July » 2010 » Markets of New York

Photo of the Day- July 30, 2010: Andre’s Tavern Vintage Wine Items

Walker Patent Corkscrew with a Boar Tusk Handle Capped and studded in sterling silver (American, c. 1900 - 1920)

Andre Burgos’ shop at the Antiques Garage, Andre’s Tavern Vintage Wine Items, will transport you back in time. Imagine a wood paneled library, circa 1909, leather and cloth-bound books on the shelves around you, a generous brown club chair, and a bottle of port that needs to breathe. You pick up your brand new boar tusk corkscrew with the sterling silver studs, and you proceed to open the bottle. The ruby liquid swirls in your glass as you settle in to take your first peak at the brilliant illustrations by Maxfield Parrish in the new version of Arabian Nights.

Fast forward 100 years, but stay focused on that boar tusk cork screw. A Walker patent corkscrew with sterling silver caps and studded boar tusk handle (American, 1900 – 1920), it is absolutely stunning. It is just one of many brilliant and beautiful wine-related items that Mr. Burgos brings to the Antiques Garage each weekend. He has many different kinds of corkscrews, as well as antique European pocket knives, all wonderfully designed and in excellent condition. The French decanting cradles and English Sheffield bottle coasters will turn anyone into a wine lover at the mere thought of using such lovely accoutrements.

Come meet Mr. Burgos in person on Saturdays and Sundays on the first floor of the Antiques Garage. Or visit Andre’s Tavern online. Just looking at his treasures will help you savor your next glass of wine as if it were the best one you’ve ever had.

Photo of the Day – July 29, 2010: Another Work In Progress

I remember the days when my sisters and I would sit on the living room floor playing Monopoly for hours on end. I was always the banker, and I always cheated. Those were nostalgic, care-free days (and I hope my sisters have forgiven me by now).

Another Work in Progress evokes those sentiments with spiral notebooks, sketch books, note pads, treasure boxes, and wall clocks made from old board games. Proprietor and artisan Dara Hymowitz collects vintage board games of all sorts and creates these handmade works of usable art. A notebook made from a Bingo card would be a perfect gift for Grandma. I think we all know someone who would appreciate the Scrabble board wall clock. Dara cleverly places the clock hands in the center of a Twister spinner to make a conversation piece of a wall clock (pictured).

She also creates beautiful hand-bound and spiral-bound books, as well as stationery, and mini book jewelry. So if books are your passion, you just might find the one to fill with your hopes and dreams, just like we did when we were 12.

You can find Another Work In Progress weekends at Artists and Fleas in Williamsburg, or visit her Etsy shop online.

I Got Your Hot Pickle Right Here

Local artisanal pickle company Rick’s Picks has launched a new pickle product: Rick’s Picks Hotties: Spicy Sriracha-Habanero Crinkle-Cut Pickle Chips. I’m here to tell you that these little devils live up to their name.

I like to put hot pickled things on normally bland turkey sandwiches, and I thought these Hotties would be good. They were great! I tasted a lovely base of spicy flavor before my mouth caught fire. James and I drank a gallon of water each because we were out of milk. As usual with water and spicy foods, it didn’t help at all; we just had to pant and wait it out. And then we went back in for more.

But I confess that I’m a wimp when it comes to hot spicy foods. I like it in small doses, and then my tongue raises the white flag. So I thought I’d bring in some other tasters to help round out my assessment. Fortunately, we were hosting a party for July 4th. I put the Hotties into my favorite Take Me Homeware “Saucy” bowl for maximum effect, with a comment sheet next to it. Here are some of the comments from our guests and fellow pickle tasters:

“I’m a hot/spicy guy who loves hot/spicy anything. These were great!”

“The hot pickles were fantastic. Loved them. Not for sissies!!!”

“Too hot for Texas!”

“Delicious! Perfect combination of hot and sweet. Not for wussies!”

“Hmmm…That’s a hot pickle. OH! THAT’S A HOT PICKLE!”

For anyone who can stand the heat, I definitely recommend picking up a jar of Rick’s Picks Hotties for your kitchen. Wussies and Sissies – and apparently Texans – should beware.

Rick’s Picks products are available at the Union Square and Grand Army Plaza Greenmarkets and the Brooklyn Flea, as well as lots of great food stores across the country, including the Manhattan Fruit Exchange in Chelsea Market. Rick’s pickles are not only tasty and innovative; they are a living, briny tribute to the great pickle tradition of New York City.

HEY! Hotties are the Pickle of the Month! Save $1 on your order on RicksPicksNYC.com!

Photo of the Day – July 27, 2010: Glassblower Kiva Ford

Teensy Handblown Glass Bottle by Kiva Ford

As we all know, markets of any kind can be scrappy affairs, with crowds of people carrying unwieldy bags filled with bulky purchases, having a nosh, pushing strollers, leading dogs, and generally making their way through the market vendors. I buy my eggs at the very end of my trips to the Abingdon Square market because it’s a bit of a gauntlet to get them all home in one piece.

The Spring Bust Craftacular in May was just such a vibrant scene, made even more so by a DJ spinning thumping tunes. So when I came across the incredibly delicate work by glass artisan Kiva Ford, I was amazed by what I saw.

Ford is a professional scientific glassblower by day. In his free time, he applies his technical skills to his passion for glass art and design. At the Craftacular, his table was filled with the teensiest of fine glass vases. The one pictured is actually about the size of a quarter. Each one is colorful, unique and perfect. His portfolio extends well beyond miniatures to elaborate goblets, the likes of which you would expect to have seen on a banquet table at Versaille, and brilliant lampwork glass sculptures. Ford’s prices range from $20 for a tiny vase to thousands for a set of handmade dragon goblets. The very idea that you can find craftsmanship of this type and quality in this day and age is nothing short of astounding.

Ford sells his wares from time to time at the craft markets in New York and New Jersey, and this week he launched Kiva Glass on Etsy.com with his sister, Andrea Ford Quinones, who is the creative force behind their jewelry collection. Check out their fine pieces and start planning your next elaborate dinner party!

Even the Heat Can’t Dampen the Fun at the Union Square Market

Yesterday’s heat advisory dampened t-shirts all over town, but it certainly did not dampen the energy at the Union Square’s Saturday Greenmarket! The fruits, vegetables, seafood, bread, honey, jam and so much more remained cool and fresh under the tents. James and I were out on our Summer Markets Book Tour, spending the day with the Greenmarkets/GrowNYC team and meeting market shoppers from across New York City and the world – Australia, England, Spain, and Mexico!

I’ve posted 10 of my favorite photos of the day, taken by James, featuring the energy and colors of the markets. We even enjoyed an extended visit from a butterfly, who landed on one of the chefs from the Natural Gourmet Institute as they prepared a food demo of blueberry cornmeal pancakes. I guess even a butterfly can’t resist a home made pancake.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi, especially my friends Chris and Lucinda, Joseph and Miss Molly the Min Pin (pictured), Lauren and Lauren, and Jen! And a huge thank you to Market Manager Tara and her team, and to GrowNYC for your hospitality yesterday and for your wonderful service to the city! Follow Union Square Greenmarket on Twitter (@unsqgreenmarket).

And now I’m off to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market for the afternoon! It’s going to be another wonderful day at the Markets of New York City!

Basis Good Food For All Brings Fresh Local Food to the City Streets

I first met the people of Basis Good Food For All at the New Amsterdam Market last year. I was impressed with the quality and variety of the foods they had in their market stall, including fresh produce, creamy dairy products, beautiful brown eggs, and jars of golden honey that is among the best I’ve ever tasted. But I was also surprised by their reasonable prices. Eating locally produced, fully traceable foods is something to aspire to, but one of the biggest challenges to this pursuit is the fact that it is quite expensive at this stage in the Food Movement. That said, I firmly believe that Basis is leading the way to the next stage, which is to make this healthful lifestyle accessible to everyone.

In their own words, “Basis is a mission-driven company based in New York City committed to good food for all. We are passionate about good food that is traditional, localized, and 100% traceable. We partner with producers and local communities to sell good food at affordable prices.”

That really says it all. So when I heard about their neighborhood market yesterday on 48th Street and 8th Avenue, just a block off of Times Square, I went for a visit. The market is one of several activities of a new partnership between Basis and real-estate company Stonehenge Partners to educate consumers and bring good food from family farms to the community in and around Stonehenge properties throughout New York City.

The two small tents were filled with the same beautiful, healthy products that I’ve seen at the New Amsterdam Market. The clientele was a mix of neighborhood residents buying fresh groceries (veggies, fruit, milk, cheese, butter) and tourists picking up snacks (yogurt, plums, peaches). It was great to see neighbors discovering the market on their way home from work. There’s something about coming across a farmers market in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a mid-town cross street that makes you stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and gather some juicy tomatoes for dinner.

Basis was also voted Best Grocery Delivery by New York Magazine earlier this year. So while it’s wonderful to go see them at the markets, you can have your fresh, local groceries delivered to your home or office (see the Basis website for details about delivery service and upcoming events).

Luckily for us all, Basis will return to the New Amsterdam Market on Saturday, July 24 from 11AM – 4PM on South Street between Beekman Street and Peck Slip. Get there early for the best selection – that honey sells out quickly!

Photo of the Day – July 22, 2010: Lavender Sachets, New from Nordea Soaperie!

New Product: Embroidered Lavender Sachets from Nordea's Soaperie

If you haven’t tried the handmade soaps and beauty products from Nordea Soaperie, you are missing out on some fine quality soaps, body butters, lip balms, and more. Proprietor Nordea McKoy uses artisanal soap making processes with incredible care and imagination. I love the scents she creates, including cucumber/aloe and fig. I haven’t tried the blue musk yet, but I look forward to it. The “Oh What A Man” body bar is scented with sandalwood and a hint of lime, which is appealing to both men and women alike.

And now McKoy has focused her olfactory expertise on a new product line: lavender scented sachets for your drawers, linen closet, or inside your pillow. She uses lavender essential oil, which makes these sachets very fragrant. The scent will last a good, long time. She embroiders each cotton muslin sachet by hand with sweet retro images, including Wally Whale (pictured), Lonely Robot, Moon Man and Lovebird. You can purchase them at the markets around New York City (check Nordea Soaperie’s Upcoming events page) and on Etsy.com.

It seems to be lavender week at Markets of New York City. Maybe that’s why I’ve been sleeping so well!

Photo of the Day – July 21, 2010: Store With No Walls

Shiny clutch from Store With No Walls at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

Whether you are looking for a fabulous vintage designer dress and Ferragamo shoes, or a striking hat and a matching sparkly handbag, your first stop simply has to be Store With No Walls at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market. This boutique en plein air is filled with carefully collected items, and proprietors Anthony and Janet will help you find the perfect pieces for you. I have seen everything from a Christian Dior trench coat to a fine selection of suits and sparkly dresses, as well as unique vintage purses, clutches, and jewelry. They have long-time celebrity clients, and stylists come by all the time for inspiration. Anthony and Janet select quality items and price them to sell.

As Janet says, “We will always have something here for you, whether you’re from Park Avenue or a park bench!”

Come to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea this Sunday, and I’ll be there to point you towards the vintage treasures at Store With No Walls!

Hell’s Kitchen Flea: West 39th St. between 9th and 10th Avenue, 9AM – 6PM Saturdays and Sundays

Photo of the Day – July 20, 2010: Lavender By The Bay

Lavender By The Bay brings the charms of the French countryside to the heart of New York City. They grow twenty varieties of lavender on 10 acres of farmland in East Marion, Long Island, and they bring their wonderful smelling piles of tiny blooms to the Union Square Greenmarket. I picked up a fresh big bunch of lavender for our office on Monday, and it smells amazing. This morning I pressed it lightly between my hands to release the scent, and my hands smell like fresh lavender.

The fields and bunches of lavender attract the ever more endangered honeybees, who produce golden, delicious lavender honey. You can pick up a jar from Lavender By The Bay at the market, as well as beautifully scented sachets to put in your drawers or in your pillowcase for sweet lavender dreams.

Photo of the Day – July 19, 2010: HeartFelt 4 Kids

Embroidered Bamboo Felt Child's Cape from Heart Felt 4 Kids

Just look at this amazing work. HeartFelt 4 Kids creates heirloom-quality handmade children’s clothing, as well as teddy bears, pillows, backpacks, and more. As if that weren’t enough, designer Nadine Johnson uses natural fiber wool and eco-friendly bamboo felt in beautiful colors and patterns. This yellow cape, seen at the Brooklyn Indie Market, is remarkable in the attention to detail and the quality craftsmanship. The embroidered blue jays and soft felt floral lining will keep your little girl warm and stylish. And it’s so beautiful that she will want to keep it for her own wee ones in, say, 30 or 35 years (am I right?).

Johnson also makes matching jackets for your pup (HeartFelt 4 Dogs). The entire collection is artistic, adorable and utterly irresistible.