#5: Little Italy's Mercato

Sunset Magazine recently hosted a "food fight" between Northern California and Southern California. (Check it out here.) They compared the many aspects of food in each area- new ideas, locality, markets, booze, diversity, etc. This hit home for me- being a LA native and having lived in the Bay Area for four years- I was torn between which I thought was the best. Although Northern California has Alice Waters, Southern California won the food fight! (Stoked... especially since I'm living in So Cal again.)

Within a week of living here, I've noticed that the craft food and slow food movements Northern California sometimes claims as their own are also in full force here in San Diego. Two small examples 1.)- The Linkery (these guys have vegan options and the BEST sangria). Their food is locally grown, and the restaurant has great connections with the farmers. Oh, and it's also delicious. 2.) There are a TON of farmers markets every week in the many neighborhoods of San Diego. We might be able to complete all 20 on our list within our new city.

This past Saturday, Nick and I made it to our first San Diego farmers market- Little Italy's Mercato, which I also found out about through Sunset. Date Street was lined with over 100 booths and it quickly became my new favorite farmers market... I could see the ocean, there were two great bands playing on opposite ends of the market, there were vegan treats, fresh zucchini flowers, succulents for sale, and a green smoothie booth.

The Mercato's end, over looking the ocean :)

Mmm... greens.

We also found our future CSA. ( #76!) Suzie's Organic Farm at the Mercato. Their booth was awesome.... my favorites- they have legumes and squash blossoms, and their farm is just about 15 minutes away from our neighborhood. 

Our purchases at the Mercato:

my green smoothie, and vegan chocolate and butterscotch brownie, 

Nick's citrus cranberry scone, and goat's cheese, our zucchini flowers, micro greens, and dates.

Not in the photo: Mango, chili popsicle.  

Dates for our vegan date shakes... find the recipe here: www.vegalicioustee.blogspot.com

If you're in the area, I highly recommend Little Italy's Mercato, just be prepared to search for parking for a while. A lot of our favorite vendors at the Mercato told us that they also have booths at our neighborhood's FM, so we're planning on biking to that one this weekend. But- I'm sure we'll be back in Little Italy very soon for some good eats. 

Mangia Bene!!!
- T

#65: I've Joined the Club...

I've been approved.

I'll be good, I swear.

(And yes, it supports UC Davis because a. my alma mater was not on the list of college options (surprise, surprise) b. USD was not on the list?! c. most of my favorites are Aggies d. Davis is freaking awesome)

#2: G.Love & Special Sauce

I love my friends. I love good music. And, I love summer nights. 

What happens when you put all three together? 

Pure bliss. 

Who: G.Love & Special Sauce (.. and Nick, Devo, and me)

What: Crowd surfing, a harmonica, a kick-drum, and amazing tunes

When: the evening of July 22nd

Where: San Diego, Del Mar Race Tracks' outdoor venue

Why: Many reasons... 

1. our good friend Devo works at the Del Mar tracks and hooked it up (thanks again Devo!)

2. I love G.Love & Special Sauce's unique style, and rhythm 

3. when G.Love plays that harmonica... I melt

4. G.Love (Garret Dutton) plays with the Avett Brothers, Jack Johnson, and Tristan Prettyman (love them all)

5. the Avett Brothers are his producers and Brushfire Records produced his older albums

6. each of their songs sound different than the other (...this goes for their records too) 

7. basically... he's a seriously talented artist 

This show brought such a wide variety of people together to simply enjoy life for a few hours... It was awesome. Music is powerful. 

Best song of the night: Booty Call

Never heard of G.Love & Special Sauce? Check them out here. 

Milk and Sugar

Fixin' to Die

XO- Theresa