17 April 2011
A RAINY CITY SATURDAY
It’s rare for me to have a weekend in the city. I’m usually at Omaha Beach and the visit to the Matakana Farmers’ Market each Saturday morning at 8am is de rigueur, whatever the weather. So despite horrendous wind and rain, (not to mention a 9am wake-up after my night at Moochowchow) I was off this morning to three central city markets.
Parnell Market at 545 Parnell Rd in the old Foundation for the Blind buildings and car park was my first stop, and my favourite. It’s a fortunate market as they have the luxury of moving inside to the Jubilee Hall when it’s inclement. Like today (see above.) Fabulous vegetables from local growers; baby Asian eggplants, baby leeks, baby carrots are on the menu tomorrow night with a gorgeous looking free-farmed pork rack, produced by happy pigs on a Houhora farm in the far north. I also bought cheese, figs, and the soft white baps from Pukeko Bakery that I can also buy in Matakana. And some Doyenne du Comice pears, which are actually worth their own story (I will post that tomorrow.)
Auckland City market, cnr of Gore and Galway streets in Britomart was really struggling this morning in the wind and rain. A good selection of peppers, pears, breads, and vegetables, but I felt so sorry for the stall holders who had to cling onto their tents. It’s small but sincere market.
But for sheer innovation and imagination you can’t beat the La Cigale French market in the lower end of St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. It was humming. Mike and Elizabeth Lind have no boundaries with their business here, and the harnessing of consultant chef Warwick Brown’s skills and passion for food has taken the market to new heights. Originally the Linds imported French antiques and Parisenne fashion, (still there) but now the focus is imported French food and wine, highly popular casual French dinners Wed-Fri, and the French market on Wed afternoons, and Sat and Sun mornings. It is huge. There are many stall holders in the market area selling artisan produce, delicious food, and much more. I loved the Turkish deli items and bought a stack of Turkish flat bread for an Easter party I’m planning, some fresh raspberries, and Cathedral Cove macadamias. I was tempted by an antique olive urn but didn’t have the $2000 in my purse. I am hanging out for Lotto tonight so I can return tomorrow!