really wanted a piece of homemade baklava, except Yaranush only sells them by the pack, so I was out of luck.

The stuffed grape leaves made up for the baklava disappointment.  

These aren’t the stuffed grape leaves you get at Trader Joe’s (and I buy those all the time — kind of mealy, but they work in a pinch).  Yaranush’s are plump and fresh, full of pine nuts, well spiced (hint of cinnamon?) and not overly oily.  

I planned on eating two and saving the rest for the later.  They were so good that I ended up eating all four, plus the whole piece of Zaatar bread and some of the “Spread that I cannot name”.

Yaranush had an interesting looking Armenian pumpkin preserve I might try next time; the fresh feta looked great too.  Now I know the store rules: Bring appetite and wallet, leave camera at home. 

Yaranush Mediterranean Foods
322 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606
914-682-8449

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Tags: mediterranean, white plains, yaranush