In this section of my blogs, I am going to talk about all the places I go to in search of the best bites of food. Whether it’s in Los Angeles or in any other city I visit, this is the section where you can find my recommendations.
Since my goal is to get folks into the kitchen and cook with as many whole ingredients as possible, I want to share my favorite shopping spot – the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. I love talking to farmers about their growing practices, and seeing some of the chefs from the trendy farm-to-table restaurants do their weekly shop. Add this to your weekly routine, or if you’re visiting from out of town, be sure to stop by.
Chefs are celebs to me. I love to see a small cluster of restaurant folk menu planning based on what inspires them at the market. Recently, I watched one pick up a honeynut squash and rattle off a recipe he concocted right there on the spot. It inspired me to do the same. Pick up a vegetable and think of what I want to to do with it. This is not limited to a farmer’s market, by the way.
The energy is unmatched. It’s not like shopping at the typical fluorescent-lit market that pipes in a good ‘80s and ‘90s mix. You see people of all ages, you’re outside getting your steps in, and you’re greeting farmers who have gotten to know you and have kept your family fed through the years. It’s just a special place.
So, if you have one in your town, check it out! And if you’re visiting LA, I highly recommend stopping by and buying some of the best strawberries you might ever have.