This weekend I paid a visit to T'fia, not to eat at the restaurant (although I plan to soon!), but to check out the farmer's market. What a blast! Despite the rain, Monica had an excellent turnout of local growers and food artisans. The largest grower present had loads of Swiss Chard (mostly rainbow, some green), herbs, bok choi, dandelion greens, various lettuces, baby carrots, cauliflower, and a variety of kales. It was gorgeous! Her prices were excellent as well - I got two bunches (large!) of chard for $4, and I usually pay that for one bunch of organic chard at Central Market. Inside, I met an artisan chocolate maker who specialized in unusual chocolate flavors - my favorite was a dark chocolate with tequila and ancho chile. My husband liked the dark chocolate with pistachios and dried cherries. There were a number of breads, scones, and pastries available, as well as cheese straws and ginger snaps from a non-profit producer whose proceeds all go to a home for those with mental retardation. I met a chicken farmer whose pastured chickens have access to grass and plenty of room to scratch... I bought a chicken from him that had just been processed the day before, and we roasted and ate it last night. It was SO moist and tender, and had great flavor! Monica was there selling scones, there was someone selling incense and someone else selling handmade purses - the atmosphere was so happy! As an added bonus, we got there in time to attend a kitchen demo with Scott Tycer of Aries. We talked about local, seasonal produce and some of his efforts to incorporate more of it into his menus, and then we followed him into the kitchen where we watched him prepare the chard from outside and turn it into a lovely little munchable - a savory thyme pastry filled with the simplest braised greens with cream and bacon. Mmm. I haven't been to Pope's market in the Heights, so I don't know how this one compares. But I do know that I will be back, regularly, to support this worthwhile venture!