Rachel Ray » Markets of New York

Photo of the Day, August 2, 2010: Savannah’s Cupcakes & More

Moist Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes from Savannah's Cupcakes & More by Millie Peartree

These days James and I rarely have weekend days together, with me off at the markets and his working 24/7 as entrepreneur. So we decided to skip it all on Saturday to go out for lunch together…at the markets. We started at the Hester Street Fair, where we took the famous words of Jacques Torres to heart when he advises, “Eat dessert first.” You’ll hear all about our “sugar fest” this week, but it all started with cupcakes at a birthday party.

Yup – now you can have your friends come celebrate your birthday at the Hester Street Fair. (Make a note, family!) This past Saturday, Sway from MTV had a party under a tent filled with balloons and cupcakes. The cupcakes were provided by Savannah’s Cupcakes from talented baker and business owner Millie Peartree. We had a banana cupcake with a perfectly smooth and none-too-sweet cream cheese frosting. Next we had a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, which was classic, moist and delicious. And then there was the super rich and mouthwatering Red Velvet Cupcake. There’s a soft place in my heart for anyone who can make a moist Red Velvet cake, and Millie Peartree has a seat of honor.

I’m not sure when we’ll see Millie back at the market, but you can see her full, luscious menu and place orders online. We’ll definitely be seeing more of her though – I’ll keep you posted about her promo in Rachel Ray’s Chat & Chew section in the fall!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Sway! Major thanks and kudos for promoting this wonderful business at the market!

The Brooklyn Flea Continues to Blow My Socks Off

As I braved the frigid weather to get to the Brooklyn Flea’s new indoor market, I wondered what kind of indoor space could possibly accommodate the large number of vendors and the crowds of shoppers. I got out of the subway station and asked a nice lady if she knew where One Hanson Place was. “It’s right in front of you, honey,” she said. “That huuuuuge building right on the corner.”

One Hanson Place used to house the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. The tallest building in Brooklyn, the former bank’s lobby/event space is absolutely gorgeous, with marble everywhere, vaulted ceilings, soaring columns, and the old bank teller windows and lamps. Every weekend through March, it is filled with over 100 flea market vendors and artisans.

The vendors’ shops fill the main walkway, and they spill over into every nook and cranny, including side hallways, upstairs offices and overlooks. Definitely do not miss the old bank vault downstairs. It still houses treasures, only now they’re in the form of lobster rolls from the Red Hook Lobster Pound, handmade chocolates from Nunu, McClure’s pickles, and much more.

I picked out a beautiful, sturdy tote bag from Loyalty and Blood. I also ran into australianScent and got to tell them that my scary winter elbows are soft and supple with their Balm of Gilead moisturizer that I had purchased at the Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted Market. In addition to Rain Lily’s gorgeous handcrafted, fair trade silk scarves, she also had tiny “dhokra,” or lost wax, figurines from India. (Rachel Ray bought the horse on Sunday, but I’m partial to the piggies.) The old typewriter photograph from She Hit Pause Studios, housed upstairs, is gorgeous and inspirational.

I met some new people as well. John Murphy’s dreamy and colorful prints and photographs stopped me in my tracks. He uses all of my favorite colors – orange, pink, robin’s egg blue, and more. I also fell in love with Paula Hill’s vintage buttons. She knows the history of every single button, including Bakelite and earlier plastics from the early 1900’s. I’ll show you her vintage Valentine’s in a week or two!

The Brooklyn Flea’s winter home is just as fun and adventurous as their outdoor venues. Thank goodness we don’t have to wait until spring to shop at the Flea!

Brooklyn Flea: Saturdays and Sundays through March, One Hanson Place