Sunday, April 10, 2011

Welcome Back Baltimore's Farmer's Market!!!

It is only April right? In its second week already, can you believe it? Though it is about a month earlier than years prior and the growth season in this area is in its infancy, the market has delicious items for you to purchase - and not just prepared foods!
We are thrilled to welcome back the fish monger, the pasta man, pickles, coffee, breads, beef, pork and cheeses. New this year is K.C.C Natural Farms, a family owned and operated farm located in Forest Hill, MD. What is so unique about another local farm raising and selling free range chickens? Well, KCC offers a variety of game birds as well including the perfect, tiny quail eggs!

Check them out. Their offering includes: Poussin, French Heritage Chickens, Pheasant, Smoked Pheasant, Quail, Quail eggs, Chicken Eggs, Partridge/Chukar, and they offer Deer processing at the farm. Besides the unique varietals, KCC wants its customers to know their birds are not only free range, pastured, locally grown but fed an all natural, vegetarian diet. For those of you interested in flight ready birds, they sell those also. Get your live chics here! A welcome addition to the Sunday Market. We wish them well. Due make the venture north and check out their farm.

KCC Natural Farms
2630 Rocks Rd
Forest Hill, MD 21050

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Black OliveAgora (Market) Finally Opens

In its third week now Black Olive Agora is open. Located in the front of the Black Olive Inn at 803 South Caroline Street. There is garage and street parking available. Whether you are in the mood for a glass of organic wine $4.50/glass and a snack, coffee and breakfast or some fresh prepared items to go with whole fish for dinner, Agora can satisfy.

Some prepared items you might find, Hummus $8/lb (green b/c of the fresh parsley), Melitzanosalata $9/lb (Baba Ghanoush), Taramasalata $8/lb, Tzatziki 9/lb, Greek Vegetable Pie 10/slice, Cous Cous salad 10/lb,Orzo salad $10/lb, House marinaded olives et...

Great selection of Greek cheeses from feta to grilled haloumi.

Fresh whole fish selection is perfect. Not too many species, types are not consistent but fresh. You can find St. Peter/John Dory, Branzino/Branzini, whole sardines, scallops, shrimp, lobster, whole octopus (sells by the lb so yes, you can buy just an arm), seafood kebabs, Dorade etc...the team will clean and prepare the fish for you any way you like including sending you home with instructions "just like we do in the restaurant" they will say.

If you have a chance to purchase the breads baked fresh on premise, go for the flat bread with za'atar or baguette - the small olive boules are a bit too dense and tough in our opinion.

Weekends you can enjoy breakfast on the roof. It is enclosed  with an open kitchen, full bar and amazing harbor view. Can be rented for private parties.

The best experience in our opinion was speaking with the owner. He shared with us that for intimidating cuts of fish like octopus - he will refund your money if you take it home with his instructions on how to prepare it and it does not turn out. He wants the locals in the area to feel comfortable and make great Black Olive meals in their homes. Remove your fears and go for it with no risk. He says if you are looking to make stuffed squid, call ahead because some types of fish he does not want to sit in a cold case but rather know it will be prepared and eaten straight away. That is true customer service!

Give him a call. 443-681-6319!


Here is to a fabulous Greek meal - dining out or in!