Persian New Year in Watertown, Shiraz Style

Shiraz Restaurant
72 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472

April 1, 2018

There are some in high places who take a dim view of immigrants, especially from anywhere else but Norway. My adopted hometown of Watertown, MA is a quilt of immigrants, some, like Armenians, here for generations, others, like Iranians, more recent. They make me feel like I live in a world-class town.

Watertown is loaded with Middle Eastern groceries and restaurants, a great place to buy and eat healthy and exotic food. On a whim, I went to the Shiraz Restaurant for a late afternoon Easter dinner.

“Were they celebrating Easter?” I not-too-culturally-aware asked the waitress as several groups of multi-generational families were leaving as I arrived.

“They're celebrating Nowruz,” says she, adding after seeing the blank look on my face, “it’s the Persian New Year.”

"Look at the display by the door," says she. “Each item on the table represents the new season and each begins with the letter S, pronounced sin.” Iranians often make similar displays at their homes, much like others decorate at Christmas and Chanukah. This event marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the rebirth of nature.

I lamely try to pronounce the words as she points to the items on the table.

1. Seeb (apple), represents beauty
2. Seer (garlic), represents good health
3. Serkeh (vinegar), represents patience
4. Sonbol (hyacinth), represents spring
5. Samanu (sweet pudding), represents fertility
6. Sabzeh (sprouts), represents rebirth
7. Sekeh (coins), represents prosperity

The Tehran born chef/owner learned the business in the kitchens of respected restaurants in his home town. Moe Anbardar moved his family to his new home town and opened this tastefully appointed restaurant in 2008.

Here I am celebrating Easter that happens to be the second day of Passover and the Iranian New Year all at once. A few miles from Boston, I'm in an all-American town populated by new Americans from Europe, the Middle East, and a bunch of countries in Asia and Africa to boot, where there are plenty of restaurants or grocery stores that remind the new arrivals of their heritage and homeland.

And offers all Watertoonians a fabulous array of spices, cheese, pastries, soups, coffees, teas, dairy products, dinners, desserts from around the world and a warm and occasionally educational welcome.

Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.

 

 

Comments

[Gerard McMahon]

Very Nice!!

[Jeff]

It's more than Watertown Paul, it's America.

[Ann Baker]

This looks great. Is it just dinner they serve ?

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

Here you go...lunch AND dinner
Sun to Thurs: 11:30am ~ 10pm

Fri and Sat: 11:30am ~ 10:30pm

[Bernard Ussher]

Love it!

Reminds me I used to frequent “little” Armenia !!

Mohammed loved it too

Bernard

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

One of the best Persian restaurants in town, reliably good food, a piping hot terrific warm made on the premises flatbread big as a pie plate arrives as soon as you order and the food is not too far behind. Well designed interior layout and lighting and furnishings. The large aquarium fascinates kids when the enter with their parents.
Must have hit the spot since you’ve been away from the area for so long and remember it with such pleasure.

[Mohammed Ghaleb]

If you like Middle Eastren food, there another one in Spring St. off Watertown Sq. The place is called Mollana. Mollana , means referee to leader especially religious leader.

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

I haven't been there in a while, Mohammed, but remember they serve the best basmati rice I've ever tasted.
I remember reading in the restaurant that the name has to do with Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and mystic. I'll check it out, thanks for reminding me:)
It's another example of the great range of eateries packed in to its tiny 4.1 square mile space.

http://www.molanarestaurant.com
Molana Restaurant
5 Spring St Watertown MA 02472

[KBJones]

I like this post. Recalling a very nice day in Watertown, the characteristics of the Town (or is it a City?), and cultural celebrations that were unexpected.

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large]

Thanks for the comment

I’ll cite wikipedia to clarify.

"The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census. Watertown is one of fourteen Massachusetts municipalities that have applied for, and been granted, city forms of government but wish to retain "The town of" in their official names."

Note: I'll still call them Watertoonians!