Kim G.
Yelp
Fabulous Farmers market in the heart of the City, located on the North Park blocks on PSU Campus. The trees form a canopy so even on a hot day there is shade, and in the rain, there is protection.
Produce is fresh and abundant reflecting what is in season. On my recent visit, peppers of every color, size, shape and heat were lining the stalls. One vendor even roasts them onsite and sells buy the pound, saving me the time and trouble of roasting. Buy them!
The selection at this market is wide and varied: fresh meats and fish (duck, rabbit, elk, crab, salmon, oysters, etc); goat cheese, fresh eggs, homemade pasta, salsa, chocolate, jellies and jams, wine, vinegars, olive oil, and gorgeous affordable bouquets of flowers.
The bread and bakery items are everywhere so if you are a carb-a-phobe, consider yourself forewarned! Fresh loaves of fig and walnut swirl bread, scones loaded with berries, nuts or chocolate; fresh pies overflowing with ripe fruit; tarts and cookies and cakes - oh, my!
My favorites: The Market Gourmet (aka The Tart Lady) located in the middle of the south side. They offer several savory tarts filled with in season veggies like mushroom and Gorgonzola, potatoes leak, chicken pot pie, and sweet tarts like apple, sweet potatoe, pecan. They have several varieties of cookies, a daily quiche, and a delicious spinach pie which is basically Spanakopita in a pie shape (spinach, feta, egg.) I buy the individual savory tarts and freeze them. On nights where I don't feel like cooking, I pop one in the twister oven and serve with a fresh arugula salad. Perfect meal.
My other favorite is Mio's Delectables, a booth loaded with Japanese inspired sweats. This is Bakery meets Art. Her creations are so beautiful, so artfully designed that you want to photograph and frame them! But don't let this stop you from eating them - they taste as good as they look! Her tiny macaroons and shortbread cookies with flavors like green tea are packed with flavor. Fresh fruit is layered on tarts giving the appearance of a rose. Every item is a work of art. If you are having guests for dinner and want to finish the meal on a high note, buy a selection of her individual desserts and share. You and your guests will be delighted!
The prepared foods are just as good. Lines of people wait at Pine Street Bisquits at the North end. There is a line for a reason! Their seasonal adult pop-tarts are worth the calorie splurge! There is a Korean truck selling steamed bun creations that are wonderful. Gyros, pizza, bagels, sausages - the list goes on and on!
If you are on a mission and want to walk with purpose to pick up specific items and be on your way, go early! Between 8 and 9:30. After that, it's packed and it takes patience to make your way around the square. People are walking slowly, stopping frequently for tastings and samples, meandering, taking it all in - as they should! It's as much an experience as a shopping venue. So if you don't like crowds or are going just to shop, go early.
Fabulous Farmers market with delicious, amazing offerings of every season!