At Smorgasburg
La Buena Gazpacho from chef Alexandra Raij is so crazy delicious, I wish I had had gallons to enjoy over the Summer.
Perhaps a date night to one of her restaurants, Txikito and El Quinto Pino should be on our agenda…
Restaurants »La Buena Gazpacho
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Spend a Couple Hours »Renegade Craft Fair
in McCarren Park June 11-12
It’s been a few years since I’ve attended the Renegade Craft Fair and I must say it has grown.
Even if some things can be repetitive (how many silkscreened tees with silly octopus on it does one person need?), the wares have gotten much better and varied too.
We found lots of things we liked and even walked away with a couple things: an awesome cheeseburger onesie for Van and a tiger embroidery from Coral and Tusk that will make a lovely gift for someone special (who will remain unnamed in case s/he’s ready this).
But whether it’s adorable ceramics, impressive original art, or one incredible necklace with a beaded antique crest (which was outside my meager budget) there’s likely something here for everybody.
It’s a nice way to spend the afternoon and will be up tomorrow from 11-7.
Be sure to stop by the free photo both!
See more: Spend a Couple Hours Fairs/Markets Greenpoint
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Posted on June 11, 2011
Spend a Couple Hours »Brooklyn Flea Part 2
27 North 6th St., Williamsburg, Sunday 10-5
Brooklyn Flea Market week two and Jim’s plan to “eat everything” was not too far off from what happened. We skipped stuff we’d already had either at the market or elsewhere which still left plenty to get full on. Good thing we had at least some restraint and split everything…
Beginning with one amazing donut (you know, breakfast first!). It came from Dough, a Cobble Hill shop that features unique flavors like Hibiscus and Blood Orange. I decided to try a simple glazed yeast however, to get a general feel for their goods. I hate to say it, but it rivals Peter Pan. I can’t wait to have another next week.
But the deliciousness didn’t stop there, no! Next we were on to Mile End‘s smoked cured brisket sandwich. A marvelous and simple sandwich that is juicy, smokey, and meaty. Do not skip the mustard, it adds a great kick. One of the best savory dishes at the market.
Asia Dog offers a large menu of unique Asian inspired toppings, we had a temporary lapse in restraint and went for the pork belly cucumber. It was intense. Maybe too intense. Next time I’d opt for the bahn mi hot dog or another less fat pork topped choice.
After all this we still were hungry (the key is not to eat before hand) and I was on the fence about making our last sandwich the Red Hook Lobster Roll, just because of the comparatively high 15.00 price tag.. but with Shaun’s urging that it was totally worth it, we relented and ordered Maine style. It was incredible, over flowing with big lobster chunks that tasted fresh and with just a hint of mayonnaise – the key to a good roll. Too many are just loads of mayo with tiny bits of lobster hiding among the celery. Here they do it right. Another best bite contender, especially with the summer months coming.
To wash everything down we tried Brooklyn Soda Works Root Beer, a spicy, none too sweet beverage that will quench the thirst even if you dislike soda.
I couldn’t help but get another jar of marmalade (this time grapefruit hibiscus) since my lemon vanilla is almost used up and we bit the bullet on the insane price tag ($7) for some Ragged Butte Bison Jerky to take home. It’s pretty awesome, but I don’t think I can rationizle speniding that kind of money on dried meat again.
Thank goodness this thing is only once a week.
See more: Spend a Couple Hours Fairs/Markets Food Williamsburg
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Posted on April 11, 2011
Spend a Couple Hours »Brooklyn Flea
Sundays 10-5 at 27 North 6th St.
I am so happy Brooklyn Flea has decided to set up within walking distance this summer. Not too psyched that it’s on gravel which made stroller pushing impossible – but lesson learned – next time we will use our carrier.
There were the usual selections of vintage goods and silk screened tees, with the dapper vintage tie seller Travis Sylvester selling particularly tempting bow ties at reasonable prices. But I was mostly indulging in the food stuffs.
For on the spot eating I enjoyed the Frgal Cakes, a pear crumble pizza of sorts that are traditional in Czechoslovakia. Also excellent was the homemade ricotta, arugula and fresh carved prosciutto bruschettas from Salvatore Brooklyn.
I brought Jim home a merguez sandwich from Brooklyn Bangers which was nice and flavorful with an incredible kicky sauce. A refreshing warm weather watermelon juice allowed me to almost ignore the bitter sudden gusts of winds that shook the proceedings.
For take home yumminess, I opted for Lime and Pickle mayonnaise from Sam Mason’s Empire Mayonnaise, which I haven’t tried yet, but expect to be wonderful and a jar of vanilla lemon marmalade from Momofuku Milk Bar and Friends which we just enjoyed on warm English muffins. So delicious and summery.
Can’t wait to return to try what I missed, including the Mile End smoked meat sandwich and local beef jerky.
See more: Spend a Couple Hours Fairs/Markets Food Shops Vintage Williamsburg
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Posted on April 3, 2011
Places to Visit »Mercat Boqueria
in Barcelona
If you’re ever in Barcelona, you absolutely must – must – visit the Mercat Boqueria. Even if, like me, you’ve spent the previous night like a scene from the Exorcist with food poisoning, you’ll want to man up, drag yourself out of bed and go.
It’s vibrant, bustling and everywhere you look is a photograph waiting to be taken. Food nerds will wander around in wonder and shiver with excitement at the wild world of edible crustaceans, the rainbow of (in my case, life saving) fruits and juices, the parade of candies and chocolates, and the miles of sweet, sweet Iberian ham.
There are spots to sit and eat at, which you might be familiar with if you watched Andrew Zimmern chow down on bull testicles during his trip, but sadly I was not quite well enough for such adventures. I could not resist the ham, though, cut straight from the leg, a culinary treat that is unparalleled. The market has, at least in some form, been around since 1217 (!) and the official structure was built in 1853.
Click here for the rest of Mercat Boqueria
See more: Places to Visit Europe Fairs/Markets Spanish
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Posted on January 24, 2010
Spend a Couple Hours »New Amsterdam Market
at the South Street Seaport
I ‘m giving you ample lead time to plan on attending the next New Amsterdam Market (Dec. 20) because I don’t want any of you fellow food lovers out there to miss out on such a unique, lovely, and delicious event. I do have one word of advice, though: do not fill up on Anella’s brunch burger before hand (as superb as it is), because if you’re like me you’ll have no will power against the tasty treats laid out before you (fresh shucked oysters, how could I say no?!) and those foods you do manage to say no to, you’ll later regret not pigging out on.
Things we did try that stand out? Said oysters from the friendly W&T Seafood stand (we opted for the Moon Shoal), pulled pork on crisps from Jimmy’s, a lemon tart pie, and ice cream from the Bent Spoon.
Things I will go back for? Lobster rolls (despite a crazy long line), chocolate black truffle caramels, a black skinned duck, perhaps some balls (testicles), and pretty much everything else I missed the first time around. See you there!
Click here for the rest of New Amsterdam Market
See more: Spend a Couple Hours Fairs/Markets Food Lower Manhattan
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Posted on December 13, 2009
Spend a Couple Hours »Brooklyn Flea, DUMBO
Sundays at 22 Water Street
It’s taken me years to make it to the Brooklyn Flea market, and we really couldn’t have chosen a nicer Autumn day for it. The golden sun over the bridge really brought out the hues in all the Native American blankets, fresh baked macaroons and taxidermy that abounded.
I had very little cash on me, which was probably a good thing for my finances, because I could have surely found lots of vintage items for myself and Jim. For the five I had in my pocket I did walk away with a great girl soul pop CD compiled by einsteinorockafeller@gmail. On another trip I’d be sure to bring more money and an appetite – the chocolates, baked goods, and lobster rolls all looked delicious.
The market takes place every weekend, Sunday in Dumbo, Saturday in Fort Greene, but make sure that if you are driving or taking a long train ride that you’ve looked up the correct Brooklyn Flea market. We ended up initially driving to a lonely lot in Park Slope with not much more than incense burners being hocked on the asphalt.
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See more: Spend a Couple Hours Dumbo Fairs/Markets Shops
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Posted on November 29, 2009
Places to Visit »Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Show
It's easy to describe the Brimfield Flea Market in southern Massachusetts as eight football fields long, but it's really difficult to keep that finite image in mind when you're faced with the reality of its overwhelming enormity. You just have to dig in (preferably with comfortable footwear) and weave through as much as you can bear; undoubtedly you'll emerge with something unique and special. In the four hours that we spent, I think we managed to see a little less that half of everything, but we still brought back a bag full of fun goodies (here are a number of photos we took that give a pretty good sense of what it's like).
Costume jewelry is everywhere and it's usually reasonably priced, and don't forget to take home some Pakistani jingly necklaces and great African beads – though be sure to barter for the latter, different tents sell the same items for drastically different prices. There are some clothes, though having gotten there on the second-to-last day, I think it's safe to assume a number of industry people had already picked over the selection pretty well.
One of our favorite purchases was an ogre/naked lady mug by Jim Rumph (who you can read more about in this week's style icon section) and some amazing old gag gifts from the 1950's. These Korean War era Tijuana Bible type comics and off color gag boxes were all from a mind-blowing collection a guy purchased when an old Philadelphian shop went out of business. We spent lots of time going through the boxes and boxes of zany adult novelties on sale (I posted a number of photos on RC).
And speaking of adult, we found some spectacular (but way too pervy) pen and ink drawings that we only declined to buy because they were too hard core and we were concerned that it might give anyone who came to our house the wrong weirdo vibe. The best thing about them was that the artist refused to sign any of his work out of fear that his mother might see them some day.
Midway through the concourse is the food area, and believe me you'll want to rest your feet and refuel by the time you reach it; the lobster roll was acceptable and some guy was singing Jimmy Buffett songs. Make sure you drink something to stay hydrated too.
Other tips: park at the small white church, they have a bathroom, a cookie stand, and their lot is the easiest to get out of; also, bring some bags – we had our trusty Baggu and a couple of canvas totes (designed by the talented Adam Fedderly) which made carrying stuff around a lot easier; you can take photos – but if someone looks cranky, ask permission first; and just make sure to buy something if you really love it. Not only will it probably not be there when you return for it, the place is so big that you may never be able to even find the vendor again.