Invited to Persian New Year Dinner, What Can I Bring?

[la2tokyo]

My Persian friend's family has invited me to dinner tonight for Persian New Year. I don't know anything about Persian food or culture. What can I bring that they might like? I live near Westwood and I see lots of Persian businesses but I have no idea where to start. They're an hour away from any Persian market so I doubt they'll be buying any store-bought pastries or things like that. I know I can bring flowers, but I think some sort of dessert would be more fun for everyone to share? Thanks for the help!

[J.L.]

Tochal Market on Westwood Blvd., between the 7-Eleven & Shahrzad, sells bamieh (little sweet honeyed pastry bites). Good stuff.

Good luck, and Happy Nowruz.

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Shahrzad
1422 Westwood Boulevard, Westwood, CA

[Jwsel]

Why don't you ask your friend? A dessert might be a good idea, but it depends on the host. The one Persian New Year event I attended had an incredible abundance of homemade desserts and a non-Persian guest bringing food might have offended the host. One family might really appreciate you trying to learn what is appropriate for Persian New Year, while another might think you are trying to hard.

[la2tokyo]

That was a good point. I checked with my friend and he said it would be a great gesture, but now he's put me completely in charge of dessert. Thanks for your help everyone! Heading over to Westwood Blvd. (with not much idea of what I'm doing) in about an hour!

[bulavinaka]

I was just going to suggest what Servorg mentioned, as well as the shop across the street - I think it's called Super Sun. I think usually anything with saffron, pistachio or rosewater is appropriate, as well as some premium dried fruits. Persians relish pistachios, so you may want to check out what Super Sun has. They usually carry various pistachios according to grade and source.

[Servorg]

Just drop in to the Pink Orchid Bakery on Westwood Blvd. just south of Santa Monica Blvd and tell them what you are doing and ask them to hook you up with something appropriate.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pink-orchid-l...

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Pink Orchid Bakery
1927 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[la2tokyo]

Thanks!