Eastern Market: DC's eclectic spot
Every city of European influence contains a public market with food stalls for people to wander past and gaze at cuts of meat, hunks of cheese and luscious farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and Washington is no different. Its establishment is the Eastern Market, a popular weekend site for locals and visitors, in an up-and-coming pocket of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Opened in 1873 and operated continuously until a fire in 2007, then re-opened in 2009, Eastern Market served as a place for residents to food shop and as a way to draw people into the neighborhood, successfully. Today, it continues to function as a farmers' market and weekend flea market; it also hosts a number of artisans and antique dealers who sell their crafts and goods. Special events are often held at the Eastern Market, from political jaunts, art shows and fundraisers to weddings. There's tango every Thursday evening, open to the public.
The historic structure is a simple long, echoing hall lined with food stalls on either side, meats, fruit and flowers on display. The outside is tented off and shades farmers' stands and their palettes of vegetables and fruits for sale on the weekend. The farmers come from local farms in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, and also sell snacks in addition to produce.
There's a long lunch counter – the only one – that serves breakfast until noon, then switches immediately to lunch. Called simply “Market Lunch”, the counter has a very long wait line before reaching the counter to order, but it's well worth it. If you're looking for breakfast, make sure to go early so you don't become the cut-off for lunch while waiting on the line. For breakfast, the blueberry buckwheat pancakes (need we say more?) are a must. For lunch, there's a soft-shell crab sandwich, other fish sandwiches, and charbroiled burgers. The counter sells lemonade and southern-style sweet tea, which may be a little sweeter than some can handle. Eat at the counter, or snag a table outside in the sun.
Every Sunday there's a flea market with nearly 100 exhibitors from five continents. This is separate from the other weekend artists who sell through the Eastern Market. Many of the flea market businesses eventually go on to become full-fledged businesses outside the Market, but get their start at Eastern Market. Browse from antiques to art to pet care and rugs and hats, and go home with a new treasure every time.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
