What I adore about traveling is exploring and finding new places to eat. In my journeys I have come across the most delicious locally owned and family operated dining venues.  

Mt. Ararat bakery in Queens, close to La Guardia airport, is a gem!  With an amazing selection of breads, pastries, cookies, ethnic Persian and Armenian groceries and mouth watering Persian ice cream made with rose water and saffron.  

My favorite is the Barbari bread made on premises and the lavash. The Barbari bread is light and airy and perfection when toasted. The wheat lavash is thin and perfect for wraps.

When it comes to cookies, the almond cookies are moist and out of this world, made of egg whites with a natural almond flavor. Very difficult to just have one.  

The Persian ice cream in my opinion is some of the best I have had, made with vanilla ice cream and mixed with saffron, rose water and junks of cream. The ice cream is served between two thin wafers.

When it comes to groceries, the almonds, pistachios and the dried fruit are fresh and authentic.

As an avid tea drinker, there are black loose teas that one can brew at home

Mt.Ararat is easy to get to with a quick exit off the highway in Queens, and definitely worth a visit.