The Other Seattle Market

The Travel Section of The New York Times recently brought this to my attention: As if having one of the most famous farmer’s markets (that would be Pike Place) wasn’t enough, Seattle now has another permanent place to buy fresh produce from independent growers.

Melrose Market, named for its position on Melrose Avenue in Capitol Hill, has all the goodies you might expect to find at a market in a city so popular among foodies. There’s Homegrown, a “sustainable sandwich” shop, where local and organic are the most important sandwich ingredients. There’s an artisan cheese shop, an organic flower shop with “blooms and edibles,” and a place to buy beer and wine. And if fruits and veggies aren’t enough to fill your plate, there’s also a butchery – Rain Shadow Meats, which even has a custom curing room.

Chef Matt Dillon even moved up the hill, planting his restaurant Sitka & Spruce right in Melrose, and using the market’s produce and cheeses in his own menu.

With tons of clubs, bars and hip restaurants, Capitol Hill has long been a place to visit. But Melrose Market is another great one, and also targets a slightly different crowd.

[image courtesy of moon angel]