Today, I spent lunch with my girlfriend at Cleveland's West Side Market. We went there because I am preparing a birthday tapas party for my roomate and my girlfriend.
If you love to cook, one needs to experience the West Side Market to understand it's magic. The atmosphere is very thrilling - the fresh smells of different produce (I go here specifically for the manioc root which I have trouble finding elsewhere) and the deafening raucous just heightens all your senses and gets you excited to look at everything around you.
You begin by walking through the open air produce section where several local vendors are bidding for your business, that they have the best produce, and they can give a great deal. They'll slice off pieces of tender pineapple for you try, or make you sniff how sweet their peaches are. And when you finally decide to select one of the items, you immediately get the next offer of another produce and the great deal he'll give because he likes you.
As you make it out of the produce section, you enter the West Side building where you’ll find an abundant selection of fresh meats and cheeses, spices, and local specialties. Though one could argue that the meats may not be fresher than a grocery store, the selection, price, and variety of different cuts cannot be beaten. I bought a 4 lb London Broil and it was the smallest piece the butcher had! I also purchased fresh churned Wisconsin butter and quality extra virgin and vegetable oil. It is imperative to go with a game plan in mind, or you’ll just end up buying everything in sight!
We finished off our trip to the market buying grabbing lunch (I had a gyro and she had a bratwurst with sauerkraut sandwich) and sitting upstairs overlooking the whole market. It was a perfect way to end the shopping.
If you have not made it to the Cleveland West Side Market yet, I highly recommend that you do.
