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Guest Market: Budapest’s Gouba Sunday Bazaar

Market Shoppers in Budapest

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Market Shoppers in Budapest

I am very excited to have a crackerjack international reporting team sending me photos and stories from markets all over the world, and so I will be featuring Guest Markets every month or so on Markets of New York City.

Our first Guest Market is the Gouba Sunday Bazaar in Budapest, Hungary!

Recently, three of our very dear friends moved from New York’s West Village, their home for many years, to seek adventure in Budapest, Hungary. Ami and George Kroon, and their perfect puppy Asta have submitted these photographs of the Gouba Sunday Bazaar.

Each Sunday from spring through fall, the Gouba Bazaar opens in downtown Budapest. It features a wide array of handmade and antiques sellers, as well as a food market with fresh breads, coffee, and and even truffles. The market is proud of its traditional crafters, including wood workers, jewelry makers, fiber and felt artists.

The Gouba Market takes place in the Gozsdu Courtyard in the city center and historic Jewish Quarter, “a few minutes’ walk from the Great Synagogue, Deak Square, and Liszt Ferenc Square.” So it definitely makes for a great place to visit and spend the day wandering through Old Budapest. For Opening Day, the Gouba Market took place place in Szimpla Courtyard (1075 Budapest, Kazinczy u.14.), which is a cultural and community center. The center offers art workshops, movies, music events and a cafe where you can relax with friends over a cup of coffee or a drink.

We miss Ami, George and Asta so much, but we are happy to see them strolling down these European streets, meeting friends (especially Asta), and finding new places to show us when we come for a visit very soon.

My Hungarian is limited to two phrases, “Magyar Posta,” from my international stamp collecting days, and “Harapos Kutya,” which means “Beware of Dog.” So when I get to Budapest, I’ll be able to warn people about dogs (not Asta – she’s a love bug) and send you all postcards.

Many thanks to Ami and George Kroon for the photographs and information for this article, and to Asta for being so fluffy and nice.

Photo of the Day – April 24, 2012: Callio Fragrance

Callio Fragrance is a wonderful scent company, hand blending perfumes, room sprays, lotions and soaps in a New York studio. I came across Callio this past weekend at the Prospect Heights Craft Fair, which was a fantastic event once again.

Not only is Callio’s packaging beautiful and fresh, but the sunlight was pouring into the window into the schools gymnasium during the craft fair, illuminating the perfumes in such a way that I had no choice but to stop and try every product on the table.

Callio’s evocative scents include:

Summer (Freesia, peach, cantaloupe and musk)
Adele (rose, blackberries, vanilla and musk)
Tessa (almond, vanilla, lemon and sandalwood)
Belle (soft powder and peony)
Melee (coconut, lemongrass, tropical flowers, vanilla and sandalwood)
Kiele (gardenia, jasmine and tuberose)
Willow (vanilla orchid, vanilla beans and amber)

Every scent was wonderful to me, including the florals, which I normally shy away from. I’m more of a sandalwood and amber type, and so I really loved the Tessa and the Willow. These hand-crafted products are really an amazing luxury, and yet there they were in a school gymnasium. Another reason I love markets.

Visit the Callio Fragrance website for more information, and hopefully they will be coming soon to a market near you (and me)!

Weekend Market Picks for April 21 & 22: Gauge NYC + Earth Day

I love my LOVE earrings from Gauge NYC. I picked them up last month at the Artisan Bazaar (coming back soon!), and now Gauge is in the great new Springle Market inside Chelsea Market. Paul Smotrys, the metalsmith behind Gauge NYC, creates wire sculptures that are hearts, flowers, single letters, and beautiful words. His pieces range from larger letters and words to adorn a wall or a mantle, to delicate necklaces and earrings.

Here are my Market Picks for this weekend:

Saturday Only, April 21, 2012

Prospect Heights Craft Fair: This craft fair has a wonderful vibe and a fantastic collection of crafters. Last year’s event was filled with beautifully made objects and delicious treats. Markets of New York City is a sponsor for this event because the proceeds go to support arts programming at PS 9 in Prospect Heights. My art teachers were some of the most influential people in my life growing up, so I’m happy to help kids learn to be creative for the rest of their lives. (11:00AM to 6:00PM, PS 9, 80 Underhill Ave, between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street, Brooklyn)

Smorgasburg : Smorgasburg features a seriously delicious array of local food artisan. There are so many irresistible options that my best advice is to forgo any ideas of savory to start and sweet for dessert. Just go for the shortest line you see and try whatever they’re selling. And go hungry, because you’re going to leave wishing you had a bigger stomach and vowing to come back next week. (11:00AM – 6:00PM,
East River Waterfront btw. North 6 + 7 Streets, Brooklyn)

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: While you’re wandering in Park Slope, stop by this big, gorgeous farmers market. They always have great cooking demos and 30+ sellers of produce, grains, baked goods, pickles, eggs, maple syrups and more. Don’t forget – it’s Asparagus Season, and the ramps will only last for so long till next year! (8:00AM – 3:00PM, Prospect Park West and Flatbush Avenue, the Northwest Corner of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)

Saturday and Sunday:

Springle Market: From the organizer of the festive Jingle holiday market comes the airy, treasure-filled Springle Market! This new seasonal pop-up market boasts 19 independent merchants, and each has created small, lovely boutiques. Linden Hill Gardens up at the front creates an instant sense of green calm with plants, flowers, terrariums and dish gardens flowing through their shop. Congratulations to Elements/Jill Schwarts for creating a true spring market! (10:3oAM – 7:00PM, Inside Chelsea Market, 9th Avenue between 15th and 16th Street, Manhattan)

Park Slope Flea Market: The Park Slope Flea Market is a classic. It has been a part of the neighborhood for years, but do not take it for granted. There are some great things in this market, including antique lace, old books, miniature collectibles, bonsai trees and bric-a-brac. Sometimes the furniture selection can be great too. So if you’ve walked past this market in the PS 321 schoolyard a million times, stop in and have a good look around this weekend. (7th Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets, Brooklyn)

Sunday Only – Earth Day!

Jackson Heights Greenmarket: Another wonderful farmers market, the Jackson Heights Greenmarket is also great for people watching because the neighborhood is so diverse. Celebrate Earth Day this weekend at this market by making a seed sprout necklace! They also have textile recycling and composting every weekend. Visit the GrowNYC table for more information. And then go straight to the Jackson Diner for my favorite, amazing Indian Lunch Buffet. (8:00AM – 3:00PM, 34th Ave at 77th St, Queens)

Happy Earth Day, Happy Spring, and don’t forget that Mother’s Day is right around the corner! (Shouldn’t every day be Mother’s Day?)

Photo of the Day, April 20, 2012: Ramp Focaccia from Hot Bread Kitchen

This morning I had the honor of participating in the celebration of Immigrant Heritage Week at an awards ceremony with the Business Center for New Americans. As an extra added benefit, I ran into the wonderful Jessamyn Rodriguez, Founder of Hot Bread Kitchen. She informed me that they have been making Ramp Focaccia! Better yet, it is available today at the Union Square Greenmarket!

Luckily for me, after an inspiring morning, I was headed straight to Union Square, where I picked up a large, fresh piece of the bread.

It is soft, fragrant, and golden brown, with ramps baked onto the top infusing the bread with their essence. I let it melt in my mouth, and when I breathed out, I could taste the ramps even more. I know foodies go on and on ad nauseum about ramps, but we can’t help ourselves. They’re amazing.

In case you don’t know their story, Hot Bread Kitchen manages the incubator kitchen at La Marqueta in Harlem and teaches culinary skills to foreign born, low income women and men, giving them new economic opportunities to succeed in their new country. Their selection of breads reflects the cultural heritage of the people who make it.

You can find Hot Bread Kitchen’s delicious bread products in the Greenmarkets and many retailers. They also offer a fantastic Bread CSA.

Photo of the Day – April 19, 2012: Fresh Till Death Vegan Nut Milks

There was a lot of buzz in the crowd about Fresh Till Death nut milks with coffee at the Vegan Shop Up this past weekend. So I had to try them. My verdict: rich and delicious!

Fresh Till Death nut milks come in sunflower, almond, walnut and brazil nut, and they can be sweetened with fig and dates, date palm sugar, coconut date palm sugar, maple or honey. Pictured above is the almond milk, which is amazing in chai. (I’ve been drinking Chai Mookie, which I also found out about at the Vegan Shop Up – more about them soon!) I also love the dripping red wax seal.

I’m not sure which market they will attend next, but you can always find them at Upright Coffee in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and coming soon to the West Village in Manhattan.

Photo of the Day – April 18, 2012: Elaine Arsenault Handbags

Elaine Arsenault has been making handbags since 1992 and aims to make “functional classics that will never go out of style”. She makes pouches, shoulder bags, and totes in a variety of colors and materials. But what really caught my eye are her fantastic and super colorful inner linings!

I saw many of Elaine’s handmade creations, including the stunning tote above, on a recent trip to SUPER!Market on Mulberry Street in SoHo.

Photo of the Day – April 17, 2012: Pelzer’s Pretzels

Pelzer's Everything Pretzel - Philly Style

Pelzer’s Pretzels is a new pretzel company in Brooklyn that makes soft, chewy Philadelphia Style pretzels. I ate a delicious Everything pretzel this weekend at the outstanding Vegan Shop Up in Bushwick at the Pine Box Rock Shop.

Pelzer’s soft pretzels come in a variety of flavors including the Everything pretzel pictured (poppyseeds, sesame seeds, onion and garlic), cran-mary (cranberry, rosemary and lemon), plain, salted, and probably more to come. They also have dips: spicy beer mustard, brown ginger mustard, and vegan spicy chocolate sauce.

I’m looking forward to seeing Pelzer’s Pretzels in more markets. I encourage somebody to partner with Pelzer’s to make sandwiches with them too!

Would you eat a pretzel sandwich?

Weekend Market Picks for April 14 & 15, 2012: The Markets Are in Full Swing!

The spring season and the markets are in full swing this weekend, and the weather is heading up into the 70s just for the occasion. Get your market bag and join me at these markets this weekend:

Saturday, April 14, 2012

East 67th Street Market: This venerable flea market has been on the inside and outside of PS 183 since the 1970s and features antiques, farm fresh produce and flea market vendors. (East 67th Street between 1st and York Avenues, Manhattan)

Arthur Avenue Retail Market: Located in the Belmont section of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue has for decades been a hub of Italian food and culture. Go to the market for meats and sausages, baked goods, seafood and other Italian specialities. (Arthur Avenue at East 187th Street, Bronx)

BUST Craftacular: The Spring 2012 Craftacular sponsored by BUST Magazine takes place Saturday with 100 talented craft and artisanal food companies. Admission is $3, and the early birds get a free goodie bag. (82 Mercer Street between Broome and Spring, Manhattan)

Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15, 2012

Dekalb Flea Market: NEW! This flea market is launching this weekend and will run Saturdays and Sundays on the sidewalk in front of the Brooklyn Technical High School. (29 Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn)

Artists and Fleas: This great artisan and designer market continues in two locations throughout the spring, both at its home in Williamsburg and its 30 vendor pop-up in the Chelsea Market. Make it a trendsetting day and visit both locations! (70 North 7th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Chelsea Market, 15th Street and 10th Avenue, Manhattan)

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Vegan Shop Up: An all-vegan, one day pop-up shop featuring an array of foods, treats and other goods, including my friends from Meow Meow Tweet with their wonderful body products. (Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn)

Greenflea: Another great, longtime flea and artisan market across the park from East 67th on the Upper West Side, Greenflea features dozens of vendors inside and outside of MS 44 Junior High School (Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets, Manhattan)

Don’t forget to stop by your local farmers market (GrowNYC and Community Markets) as well to pick up fresh produce, eggs, honey and spring flowers!

(Thanks to my husband James for the picture of opening day at the Dekalb Market last weekend.)

My Market Haul – April 7, 2012

Yesterday was a huge day for market openings in the city! James and I grabbed our cameras and totes, slathered on some sunblock, and we hit the road.

For today, I’m posting a quick image of our “haul,” in the vernacular of teenage fashion vloggers, or most of the wonderful things we picked up along the way.

Finally purchased the adorable Bunnies Tee from Gnome Enterprises after years of admiring it! (Brooklyn Flea)
Tea, Clove, Sage and Aloe scented candle from Ebb & Flow. They make amazing candles and soaps and have a beautiful, romantic little boutique at the market. (Dekalb Market)
Lime Board from Gowanus Furniture Co. Couldn’t resist this gorgeous, tiny handmade cutting board. (Brooklyn Flea)
Charley’s Organic Toffee – a Hostess Gift for Easter Sunday, which hopefully she will share with her guests. (SUPER!market)
Alfajores from Jessy’s Pastries – See above. (SUPER!market)
We also ate up Red Plum Sour Cherry pops from People’s Pops. And we can never resist the perfect bean and queso con loroco pupusas from Solber Pupusas, just like the ones from the Pupusadrome in El Salvador. (Brooklyn Flea)

I’ll fill you in on the rest of our adventures during the week!

Weekend Market Picks for April 7 & 8, 2012: Happy Spring!

I can’t even believe how beautiful the weather has been, and it looks like it’s going to be amazing the entire weekend. So it’s a lucky thing that several markets are launching their season to such perfect weather. If you’re visiting New York or just feel like being outside all day, then definitely get out to visit these markets. And get your holiday hostess gifts too!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Smorgasburg: The Brooklyn Flea’s food extravaganza re-opens on Saturday with a killer line up of Brooklyn’s finest food purveyors. This year, Smorgasburg is opening at 11AM and closing at 6PM, an hour later than last year. Come hungry and bring a tote bag! (East River Waterfront between North 6 + 7 St., Brooklyn)

Fort Green Park Greenmarket: The Fort Green Park Greenmarket has a special place in my heart. It could be the giant London plane trees that provide perfect shade. It could be the wonderful atmosphere, and the way the neighbors love shopping here. And it could be the outstanding selection of farmers and food purveyors. I suspect it is all of the above. (Washington Park at Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY)

Saturday and Sunday, April 7 & 8, 2012

Brooklyn Flea: The Flea launches its outdoor season this weekend! The Saturday Flea is back in the schoolyard at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene (176 Lafayette Ave. between Clermont + Vanderbilt Ave.), and the Sunday Flea opens on the Williamsburg Waterfront. (East River Waterfront between North 6 + 7 St.)

Dekalb Market: I’m super excited to see everyone at the Dekalb Market, which is also opening for the season this weekend. It’s going to be a great place for the family too for some Easter fun, including a market-wide Easter egg hunt on both Saturday and Sunday and a petting zoo! Not to mention fantastic shopping, food, beer, and music. (138 Willoughby Street at Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn)

Nolita Market: This sweet street market opened a couple of weeks ago, and it’s such a great place to stop and shop while you’re strolling through Soho! (Prince Street between Mulberry & Mott, Lower Manhattan)

Pompeii Artisan and Flea Market on Bleecker Street: I know you’ve walked by this market a million times, just like I did before I stopped, checked it out, and fell in love. They launched for the season too, and they are full of great handmade and vintage goodies! (Bleecker between Carmine & Leroy, Lower Manhattan)

Enjoy yourselves this weekend, and don’t forget to stop and admire the daffodils! (Photo by James Wesolowski)