I have been anticipating this month’s New Amsterdam Market, a temporary monthly market, held where the old Fulton Fish market was. The stands focus on local farms or purveyors that source from local farms, with a special focus on meats this time. I knew there were several vendors from Brooklyn, NJ, or upstate NY, places that I may not always get to, so this would be a great opportunity to get tastes from several.
This was also an extra special treat because we were walking the market with Jen (left) and Bianca (right), two friends I met while working at Aix (now closed). Jen was the sous chef who had to deal with me, the green little student doing an externship. Bianca was a waitress, putting herself through business school, and we’ve been friends ever since. The two of them are just such awesome people, especially to eat with! Edible was giving out free magazines (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Huson Valley, and more) and we were grabbing them.
Bianca and I were particularly fond of the cheeses at Bklyn Larder 228 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (sampling and selling). The guy was trying to explain the cheeses but at events like this, it’s loud and people are pushing to get in and I end up feeling bad if I’m standing in front and blocking people. I realized that it’s actually hard to learn this way so I decided to make this more of a tasting trip, and to learn more about the ones I like, later.
The sausage was good but expensive for $5 (one link with beans).
Lon loved the Mexican chocolate samples at Taza Chocolates, again, piles of people pushing to get chocolate. I couldn’t even get in so we came back later.
W & T Seafood was selling oysters at $1 per piece, $1.25 shucked. They had three types (I know there was Wellfleets but I don’t remember the other two, sorry) and they were all super fresh and juicy, with such clean tasting liquor. If I wasn’t already full, I might have hung around this booth for 10 to 20 more.
Luke’s Lobster was another winner with crab rolls for $9 and lobster rolls for $14. The soft potato rolls were warm and toasty. The lobster was so fresh, the meat was less dense, almost flaky, probably some of the best lobster I’ve had. I loved that it was not drenched in mayo, leaving you to taste the lobster.
The Bent Spoon had some wonderful ice creams. The pumpkin mascarpone had a really balanced and natural flavor. The feel was very smooth and it sold out quickly.
After several good samples of various charcuterie of pig parts, Lon bought some pate from The Piggery. Knowing Lon, he was already taken by the suitable name, but $4 for a 4oz jar is very reasonable for good pate.
Not everything was super though. I wanted to try these English pastries called Eccles ($2 per piece) by Saltie, but the currants were dense and chewy inside. Is it supposed to be like that?
I wasn’t a fan of the $5 little sandwich from Porchetta, it was fatty and cold, not a good combination, with a chewy piece of skin inside that doesn’t make sense in a sandwich.
The neighboring stand, Jimmy’s No. 43, also disappointed, although more reasonably priced at $1 per piece. The slow cooker beef was actually dry, then drenched in sauce, and the bread was hard and seemed stale.
The Bratwurst from The Meat Hook irked us and we each had different reasons. Jen didn’t like the texture, a large coarse grind. Lon didn’t like the lemon-y kraut. I didn’t like the overly herbly meat. I don’t have a good picture of it but here’s the stand. I’m not sure if one guys is giving the other a massage, or they’re fighting?
There was two kimchee vendors, Mother in Law’s Kimchee and Mama O’s. Neither were bad but they didn’t impress me either. They seemed to be toned down kimchee and can’t compare to Bill’s mom’s kimchee.
Some vendors were giving out samples, some were selling products, some did both (and this post does not cover them all). Some stands were there purely to educate and answer questions about their methods or philosophy. It’s a great mix going on and I highly recommend going (two more: Nov 22nd and Dec 20th) for education and/or a full belly. It’s a fun group activity and they couldn’t have picked a better location, where you’ll be reminded of how beautiful this city can be.
Wow, it seems that you had lots of fun at the farmer’s market. Interesting stuff…loved the pictures 🙂
Thank you for sharing! This, along with the recent mention of the Brooklyn Flea Market in NYMag, just makes me want to move to your lovely city even more!
I would love a taste of that lobster roll, and the chocolates 🙂
I love the name “The Bent Spoon”! That always happens to me when I’m trying to get ice cream out of the container with a spoon instead of the scooper.
Mango, I love NYC, except for our long called winter.
Natasha, any chance you’ll come to NY again?
Asianmommy, I didn’t even think of that.
Oh good heavens, this is mecca for me. Thanks for this. Did I see Anthony Bourdain on the Edible Queens title? He’s my sick crush.
EMC, yup, it’s Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert. I’ll send it to you after I read it.
A monthly market? What a great idea! You have me crawling through the screen for the oysters and the lobster roll!! LOL @ those guys “fighting”. Yep, I’m leaning towards fighting, especially since their food wasn’t turning out well.
I might have also pilled with the people in line for chocolate…
This looks like a fabulous event for the curious eater. The freshly shucked oysters looked awesome! I’ll mark the calendar for next month, although I doubt the weather is going to be as gorgeous.
what a great post and beautiful pictures. let’s go back on november 22nd for more ice cream!! i am dreaming of pumpkin ice cream with cocoa nibs. oh, and sea salt caramels. i think you and lon were busy eating oysters while i stuffed my face with caramels.
Bianca, I’m down for going on Nov 22nd if it’s not raining, and it’s a reasonable temperature. Reasonable for me is at least 50 degrees.
Hughie and I got there towards the end of the day. The raw milk cheese was divine from Brooklyn larder (I bought some). Hughie almost lost his mind at the chocolate tasting (Taza) (he got everything except the almond chocolate). Agree that the pate was pretty darn good from the Piggery. Bought the blooming teas for my mom (although she gets them in asia). Lady gave Hughie a free one. Oh, and I thought the granola and jam was good at Spoon.
Porcetta was out. Luke’s line was too long with a toddler in tow. The Marlow event sounded interesting. They were fielding all sorts of nerdy meat questions (e.g. black footed pigs in US).
Oh, and best of all, there’s valet bike service.
Agree that it’s an awesome event. Hughie was in heaven because the kid is a sucker for tastings. Maybe we’ll spot you at the next one.
Becca
Wow, bike valet? You didn’t miss much with Porchetta. I didn’t taste the granola and jam. I’ll meet you at the next one if it’s not too cold or raining.
Just stumbled upon your site! Great photos- mind if I ask what camera/lens you used to capture your food finds?
Thanks Sunny, when this blog first started, it was mostly with a point-and-shoot, after 4/18/2008 it is mostly Canon EOS XTi, and after 11/01/2009 we upgraded to the Canon 7D. Most of the time, I use a 50mm sigma macro.
COOL! I appreciate well captured food. Your photography inspires me. My wife and I are heading to the New Amsterdam Market this Sunday. We hope to eat all the delicious food that you so delectably shot. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you got some great stuff Sunny! Hope you didn’t get rained out too!