eat oakland

Jack London Square Farmer's Market & Artisan Marketplace - Oakland, CA

NARRATIVE
Last Sunday I woke up to another week pondering my stolen car situation and was so thankful that friends were having dinner that evening. I wanted to see what ingredients I could buy by the water. I zipped down in the insurance rental to see how I could fill my ingredients for the Moosewood Inn Stuffed Cabbage recipe. It was a sublime early East Bay autumn day filled with sun and I walked over the brick street with my bag among the booths feeling connected.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Jack London Square Farmers Market
Water Street between Franklin and Washington Streets
Oakland, CA
http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/events.php

HOURS
Sun: 10am-2pm

WARES
California farmers, treat sellers, craftspersons, and chefs mingle along the Oakland waterfront to sell everything from Afghan breads and spreads to kettle corn to beautiful produce and flowers and jewelry and handcrafts.

PRICE RANGE
Inexpensive - Decadent. Depending on your ability to restrain impulse. I went for cabbage and left with earrings, bread, and spreads that were not on my list. I was also tempted by a Fig balsamic something or other that I finally tore my eyes from.

SUMMARY
My goal for the market was to find ingredients for the nuts and rice filling for the cabbage...oh, and the cabbage for the recipe. I veered toward the crafts portion of the market first, just to see the wares and immediately fell in love with an elegant pair of silver drop earrings with lapis lazuli on them. I engaged the craftswoman about her work, because I saw the prices were ridiculously reasonable. (I ended up spending $35 on two pairs of earrings. She specializes in simple silver jewelry with gemstone accents. When I find her card, I will include her name here.)

I asked her to hold them for me and went to the ATM to get another 20-spot and returned. Her daughter was charming and it was pleasant to find out that the artist was a former fellow neighbor in Alameda. We spoke about engaging youth in positive ways and I just felt kinship.

After bidding her adieu, I strolled south and found myself engaged by the fountain and saw a setup for a cooking demonstration - this was new for me. I had arrived too late to enjoy it, but made a mental note for next time.

The peaches were fat, round, golden globes, but I let them slip by. Some hanging plants reminded me that I would like more for my apartment, and then the Afghan bread seller was to my right, spreading a lovely chutney on a sample for other shoppers.
He offered me some and I tried to resist, ate the lovely pumpkin-filled bread and left with it, cheese spread, and a roasted tomato pesto that eventually added to the tomato sauce of my stuffed cabbage. Mmmmmmm.

The market was filled with other strollers, but definitely coming to an end. It was after 2 and sellers were breaking down their booths and making their last bargains. I vowed to return the next weekend, earlier.

On my way back to the car I saw a father and son, both dreaded, chasing each other and giggling on the green by the water. They were silhouetted by the sailboats, yachts, and sunlight reflecting off the water. It was a gorgeous Sunday.

SERVICE
The booths are filled with friendly merchants to offer you advice, suggestions, samples and neighborliness. Some drivers come from 4-5 hours away to visit Oakland and empty their trucks of produce. Some artisans are your next door neighbors.

REST ROOMS
Duck into the many restaurants' rest rooms found along the route. It's an easygoing atmosphere.

posted by wrki @ 10:53 AM