New Amsterdam Market

The New Amsterdam Market only takes place four times this year.  There is one left on December 20th.  It is a really cool market place that is reminiscent of what markets must have been like 200 years ago.  The Greenmarket with the twist of local purveyors selling their goods.  Cheese-mongers, bread bakers, farmers, wine makers, etc.  It was a foodies dream.

My brother came in this weekend with his family for Thanksgiving.  His kids have the week off.  My niece, who is 8, is totally into cooking and food.  This past summer, right after she saw Julia and Julia, she asked me if we can make Beef Bourguignon together like Julia Child when she comes at Thanksgiving.  So, today, not only did we make our stew, we also did all the shopping before hand.  It was seriously memorable. 

We had parking karma too.  We drove down to the market which is located on South Street between Peck Slip and Beekman Place.  We got a space, legally, right across from the market the second we got there.  We took out our cart and began.  I knew this was going to be good because the first stall I saw was fresh oysters being shucked.  Love that.

Our first stop was the braised brisket from Jimmy's.  Delicious flavorful pulled brisket over a crispy thin cracker and a thin layer of spicy mustard.  Our first taste of the day and a good one to kick the day off with. 

After that, we made our way stall by stall and attempted to try everything that was being given away and make some purchases too.  Zone 7 was one of the stalls with vegetables and fruits.  We picked up some onions, brussel sprouts and apples for our meals this week.  After that we saw Rick at Ricks Picks and Ruby was thrilled to get a pickle on a stick.  I don't think there was a kid at the market place without a pickle on a stick. 

We continued onward and stopped by Saxelby's cheese.  Anne was there and not only is she incredibly sweet but her cheeses are incredible.  My niece tasted a variety of cheeses and ended up picking 3 for pre-Thanksgiving festivities.

We continued to taste.  I loved that my niece would wiggle her way to the front, grab one of the tastes that were being given away and if she liked it, she'd ask me if she wanted one too because she really didn't want to share.  She realized very quickly that she liked every taste and starting just getting 2 each time. 

There was another vendor with cheese and pates.  The pates were fantastic, didn't buy but we did taste figuring too heavy for the week of eating ahead.  We found McEnroe Organic farm and got a mixture of beefs for our stew and some ham hocks to substitute for the bacon.  We also saw wonderful organic cranberries. 

After we wanted something more substantial and found Porchetta which had a booth and for the $5 sandwich, you really can not go wrong.  Rosemary slathered pork that has probably been cooking for 12 hours, literally falling apart between a small roll.  I know my niece was hesitant about sharing because it was so damn good. 

Finally found our way to Sullivan Street Bakery where we bought a baguette for dinner tonight.  They didn't have everything we needed at the market place so ended up at Citarella on the way home but we spent easily over an hour plus there and it was fantastic.  Bumped into a bunch of people, all food people, and just loved it.  Worth making the trip on December 20th but bundle up!