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Top 5 Markets
Being on the road for most of the year, and preferring to cook my own meals when possible, I've become acquainted with many wonderful places to buy food. Here, in no particular order, are my top 5 picks – the places with the most character, the best products, and the greatest variety.
Grand Central Market, Los Angeles
A huge warehouse of ethnic foods, good produce, and dry goods, all at extremely low prices. Many movie scenes have been shot here – of course, it's L.A.! My prepared-food picks are the Thai place, the taco stand, and the smoothie counter.
Fairway, New York
This grocery store features unusual brands and the biggest selection of breads, prepared dishes, meats and fish, cheeses, olives, teas, coffees, desserts, and anything else you can imagine. The big kicker is the expanse of produce: 4-foot-high pyramids of all varieties of fruit and vegetables, one swath of bright color after another. This has always been a great store, but since they expanded into the grocery building next door, it's become truly one-of-a-kind.
Pike Place Market, Seattle
A varied sampling of local crafts, fruits, vegetables, dry goods, gourmet condiments, fresh-cut flowers, organic foods, clothes, and curiosity shops, to name a few. This market covers several city blocks and provides employment to hundreds of workers every day. The most famous feature is the flying-fish stand; my favorite is the live music present at all times of the day. If you're lucky, you might catch a certain barbershop quartet: they're terrific.
Whole Foods, in any big city across the country
Mmm, mmm, mmm. This is where I go when I want organic food of any kind, imaginative desserts, bulk grains and snacks, superior vegetarian dishes, or tasty cheese, prepared soup, or olives from a top-of-the-line olive bar. The deli section is unbeatable. This store offers a thorough selection of vitamins and body products, as well as cards, cookbooks, and flowers. They have everything!
The Italian Market, Philadelphia
I've only been here once, because it's kind of far from my apartment, but it's a great place to go if you want a distinctive cultural experience. In addition to streetside stands of cheap fruits and vegetables, and fresh meats and sausages and seafood of all kinds, you can eat more types of Italian food than you'd ever imagine existed. From pizza to pastries, from two-story murals to earthy Philadelphia accents, this market is one complete package. Nearby, you can find two of the most famous purveyors of Philly cheese-steaks: Pat's and Gino's, rivals to the core.
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