La Jolla Farmers’ Market - Part 2

I know I already posted about the La Jolla Farmers’ Market (May 2008), but recently I discovered some exciting new vendors with remarkable products, and I can’t stop myself from telling you about them.

First, the darling Swiss couple pictured to the right are serving authentic birchermuesli and a wonderful apple pastry. After consuming both items, I considered yodeling to show my enthusiasm.

I also sampled at 410 Degrees (http://www.410degrees.com/) where Derek Jaeger and his partner Adam Koven produce the most delicious cookies I have ever tasted – and that’s a lot (which explains why I am not a size 8.)

Consider this: their signature PB Overload contains Reese’s chips and a thick peanut butter crème. The lemon basil cookie is made with candied macadamia nuts and dried berries. I could go on, but writing about them is activating my sweet tooth. Check out their website and then taste the real thing at the market.

On the non-food side of things: Toni Renier at Square Meadows (http://www.squaremeadows.com/) is a photographer who transfers her images to tiles that can be used for table tops, tile walls, or decorative floors. She also puts her pictures on tee-shirts, coffee mugs, greeting cards, and other personalized gifts. In addition, she can use your photos in any of these applications.

Wendy Telford (http://www.telfordimports.com/) travels to Italy and brings home beautiful hand-painted ceramics that are both useful and decorative.

Having raved about muesli, and cookies, and ceramics – I have to tell you that the most memorable vender was Omar Sao, selling fabulous colorful African baskets.

“The women in my village made baskets and let me sell them to pay my tuition. Now I’ve graduated and I’m still selling baskets and sending the money to them,” he told me. “Many people rely on the money I send, so I have to sell a lot of baskets.”

That shouldn't be hard because these baskets are really stunning.

The Market (http://www.lajollamarket.com/) takes place every Sunday from 9am to 1pm on the playground of La Jolla Elementary School on upper Girard (in the village).

Go – and treat yourself to some birchermuesli. Then do something nice for the women in Omar’s village.

La Jolla Farmers' Market

The La Jolla farmers' market is a perfect example of a really cool thing that doesn't get on the radar screen of most visitors. It's held every Sunday from 9am - 1pm on the playground of La Jolla Elementary on "upper Girard." That's the part of our main drag that extends south of Pearl Street.

The market - officially it's the "La Jolla Elementary Open Aire Market" - is popular with lots of locals who are there every week stocking up on fruit, veggies, and flowers. However, even if you are traveling and not cooking (hey, I live here and don't cook) there are lots of other reasons to go.

Personally, I love the jewelry - especially the fact that if I see something I like, but it's not exactly what I want, the artisan will often offer to take a custom order. Even the woman who sells the Deruta pottery wrote down the description of the planter I wanted and brought it back from Italy on her next trip. Other vendors sell colorful cotton tablecloths, Oriental rugs, handmade pottery, and a wide range of clever clothing.

The market is also a great place to find gourmet food items - to keep or to gift. I often buy the flavored olive oil, the handcrafted salsa, and the organic salad dressing. Having said that, in truth, my favorite market foods are the highly-addictive kettle corn and anything from Charlie's Best Breads.

More than 75 vendors set up stalls every week. Another ten or so, set up mini-kitchens. I don't know how they manage in such small spaces, but I've had some great Mexican dishes from this mobile food court, as well as crepes, gyros, kebabs, and barbecued chicken. The shaded picnic tables also make a good spot for people watching.

It's a bit of a carnival really. Serious foodies march from stall to stall procuring ingredients; kids run wild in the play area; folks stand in line for a chair massage; and live music puts a smile on everyone's face.

It can be crowded, and you may have to maneuver around baby strollers and step over a few dog leashes, but if you go, you'll see why it's my favorite slice of La Jolla life.