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Yasaman Persian Bakery - one of my favorites - 1 Jan 2012
Depending on who's behind the counter, it can be a little daunting shopping at Yasaman. Most of the women who serve are distant and seldom smile. Get over it. You're there for the best walnut macaroons you've ever eaten. read more...
Festive presents weird and wacky at World Market - 12 Dec 2011
World Market is an oddity. On the same level in the Chevy Chase Pavilion as Starbucks and the escalator to the Red Line Metro, its most public face, through large glass display windows, is not much different from Pottery Barn in the same location.
But penetrate the space, push past the hyacinth-reed woven chairs, the pillar candles and Asian pottery and in the back you'll find a bizarre food market. And a great source for stocking fillers... read more...
Eden Center unscrambled - one of my favorite markets - 26 Oct 2011
If you want a trip to Vietnam without leaving the area, head out to the Eden Center on Wilson Boulevard at Seven Corners, just before Route 50 and Route 7 intersect. You won't hear English spoken. The music blaring from the outdoor speakers comes from a local Vietnamese radio station. It's packed with Vietnamese tailors, jewelers, video stores, Chinese medicine practitioners and more. This is the list of food-related outlets, to eat at or to buy ingredients for your home-cooked Vietnamese feast. read more...
Cornucopia - one of my favorite markets - 4 May 2011
Sicilian Ibraim ("Ibo") Selmy trained as a geologist. Luckily for us, his interest was more in people and food than in rocks. So in 2003, after 15 years in Washington, the Palermo-born Italian opened Cornucopia in Bethesda, a food store and cafe to sell the specialties of his native land. "It's about people, sharing time with them." read more...
Farmers' markets opening up again - 18 Mar 2011
Farmers' markets are beginning to open again. Mark down 10 April, and every Sunday till 20 November thereafter, for Bethesda Central Farm Market. read more...
Greek & Middle East markets - 2 Mar 2011
There are probably more specifically Greece-focused markets in Baltimore than in Washington. But Middle East groceries generally stock a wide range of Greek products. read more...
Halah butchers - 17 Feb 2011
You won't have to travel too far to find a good Halal butcher in the area. Some chefs reckon that a Halal chicken will produce a much more tender roast than a regular chicken. read more...
The Butcher's Block by Robert Weidmaier - one of my favorite markets - 10 Feb 2011
Robert Weidmaier's favorite pantry supplies are all on sale at his Butcher's Block in Alexandria. Even better, Weidmaier, owner and chef of Marcel's, Brasserie Beck and now Brabo and The Tasting Room next door to Butcher's Block, A Market, has filled his meat counter with a splendid selection, from an exceptional pork belly to veal cheeks and the more familiar cuts of beef. read more...
Lola's Bakery & Cafe - 26 Jan 2011
This small café gets a mention so those homesick or nostalgic for Argentinian food can find a refuge. It makes its hot chocolate with real chocolate. Which goes well with its Argentinian pastries and desserts like churros and Dulce de Leche. read more...
The Bayou Bakery - 13 Jan 2011
Renowned pastry chef David Guas has opened his dream, a Southern pastries-desserts-and-savouries community gathering place, The Bayou Bakery. A New Orleans native, the ex-DC Coast pastry chef delivers southern hospitality, along with an array of sugar-steeped goodies like light and fluffy beignets.
But it's not all sweet. This son of a Cuban father is also making Cuban pressed sandwiches and Southern savory dishes. read more...
Wheaton Mall's Bubble Tea - 11 Jan 2011
I'm a sucker for bubble tea. It's in a rarity-value class by itself for being something we consume whose ingredients have absolutely no relationship with each other. Sweet tea and pea-size tapioca beads? Ya godda be kiddin' me. It's weird. But wonderful. So it's good to see an outlet that has been so successful it's more than doubled in size. Bubble Tea Cafe in the Wheaton Mall began as a small stall run by a young couple in the middle of the concourse. Now it's evolved into a permanent space upstairs, bustling with people behind the counter. read more...
Mancini's - 11 Jan 2011
My idea of a scone is a simple, warm cloud of light dough piled high with strawberry jam and clotted cream. But those who prefer their scones studded with dried fruit swear by the scones at Mancini, the cafe bakery. read more...
Festive celebrations - something different & where to buy it - 15 Dec 2010
Want to spice up your New Year festivities? Try one of the traditions from another part of the world. read more...
Let's Meat on the Avenue - one of my favorites - 23 Nov 2010
Let's Meat on the Avenue is always adding interesting items to its stock. If kangaroo meat tickles your fancy, here's your place. Me, I prefer veal osso buco, which here comes from free range beasts scampering about in Canada. But Steve Gatward, the butcher-owner, also stocks milk from Trickling Springs Creamery and rich Amish butter. Try him for a flavorsome and happy festive turkey. read more...
Amphora Bakery - one of my favorites - 11 Nov 2010
For sweeth-tooth treats, it's hard to beat Amphora Bakery for whimsically decorated cakes, cupcakes and cookies. And for delicious European patisseries, baked goods and breads of all sorts. read more...
York Castle Tropical Ice Cream - 26 Oct 2010
This is one of my favorite spots not just for its exotic ice cream flavors. Fall is the best time of year for one of them - Pumpkin.
Owner Caroline Tay is also one of my favorite market people. Like me, she thinks Washingtonians should venture beyond the diamond for their culinary adventures. After all, her ice cream parlor is just at the top of 16th Street where it meets Georgia Avenue - a straight shot from the 7th Street NW Convention Center.
. read more...
The best of the area's markets - 12 Oct 2010
Here's my personal directory of the best of the area's markets, bakeries, supermarkets, and other food sources, listed under type and nationality and linked to a full article.
Of course, there are hundreds more around the capital. But these are the ones I believe worth a mention. If you have any favorites you'd like to see included or reviewed, email me. read more...
Filipino markets & finds - 8 Sep 2010
There are wonderful, unfamiliar to many, goodies to discover at Filipino markets. read more...
Wagshal's Delicatessen - 26 Aug 2010
If you don't know about Wagshal's meat department and Pam Ginsberg, its wonderful butcher who can get you anything, then you're missing an important source. But Wagshal's deli a few doors down is a worth a visit not just for its supplies but because it's a step back into the 1950s. read more...
Supermarkets bring the farm in - 26 Aug 2010
Matt Fuchs emailed me about a story on his blog Fuchs Foodie on supermarkets bringing the farm onto the lot outside. It's a great idea that will benefit shoppers if it spreads. read more...
The lunch shift is over and chef Peter Smith, owner of PS 7’s restaurant is surrounded by gin. No, he’s not relaxing over a drink. The gin is in bowls in an pre-formed state. It’s the mash, a mix of herbs and berries and peels and roots that Smith has worked out how to use in his food as flavorings.
Chew On This: Your first 'Duh' of the year...
Eggplant
Baked beans - the musical fruit
Ribollita - wondersoup or wodge?
Yasaman Persian Bakery - one of my favorites
Breads - a good chew
Duck & goose
A festive 'Special': Foie Gras Creme Caramel
Festive presents weird and wacky at World Market
Walnut oil
The perfect Yorkshire pudding
Chew On This: The acai berry diet can only thin your wallet...
The Queen Mum's favorite cake
West Indian Black Cake
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