In the Market for a Meal?

On Sunday, the Mar Vista Farmers' Market . It's hard to imagine that back in August 2006, the market had only 15 booths. Today, it boasts 70 booths filled with surprises for weekly visitors including prepared foods, desserts, cheeses, live plants and more. While it’s true that many people come to shop for fresh produce, some customers come to the market for breakfast or lunch. After all, the choices are plentiful when hunger strikes.

Let’s start with breakfast. Grab some fresh squeezed orange juice or flavored lemonades from World Famous O.J. before ordering a goat cheese, spinach and sundried tomato crepe from Crepe Dusigne. This fine purveyor of freshly made crepes has both savory and sweet varieties ranging from $4-8.50. 

Malibu Pies, a relatively new booth at the market offers traditional meat pies “without all the gunk.” Malibu’s breakfast pie includes eggs, sun dried tomatoes, feta and mozzarella cheeses and onions all wrapped up in an organic wheat crust.  It’s perfect for breakfast on the go.  

Of course, if you’re in the mood for a continental breakfast, Venice Grind has piping hot coffee available from the convenient coffee cart right across the aisle from numerous bakery options like croissants and pastries from Café Laurent or Les Delices du four Bread. Café Laurent also serves many a satisfied customer with a variety of omelets and pain perdu (true French toast).

Ready for lunch?  Start off with carne asada tacos or tuna empanadas from Larry’s Grill which are just $3 each. Wander down to Dray’s Bar-B-Que Company for some down home cooking. Pulled pork, greens with turkey, or mac and cheese will take care of that growling stomach in no time. Dray’s also has Cajun chicken link or tri-tip sandwiches for summer picnics. 

If dessert is on your agenda, Oaxacalifornia has refreshing aguas frescas to quench your thirst and satisfy a sweet tooth at the same time. Choose from chilacayote (pumpkin), Jamaica (hibiscus), horchata (rice), maracuya (passion fruit), melon (cantaloupe), piña (pineapple), or sandia (watermelon). Try the Oaxacan ice cream in flavors you won’t find at Baskin Robbins: Leche quemada (burnt milk), tuna (cactus fruit), or mamey (a native fruit of Mexico).  Oaxacalifornia has a retail location on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, but you can find their tasty treats every Sunday in Mar Vista.

Are you a snacker?  Fear not, Kettle Korn is close at hand each week offering a selection of sweet and salty popcorn. P.O.P. Candy also makes an appearance on a regular basis to satisfy the need for toffee (and there’s always a need for toffee). Plus there are so many other vendors selling a wide variety of snack-sized foods for a quick pick-me-up. 

Our successful farmers’ market has found the perfect combination of vendors to serve cooks and eaters alike. Cooks celebrate the array of fresh produce and eaters exalt the ease of waiting in line with friends and neighbors for a good meal.  Whether you need a quick bite to eat or groceries for the week, the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market has it all. 

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.