The Capitol Market Patriot Pop-Up is a new mini market that features a rotating lineup of veteran-owned and veteran-affiliated vendors from the Patriot Guardens program.
Participating vendors include:
Four Arrows Farm
Knorrsgaard Jams
Backyard Shenanigans
Mama Rose's Kitchen
Trillium Family Farms
Tyler Creek Farm
Muddy Mountain Flower Farm
Black-Eyed Susie's
Four Arrows Farm
Knorrsgaard Jams
Backyard Shenanigans
Mama Rose's Kitchen
Trillium Family Farms
Tyler Creek Farm
Muddy Mountain Flower Farm
Black-Eyed Susie's
Borough Market is a historic market in central London with an emphasis on high quality food, sustainable production and social connection.
"Our story began 1,000 years ago, when a market took shape at the foot of London Bridge. Since 1756, we’ve been in our current location, run by a charitable trust on behalf of the community. Today, our mission is to show that food can be made and sold in ways that are better for people, for the planet and for the sheer pleasure of eating," reads its website.
Kappacasein Dairy was my first stop because they're toasted cheese sandwich is legendary. Richly cheesy, impeccably executed, and celebrated by critics and street-food lovers alike—this is London’s grilled cheese elevated to iconic status.
"Kappacasein’s raclette and toasted cheese sandwiches are the stuff of Borough Market legend. Made using a generous helping of owner Bill Oglethorpe’s Bermondsey-made London raclette or Ogleshield cheese piled atop new potatoes, baby gherkins and pickled onions, the result is one of the finest aromas your nostrils could ever hope to savour. The famed toasted cheese toastie, meanwhile, is made with a combination of Montgomery cheddar, Ogleshield, London raclette, comte, onions and leeks sandwiched between slices of sourdough. The shop also sells Bill’s cheeses.
Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich bursts with rich, nutty, and tangy flavors from its blend of aged cheddars and raclette. Finely chopped onions and leeks add a subtle sharpness that cuts through the creamy melt. The crusty sourdough provides a perfectly crisp contrast, creating a deeply satisfying balance of gooey, savory, and crunchy in every bite.
Mrs. King's Pork Pies serves authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies. A Melton Mowbray pork pie is a traditional English meat pie made with coarsely chopped pork, encased in a hand-formed hot water crust pastry, and baked without a mold, which gives it a slightly irregular, domed shape. The pie is typically filled with pork jelly after baking to preserve the meat and add richness. It originates from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, meaning only pies made in or around that area using traditional methods can be sold under that name.
When Elizabeth King started making pork pies back in 1853, little did she realise what she was setting in motion. She would probably have been shocked – and more than a little proud – if she knew that her name would be immortalised at one of the world’s most famous markets more than a century and half later. Her Melton Mowbray pies now have dedicated PGI status, meaning they can only be made in a particular way in a specific area of Nottinghamshire. Each pie uses fresh pork and rich jelly, cooked inside golden brown pastry, reads the website.
Mrs. King’s pork pies deliver a robustly savory meatiness with well-seasoned, coarse-cut pork encased in a golden, hot-water crust pastry that strikes the perfect balance between crisp and crumbly. it's a different experience than a pot pie because of this next component: jelly. Rich pork jelly adds a moist, gelatinous layer that enlivens the pie’s flavor profile—even when served cold, as tradition dictates. I ate mine cold, but I do think I would enjoy it better if it were warm. Hearty pork, delicate jelly, and sturdy pastry.
The Natural Smoothie Co. helped lighten up the day with a smoothie. The berry bliss smoothie had strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, apple and orange juice.
"Delicious smoothies made using 100 per cent fresh fruit – no concentrates, dairy products, ice or sorbets. Each cup contains around 300g of pure fruit, the equivalent of seven or eight individual pieces. Owner Liz Guru uses extremely ripe fruit for maximum possible flavour," reads the website.
"Turnips is a fruit and veg wholesaler and retailer run by the Foster family. High quality produce is sourced from a network of independent farms around Britain and, in the instance of some specialist items, Europe and beyond. Whether it be beetroot from Somerset, potatoes from Lincolnshire, rhubarb from Yorkshire, cabbages from Kent or locally foraged wild mushrooms, Turnips is guaranteed to bring the season’s finest offerings to its Borough stall," reads the website.
So I decided to do another drink - a St. Clements juice. This citrus fizz has orange juice and lemon-lime.
Tart, yet refreshing.
Grade: A
"The Putnam Farmers Market was established in 2009. All of our vendors are local, within a 50 mile radius or from West Virginia. You'll find in-season produce, locally raised meat, farm fresh eggs, home baked goods, local honey, fresh flowers, berries, handmade jewelry and crafts, and so much more from local farmers and artisans! Find something new every Saturday!"
The Putnam Farmers Market is held every Saturday from May through October. I stopped by a while back to check out all the vendors.
Here's a sampling of some vendors I've visited there:
Hope’s Harvest Farm, LLC - potatoes, tomatoes, beets, greens and more.
Amandus Family Farm - Family of four raising pigs, chickens, & goats through rotational grazing & pasture based principles.
Mountain State Fungi - Mushrooms
The Potager - tomatoes, peppers, berries and more.
Sycamore Farms & Primitives - pies, blueberry muffins, strawberry bread, garlic pull apart bread, yeast bread and rolls, cinnamon rolls and more.
WeeGreens - microgreens
Hammett Family Farm - eggs
G & G Heritage Farm - Pepperoni Rolls Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Smoked Gruyere and Gouda, and Scorpion Gruyere and Gouda, Jams, Pineapple Upside-down Cake, Everything Bagel Seasoned Cashews and Focaccia Bread
Vibrant Mountain Lady - eggs
Crago Country Farm - plants, bread, cookies
Vine & Branches Family Farm - sunflowers, bouquets
L&L Produce - eggs, fresh strawberries, strawberry muffins, brownies
LeJa Produce - Honey, Garlic Scapes, Choi, Kale, Collards, Asparagus, Onions, Apple Butter, Zucchini Bread, Cobbler (Blackberry, Peach), Jam (Blackberry, Peach)
Fox Run Metal Works - metal yard art
Feather Ridge Farm - eggs, quail eggs, whole chicken, and freeze dried candies!
Roo’s Flower Coop - flowers
Cooper's Cottage - microbakery
The Ugly Cupcake - microbakery
Katie's Country Kitchen - baked goods
Payne's Produce - produce
Kyndall's Kitchen - baked goods
Mountain State Farm - meat
Grand Central Market is Los Angeles' largest and oldest public market. There are a number of vendors, but the ones I visited were: Fat + Flour, La Huerta Candy, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Sarita’s Pupuseria and The Donut Man.
"When the doors first opened in October 1917, the "Wonder Market," as it was then called, was billed as "the largest and finest public market on the Pacific Coast." It filled the entire ground floor of the Beaux-Arts-style Homer Laughlin Building, the region's first steel-reinforced, fireproof structure. At the time, Los Angeles was the country's tenth-most-populous city—and downtown was the epicenter of a flourishing metropolis," reads the website.
"Today, the Market's 40 stalls are home to an only-in-LA blend of legacy vendors like China Cafe and Roast To Go (Grand Central Market tenants for over half a century), rising stars, and success stories from the city's buzzing food scene. The Market is a microcosm of the historic immigrant communities that have shaped Los Angeles and a mosaic of the creativity and vision of the people who call this city home."
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams have "dense and pure-flavored, with smooth, consistent texture and a rich, velvety mouth feel." I actually went for a sorbet, but I can confirm, it was super smooth and refreshing.
"Taste what America’s “foodies” and ice cream aficionados have been raving about for decades. Local, sustainable and organic, ingredients are sourced from many of the same farms and purveyors they've partnered with throughout their 70-year history. Cool down with a float, Build-Your-Own ice cream sandwich, sundae, scoop, or another, tempting menu favorites," reads Grand Central Market's site.
The mango sorbet uses ripe, golden mangoes, pureed to a buttery, honeyed perfection, with just a trace of lemon juice for acid backbone.
SUPER refreshing - especially on a hot day. Sweet, but tart at the same time in the best way.
Next up is Fat + Flour. A tiny pie and cookie shop from the one and only Nicole Rucker. Featuring coffee by Right Quick Roasters.
All of the pies and cookies looked tempting, but none as much as the fruity pebble rice krispie treat. I am a sucker for rice krispie treats - maybe because I never really had them growing up? But if they are up for grabs, I can't turn one down.
And this one being homemade and super ooey-gooey with just a bit of fruity flavor put it over the top.
Plus a delicious sprinkle cookie!
Then I stopped at La Huerta Candy: "Since 1999 La Huerta Candy has sold a wide variety of classic American candies, novelty Mexican nuts, dried fruit and other delicious snacks. Perhaps one of Grand Central's most visually dynamic stalls, La Huerta is bedecked by colorful bins of sweet and savory snacks in variable textures, tints, and tastes. Don't miss their famous gummi's covered with chamoy and chili lime!"
I picked up a few candies here, but specifically the little fruits that squeeze juice and are super popular on social media.
Next up is The Donut Man. The Donut Man has been serving up high quality delicious treats for nearly 50 years. Originator of the Fresh Strawberry and Fresh Peach donut.
I had to try the fresh strawberry donut, which is a giant mass of strawberries, dough and sugar.
Tasty? Yes. Messy? Oh yes.
Sarita’s Pupuseria is next!
Based on family recipes from owner Sara Clark, Sarita's serves handmade pupusas with dozens of different fillings (including vegetarian options) to choose, as well as fried plantains, yuca con chicharron, stews, and other celebrated Salvadoran dishes.
I enjoyed a pupsusa with cheese. Pillowy but a fresh crispness from the slaw or curtido.
I loved everything I had from this market and the market itself.
Grade: A
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