While the Bean is running, I visit the Farmers Market behind the Montalban Theater and see what's good. There is a lot that is clearly shipped in and not produced by the people who are selling it, but there's a lot of cool stuff at great prices, too. It's where I bought goat cheese recently, which I haven't really indulged in since I lived in Wisconsin several eons ago. I also got some beautiful French filet green beans that will be dinner in a day or two (blanched, tossed with garlic, chili flakes, lime zest, basil and shrimp, with rice), some nearly-overripe tomatoes that were going for a song, some awesomely sweet and gimungous peaches, and a few bunches of herbs.
There is a Sunday FM near my house as well, but it's much smaller, although in general the prices are better. But I like the more urban FMs because of the diversity of offerings. In addition to different kinds of eggplant and figs, there's an interesting sourdough bread stand, and lots and lots of fresh juice vendors. They are free with their samples, because they want you to patronize them at other times of the week in other city FMs.
I have to get breakfast there, but I pass the sausage wraps and stuff and head to the little side street, stopping to get a very large cup of plain old coffee. Sometimes I have chicken pad thai, sometimes a couple of samosas; it's got to be something I wouldn't or couldn't make for myself. If you go, hit the samosa stand. They are these big tetrahedrons of perfectly crisped dough filled up with potatoes and peas so fragrant with spices, you'll swoon. The sauce is also fruity and spicy and is not all gooey and viscous. The samosas sit in their sauce and soak up a little and you think you are in heaven.
I probably won't go again until the Sunday running clubs start up again, but if I have a samosa craving, well...
