C
Christine Dabney
Guest
Hiya folks,
I am up late at night and perusing food blogs....yes, what else is a
foodie to do late at night?
Anyway, I was reading David Lebovitz's blog (former pastry chef at
Chez Panisse) and he is talking about one of my favorite markets in
the SF bay area. Monterey Market. There is now a documentary out
about it.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2007/07/eat_at_bills.html#more
I love this market. When I am in the bay area, I am shopping there at
least once a week, if not more. Berkeley Bowl probably gets more
attention from bay area fans, but Monterey Market stands alone.
The outside courtyard is what is part of what makes this place so
magical to me. In that courtyard, are the things that the market has
special deals on, or is discounting heavily. For me, as a frugal
shopper, and for countless other shoppers of Monterey Market, it is
the outside that is a blessing. The freshest romaine that just came
in...discounted heavily to maybe 3 heads for $1. Dry farmed
tomatoes, at an incredible price. And they are RIPE. Peppers of all
colors...incredible varieties of apples...you name it. It appears
outside (which is how you tell the cashier) and it is an incredible
deal.
Inside is the same. The long counter of mushrooms, all varieties is
just amazing. Varieties I have only read about. They have truffles
in season. They have specials running on some mushrooms. It is just
intoxicating to a foodie like me.
It is like this all over the market. Sometimes there will be a rare
variety of citrus, or a variety of greens you have read about but
never seen elsewhere. You can buy it there, and you should. It will
probably be gone in a few days.
Famous chefs shop there. I know I saw Michael Wild of Bay Wolf there
one day, shopping for his restaurant. I am pretty damned sure that in
the early days of my tenure in the bay area, that I saw MFK Fisher
there, in all her lovely arrogance. At least this person I saw looked
like some of the photograghs I have seen.
And people like me shop the market. And others that are just buying
food for the week. It is a neighborhood market...but it has
extraordinary produce. And a good wine section too..
I can't say enough about this market. Yes, it has it's down spots,
but overall, it is incredible.
Those of you in the SF bay area, who haven't gone there..I urge you to
do so. Serene...GO!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't gone by the time I am
back in the bay area, I will pick you up and take you. It is MY market
of choice, above and beyond Berkeley Bowl.
I miss it so much.
Christine, anxious to get back to the bay area.
I am up late at night and perusing food blogs....yes, what else is a
foodie to do late at night?
Anyway, I was reading David Lebovitz's blog (former pastry chef at
Chez Panisse) and he is talking about one of my favorite markets in
the SF bay area. Monterey Market. There is now a documentary out
about it.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2007/07/eat_at_bills.html#more
I love this market. When I am in the bay area, I am shopping there at
least once a week, if not more. Berkeley Bowl probably gets more
attention from bay area fans, but Monterey Market stands alone.
The outside courtyard is what is part of what makes this place so
magical to me. In that courtyard, are the things that the market has
special deals on, or is discounting heavily. For me, as a frugal
shopper, and for countless other shoppers of Monterey Market, it is
the outside that is a blessing. The freshest romaine that just came
in...discounted heavily to maybe 3 heads for $1. Dry farmed
tomatoes, at an incredible price. And they are RIPE. Peppers of all
colors...incredible varieties of apples...you name it. It appears
outside (which is how you tell the cashier) and it is an incredible
deal.
Inside is the same. The long counter of mushrooms, all varieties is
just amazing. Varieties I have only read about. They have truffles
in season. They have specials running on some mushrooms. It is just
intoxicating to a foodie like me.
It is like this all over the market. Sometimes there will be a rare
variety of citrus, or a variety of greens you have read about but
never seen elsewhere. You can buy it there, and you should. It will
probably be gone in a few days.
Famous chefs shop there. I know I saw Michael Wild of Bay Wolf there
one day, shopping for his restaurant. I am pretty damned sure that in
the early days of my tenure in the bay area, that I saw MFK Fisher
there, in all her lovely arrogance. At least this person I saw looked
like some of the photograghs I have seen.
And people like me shop the market. And others that are just buying
food for the week. It is a neighborhood market...but it has
extraordinary produce. And a good wine section too..
I can't say enough about this market. Yes, it has it's down spots,
but overall, it is incredible.
Those of you in the SF bay area, who haven't gone there..I urge you to
do so. Serene...GO!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't gone by the time I am
back in the bay area, I will pick you up and take you. It is MY market
of choice, above and beyond Berkeley Bowl.
I miss it so much.
Christine, anxious to get back to the bay area.