Naan-Va - aka, a Persian Bakery

This, my dears, is a bread bakery. It happens to be at the back of Mt. Damavand grocery store in Fremont, right next to the Halal butcher counter.

As you cantell from the sign, one pays for their bread at the counter at the front of the store and is issued a token (a few sitting on the ledge, above) for each loaf. The bread is baked fresh to order while you do the rest of your shopping.

On this particular day, they were baking Barbari bread, which is a bit more leavened than most of our breads, with a more open but slightly drier texture. These 2+ foot loaves, like most fresh bread, really ought to be eaten within a few days.

Of course, C and I had polished off a third of the loaf before we pulled in to our garage. Another third was eaten that night with panir-o-sabzi (French feta, basil, mint, scallions and/or tarragon, wrapped in the bread).

The next morning, I made my breakfast of the remaining bread, lightly toasted and smeared with sweet cream butter and moraaba (preserves/jams) or asaal (honey). Washed down with a cup of hot Persian tea, this was a breakfast from heaven.

 

Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Persian | San Francisco | Fremont

Comments

[Dr. Biggles]

Oh man, a Halal market opened up a handful of blocks away. We had one closer, but it closed. They didn't have much going on. I need to check out the new one and see if they have fresh goat.

Biggles

[Walker Thompson]

I have such a passion for good bread. When I read your post about eating a third of the Barbari bread I about died laughing. Why? Because I do the same thing. I wonder why I don't buy four loafs when I'm at a good bakery. One for half way home; another for that night; the third loaf for the morning; and a fourth one during my mid-morning snack. It all sounds so good!

[ann]

what's Persian tea taste like? I probably driven by this place a hundred times but never knew there was a bakery there. I'll have to check it out. What else is good at Damavand?

There are a few other places in Fremont that have the 2-ft long bread.

[shuna fish lydon]

Where's the address?

MMMmmmmmm bread fresh from the bakery. In a few days I will be getting the bread my father, stepmother and I have been eating for over 20 years in NY.

[Fatemeh]

Walker - We generally buy two pain epis when we go to Acme, but I'm a bigger fan of sangak bread when it comes to Persian breads. But seriously, I can't believe how delicious this bread was.

Ann - I "blend" my own loose leaf Persian tea: 1 c. earl grey, 2 c. darjeeling, 1/4 c. cardamom pods. Every household has its own proportions, so just play around until you find your preferences.

Shuna-belle - Damavand it located at
37013 Towers Way, Fremont
(510) 793-2606

[mariam]

i'm going to have to visit mt. damavand in fremont, although i must say none of the naan-vaayis in the bay area make bread as delicious as what i've had in iran.

you've inspired me to go make a panir-o sabzi sandwich!

[mindy toomay]

So happy to find your blog. I know you're going to lead me on many great SF food forays. I'm in the East Bay but wander across the bridge to eat and art on a regular basis...

http://mindycooks.blogspot.com