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Crystal City Farmer's Market


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Looks like a nice addition to the farmers' market roster - especially with vendors like MeatCrafters and Red Apron Butcher Shop on the list (among many other nice choices).

Red Apron is a figment of our collective imaginations... I'm not believing they exist until they show up at a market. Hopefully soon!

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I work in Crystal City and am way excited to learn that a farmers market is coming. In addition to the thousands of government contractors working here, there are also a number of condo buildings, etc... around to help fuel the success of this addition.

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I work in Crystal City and am way excited to learn that a farmers market is coming. In addition to the thousands of government contractors working here, there are also a number of condo buildings, etc... around to help fuel the success of this addition.

Not to mention that our daughters love to get out and see all the vendors at outdoor markets. Fresh produce yum!

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Looks like a nice addition to the farmers' market roster - especially with vendors like MeatCrafters and Red Apron Butcher Shop on the list (among many other nice choices).

I went this evening after work and sadly there was no MeatCrafters or Red Apron Butcher Shop. This is the second farmers market in the DC area that has touted the addition of Red Apron and then not deliver. I was really looking forward to picking up some of his prosciutto for a homemade grilled pizza too.

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I don't know what the delay is at the markets, but you can find Red Apron in the deli case at Planet Wine (next to Evening Star in Del Ray) or on the panini served at Buzz. (Yum.)

I was glad to see Bigg Riggs at Crystal City -- one more place to see them without having to go to Old Town. (They'll also be at the Upper King Street Market in Alexandria but it doesn't open till June.)

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I went this evening after work and sadly there was no MeatCrafters or Red Apron Butcher Shop. This is the second farmers market in the DC area that has touted the addition of Red Apron and then not deliver. I was really looking forward to picking up some of his prosciutto for a homemade grilled pizza too.
Please understand that there are many factors not in control of either the much anticipated businesses or the farmers markets. You might be peeved (feel free to start a thread on the subject :D ), but imagine what it must be like for the small business or the market under such circumstances! Especially for a new business that needs the profits, I might add.

Second, it would seem that when BLB and I reported purchases made from Red Apron at a different market last week, our posts were not clear enough, so we both posted again to verify that Red Apron had, indeed, attended a farmers market last week.

Finally, please come prepared to be flexible about what you might find, especially if you are not standing in front of one of these charcutiers' tents at the time the opening bell rings. Though I may be mistaken, I don't think Red Apron makes prosciutto and it calls something like Roman pancetta (slabs vs. rolls) Tesa. (I am not sure why the web site for Crystal City lists prosciutto, so I am going to ask again.) Its products sell quickly, especially in good weather.

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You can also call Tallulah and pick up Red Apron products from there, based on availability.

Please understand that there are many factors not in control of either the much anticipated businesses or the farmers markets. You might be peeved (feel free to start a thread on the subject :D ), but imagine what it must be like for the small business or the market under such circumstances! Especially for a new business that needs the profits, I might add.

Second, it would seem that when BLB and I reported purchases made from Red Apron at a different market last week, our posts were not clear enough, so we both posted again to verify that Red Apron had, indeed, attended a farmers market last week.

Finally, please come prepared to be flexible about what you might find, especially if you are not standing in front of one of these charcutiers' tents at the time the opening bell rings. Though I may be mistaken, I don't think Red Apron makes prosciutto and it calls something like Roman pancetta (slabs vs. rolls) Tesa. (I am not sure why the web site for Crystal City lists prosciutto, so I am going to ask again.) Its products sell quickly, especially in good weather.

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A rare Tuesday in the city lead me across the river to Crystal City on my way home tonight. A nice little market but not something I would go out of my way for, at least not right now.

No sign of Meatcrafters or Red Apron. I had a chocolate croissant from Baguette Republic that was nice but didn't hold a candle to the stuff that Quail Creek Farm produces. I also picked up strawberries and asparagus from a West Virginia farm and cucumbers from Toigo.

And I have to confess, I think I'm a market snob or something because I was deeply bothered by the Pickled Turnips at Great Harvest Breads--imported from Lebanon. Not that there is anything wrong with imported pickled turnips from Lebanon. I just don't associate imported foods with my local farmers markets.

Oh well. I've got Penn Quarter on Thursday to look forward to and the WV strawberries are tasty. You can never have too many strawberries.

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From the Crystal City BID email I just received:

Today's market features the following farmers and producers.

Atwater's Bakery: artisan breads, scones, cookies, organic ingredients

Baguette Republic: baguettes, boules, challah, focaccia, rolls

Barajas Produce: beans, beets, broccoli, herbs, salad mix, mustard green and more

BIGG Riggs Farms: apple butter, hot pepper jelly, vodka sauce, fruit jams

Cherry Glen Goat Cheese: fresh Chevre, fresh Ricotta and 5 types of bloomy-rind goat cheeses

Four Seasons Nursery: cut flowers & herbs, culinary and medicinal herb plants

Graces Pastries: quick cakes, breads, scones

Great Harvest Bread Co.: breads, cookies, baked goods

Guata Java: premium Guatemalan coffee

LynnVale Studios: over 100 different kinds of specialty cut flowers and culinary herbs

Mount Vernon Farm: 100% grass-fed beef, lamb and pastured pork

Red Apron Butcher Shop: cured and non-cured meats- soppresata, bresaola, salami, proscuitto and more

Salsa Las Glorias: Salsas and Pico de Gallo made with locally grown ingredients

St. Ambrose Apiaries: Honey, honey related products, 100% beeswax candles

Teaco: wide varieties of loose leaf teas

The Orchid Station: blooming orchid plants, cut flowers

Toigo Orchards: apple sauce, apple/pear butter, pasta sauce, honey and fresh fruits

Tysons Farms: wide varieties of seasonal fruits and vegetables including peaches, plums, cherries, berries, beans, zuccini, peppers, cabbage, beans, eggplants and much more

Walnut Hill Farm: seasonal vegetables including corn, potatos, beans, kohlrabi, onions, watermelon and more

Westmoreland Produce: seasonal vegetables and fruits, container plants, cut herbs and flowers

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Both Red Apron and Meat Crafters were at Crystal City this week. No Cherry Glen though, and I'd been counting on goat cheese for a picnic dinner. Had to fill up on Meat Crafters' samples for our protein instead.

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Both Red Apron and Meat Crafters were at Crystal City this week. No Cherry Glen though, and I'd been counting on goat cheese for a picnic dinner. Had to fill up on Meat Crafters' samples for our protein instead.

Same story this week. This is a nice (not so) little market - lots of vendors with a great variety. Plenty of sour and sweet cherries to choose from, along with 'transparent' apples - which I hadn't heard of before, heirloom tomatoes, orchids, coffee, tea, baked goods, etc. I'll be stopping by again on my way home from work.
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Red Apron is a figment of our collective imaginations... I'm not believing they exist until they show up at a market. Hopefully soon!

Red Apron Butchery will also be joining the new Glover Park-Burleith Farmers' Market this Saturday. The market is in upper Georgetown on Wisconsin Ave. in the Hardy Middle School parking lot across from the "social Safeway." It runs from 9 am -1 pm on Saturdays (rain or shine) through October 3rd. More info at www.dcgreens.org

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Today is opening day for the 2011 Crystal City market - 3:00 - 7:00 pm.

Info from FreshFarm's newsletter:

Farmers and producers at market on Opening Day:

~ Atwaters

~ Barajas Produce

~ Bigg Riggs Farm

~ Coulter Farm (NEW)

~ Everona Dairy

~ Gunpowder Bison

~ Harmony (First Tuesdays only!)

~ Harvest (NEW)

~ Haskins Family Farm

~ Kuhn Orchard

~ Lynnvale Studios

~ Rockahock

~ Salsa Las Glorias

~ Sweet Green Flo Mobile

~ Toigo Orchard

At market this week:

Chef at Market Demo: Omar Rodriquez of Jaleo Crystal City at 3:30pm. Live Music: Rick Franklin.

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The eggs from Coulter Farm are amazing - I do believe the best I've found. They're what I'd describe as a 'normal' size - not large or extra-large - with rich golden yolks.

Picked up some nice "pie" (sour) cherries from Kuhn Orchards.

There was a new (to me) cheese vendor selling Oberhasli goat cheese.

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First visit last Tues. Lovely market and what's more, it sits on the shady side of an office building which is huge for me. Standing on hot macadam in summer is not for me!

Coulter's eggs are exactly what goldenticket says-- incredibly rich, deep orange and I would call their size large. I also bought Coulter's baby swiss, a bargain @ $4/lb.

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First visit last Wed. Lovely market and what's more, it sits on the shady side of an office building which is huge for me. Standing on hot macadam in summer is not for me!

Coulter's eggs are exactly what goldenticket says-- incredibly rich, deep orange and I would call their size large. I also bought Coulter's baby swiss, a bargain @ $4/lb.

Say hi next time :mellow:

I'm glad you like the eggs. I enjoyed Kuhn's sweet cherries and apricots last week.

(one minor correction - the Crystal City market is on Tuesdays :unsure: )

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Just got word from one of the vendors that effective August 14 (week after next), the Crystal City Market will be located just off 18th Street, near the Metro entrance. (see attached map for details)

Lots of good vendors every week - wonderful fruit, produce, meat, eggs, cheese, bread, salsa, etc. A new(ish) addition in Shells Yes!, who have crab cakes, crab soup, crab dip, and a very tasty crab and corn hummus.

post-348-0-96018400-1344015273_thumb.jpg

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Just got word from one of the vendors that effective August 14 (week after next), the Crystal City Market will be located just off 18th Street, near the Metro entrance. (see attached map for details)

Lots of good vendors every week - wonderful fruit, produce, meat, eggs, cheese, bread, salsa, etc. A new(ish) addition in Shells Yes!, who have crab cakes, crab soup, crab dip, and a very tasty crab and corn hummus.

Update since I went to Crystal City for the first time in over a year myself this week and was happy to see Mr. monavano there.

The date of the relocation of the market has been postponed, though the farmers and producers at the market should know full details by the time of next Tuesday's market, August 14.

So, plan on visiting at its current location next week where the sound of welding overhead explains the reason for the move. EZ-Up tents are great when it rains, but they don't offer much protection from the demolition of an adjacent building.

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The Crystal City market has been open for about a month now, still on Tuesdays, but in a different location than past years. They set up just across the Metro, at the corner of 18th and Bell.

Most (if not quite all) of the vendors from last year are there. The market is less spread out, so it's a little easier and faster to shop. Looking forward to stopping by today to pick up some eggs from Coulter's, fruit and veggies from Kuhn's, Barajas, and whatever else looks good on this beautiful afternoon.

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The parking is extremely limited at the new location. I had missed the announcement that Haskins Farm was stopping their production--very sad that they aren't there anymore. I seem to be breaking farmers this year. I miss having Gunpowder Bison there as well.

I'm sure the new vendors are all perfectly lovely but I get a little cranky when they have zero signs indicating who they are.

I usually only have half a dozen Tuesday's that I would go each summer but I don't think I'll make the effort again this year.

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The parking is extremely limited at the new location.

There is a ton of free (after 4pm) underground public parking just below the market. The garage entrance is on the north side of 18th St., halfway between Crystal Dr and Bell St.Turn left after going through the ticket gate and head to the back wall; the elevator right there will take you up to the lobby that opens out to where the market is located. The parking IS tight for the vendors.

And here's a market layout that shows which vendors are where :) They all had signs when I was there (except maybe Barajas, and they never seem to have a sign).

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, fruit and veggies from Kuhn's, .

I get a bag of their Gold Rush apples every week. If you've never had a Gold Rush, check them out. For my money, they blow away Honeycrisp or Fuji or Pink Lady or any other. Their sweetness is incredible (but make sure you eat them cold for the best flavor)

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Shells Yes is selling crab meat because they're doing to picking now. Yay! Biggest lumps of crab I've ever seen made for crab cakes so good that I actually feel sorry for folks who can't get fresh Chesapeake crab themselves!

Coulter's eggs-- still really good.

Toigo's strawberries first showing is respectable and worth $6 for the generous quart.

Parking situation had deteriorated a bit, yes.

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I get a bag of their Gold Rush apples every week. If you've never had a Gold Rush, check them out. For my money, they blow away Honeycrisp or Fuji or Pink Lady or any other. Their sweetness is incredible (but make sure you eat them cold for the best flavor)

What timing! Kuhn's e-newsletter just included a link to a (previously published) story on the controlled atmosphere storage of their apples. They definitely are my favorite place to get apples of all varieties any time of year!

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What timing! Kuhn's e-newsletter just included a link to a (previously published) story on the controlled atmosphere storage of their apples. They definitely are my favorite place to get apples of all varieties any time of year!

And their stalls are visually enticing, especially at 14th St. I always find myself snapping photos of their displays.

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