The Houndstooth Gourmet

My shoulders relaxed and my breathing became a bit deeper as we traversed the limits of the beltway and headed west on I-66 towards Loudon County. As strip malls gave way to suburban sprawl, we crossed Rt. 15 and the country opening itself up to us. Pastoral roads punctuated by horse farms and antique shops funneled us directly into Middleburg, VA. A town where land originally sold for $2.50 an acre has become known as the “Horse and Hunt Capital” and is home to long time locals as well as well heeled Washingtonians and celebrities such as Robert Duvall and well, Wendy Pepper.

A day trip to Middleburg is an approximate one hour, 45 mile drive west of the Washington D.C. Parking is plentiful in lots and street meters. Among the shops, inns and restaurants is a unique market and eatery called Market Salamander. Resembling a rustic barn on one side, and with a gourmet market and open kitchen on the other side, Market Salamander offers a wide variety of items to fill your pantry and your stomach. Among them are cheeses, wines, olive oils,vinegars, butters and caviar. Amiable chefs work the open kitchen where a chalk board displays the sandwich and entree selection and the sides are displayed in a display case. Opposite is a refrigerated case with tasty looking confections and trifles.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and Frank ordered the crispy chicken BLT. The pulled pork came served on a warmed kaiser roll and was topped with coleslaw. The pork was tender and juicy with a thin bbq sauce that was tomato based with slight tang which lent a North Carolina bbq sauce note to it. The slaw was crisp and creamy, while not being overdressed and was flecked with slivered roasted red bell pepper. I chose the red potato salad side which was redolent of fresh tarragon blended into the creamy dressing. The potato chunks were large and perfectly cooked.
Frank’s crispy chicken BLT came dressed with red pepper mayonnaise in a cheddar wrap. He had a side of the coleslaw and while he enjoyed that, he gave a bigger thumbs up to the potato salad.
We shared a side of macaroni and cheese, because let’s face it, we were hungry and our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. A large portion of creamy fussili pasta was rather boring and bland. It needed to be kicked into adult mac and cheese status with the addition of more pungent cheeses. But for $2, we didn’t mind.
With soft drinks, our meal came to just under $22. And we were too full for dessert.
There is indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outdoors on the side porch and enjoyed people watching. In back a delightful pergola covered terrace offerd more al fresco eating and we noted that dogs were welcome, and pampered actually!
So, perhaps next time we take a trip to lovely Middleburg we’ll take one of our pups along to stroll the streets and enjoy a sandwich. I know I’m going back for the pulled pork…..you had me at “hello”.

Market Salamander
200 West Washington St.
P.O. Box 2082
Middleburg, VA 20118
Map it!
Phone (540) 687-8011
www.market-salamander.com
Powder your nose: Sorry, skipped the ladies room here.
Credit Cards: yes
Additional notes: Market Salamander also offers cooking classes, afternoon tea and catering.

Tags: barbeque, bbq, restaurant, Lunch, Restaurants, Virginia, Markets by Ramona
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The Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA is a slice of main street America, a mere 5 miles from the nation’s capital. This bungalow filled walkable town is how neighborhoods used to be, before we all needed our “space” and 3 car garages. Front porches are close to the street and people can be seen milling about on their way to Mt. Vernon Avenue, or just chatting with neighbors. Independent stores line said Avenue with restaurants, shops and services. There is not a Starbucks to be found here *collective gasp*. And I say, good for them!
Each Saturday from spring through fall, the Del Ray Market is open from 8am to 12pm, at the corner of Mount Vernon and Oxford. The small parking lot accommodates about 15 or so vendors selling produce, meats, pastas, cheeses as well as savory and sweet baked goods. A special shout out goes to Marcella’s Bakery stand for their beef or chicken saltenas!
Folks gather on the grass along the sidewalk to talk with neighbors and rest with their dogs. The ratio of dogs to “no pets allowed signs” is about 3:1. No dogs go into the parking lot, but they are well tolerated just outside the perimeter. Well, just see below!
We had a lovely morning at the market with two of our dogs (black and white one) and took a short ride over to Old Town to enjoy our saltenas by the Potomac River. Enjoy!

Tags: Alexandria, farmers markets, Virginia, Markets by Ramona
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Thanks everyone for participating in the poll! I was happy to see that 50% of the votes went for going to the markets once per week and one third of you go 2 to 3 times per month. Way to go! Here’s are some links to help you find a market near you in the Washington DC area.

Fairfax County Markets
Fresh Farm Markets (DC, VA and MD)
Maryland markets
Virginia Markets
Washington Post list
Eastern Market

Tags: Polls, Markets by Ramona
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On April 30, 2007, the South Hall of Washington D.C.’s historic Eastern Market was devastated by fire. The Capitol Hill marketplace, built in 1873, is one of only a few public markets in D.C. , and the only market that has maintained its initial function since opening.

So in the early hours on that late April morning, when residents and merchants stood transfixed as they witnessed the near destruction of the market, the vow came from Mayor Adrian Fenty that they would rebuild. Nearly 4 months later, a new temporary structure, the East Hall, is up and running east of the South Hall.

The thick humid air did not keep an anxious crowd from gathering outside the East Hall this morning as early as 8 am. Mayor Fenty arrived to greet the patrons and dedicate the temporary market. With merchants surrounding him, Mayor Fenty thanked all who worked on, raised funds for and supported the Eastern Market and it’s merchants since the fire late April. A tile was dedicated and before the ribbon was cut, Mayor Fenty reminisced upon first walking onto the scene of the fire. “The first person who approached me asked me if we would rebuild” remarked Fenty. “We will, I said”.

“You’d better” she replied.

And they did.

As the crowded funneled into the bright, airy and air conditioned hall it became apparent that this “temporary” structure was built with great care and deliberation. Most vendors* had full cases; all adorned with fresh flower bouquets.Large banners hang high above the merchants and are illuminated by natural light coming through the translucent ceiling above. Wider aisles were teaming with patrons greeting vendors like old friends, exchanging smiles and words of welcome.

It felt like something small, but very significant, was put right in the world as I watch them purvey their goods.

It was a great day for D.C. and for those suburbanites like me who also treasure the market. The Phoenix really does arise from the ashes, replete in its’ technicolor plumage as it begins it’s new life. Community does matter and good deeds do go rewarded.

My reward? Well, for tonight a couple of flat iron steaks from Union Meats, and many more Saturday mornings at Eastern Market. I can taste the bluebucks now…

*Market Lunch will open in two weeks when they expect to be fully equipped. The long community table awaits.

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, farmers markets, Markets by Ramona
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This week’s farmers market trip was to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Dupont is one of a half dozen Freshfarm markets. It’s held on Sundays year round.
Being the height of the summer growing season, this D.C. market was bustling today, despite the looming clouds threatening to dowse us with rain (which isn’t a bad thing, we need it badly). Peaches, tomatoes and melons are still going strong. Corn was less abundant, however, I did purchase a type of yellow corn called Mirai™ (pronounced me-RYE) from Toigo Orchards®. To me, Silver Queen (or most supersweet white kernel corn that falls under the same moniker) has been the king of corn. But, this may change.
Mirai™ (meaning “the future is almost here” and “taste”), a yellow, white or bi-colored corn, was developed in 1992 at a seed company in Illinois. It’s popularity in the USA is resurging now after being grown primarily in Japan, where smaller boutique farms would tend to and pick it by hand. With seeds once again available here since 2001, Mirai™ has become known for it’s corn taste, sweetness, tenderness and longevity after picking. It can be stored for longer periods of time due to a decreased starch content. I have read it can keep in the refrigerator anywhere from 17 days to 6 weeks!
So here’s the Mirai™(left) alongside a supersweet white variety that came from Lancaster County PA. The Mirai™ comes from Shippensburg, PA. Tasting the two raw; they were both sweet and juicy. However, after cooking (shown below, with white corn on bottom) in boiling water for 2 minutes, the Mirai™ developed a depth of corn flavor that the white variety didn’t. The white corn remained sugary and did not develop any flavor to speak of.
I’m fortunate I came upon this corn today, as it’s lead me to rediscover what corn should taste like; it ought to retain the flavor of corn and not forsake that for sweetness. I may even consider giving up the butter and salt.

I’m not promising….

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, farmers markets, Markets by Ramona
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