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Posted
1 hour ago, Maison Rustique said:

@blue_dolphin What fun!! Was Steve there? That area is so different since I lived in OC. I've got that place on my list to check out if I ever get back to SoCal any time soon.


That area of downtown Santa Ana is really charming. Next year, I’ll try to get tickets to more of the Encuentro events - it’s 3-day weekend of Peace, Love & Beans - and stay overnight. There was an art walk, movie screenings, panel discussions related to food and drag bingo, among other things. 

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Posted

@blue_dolphin I've been meaning to visit that market, especially since discovering the relatively new Northgate market in Costa Mesa - I know Northgate is a chain, and if you've been to one, is it possible to compare the two?

Posted
3 hours ago, jedovaty said:

@blue_dolphin I've been meaning to visit that market, especially since discovering the relatively new Northgate market in Costa Mesa - I know Northgate is a chain, and if you've been to one, is it possible to compare the two?


I think they are quite different but I haven’t been to a Northgate, so I could be wrong.  I've always thought Northgate was a supermarket, similar to Vallarta, which has more locations in my area.

Alta Baja Market is more of a specialty shop than a supermarket. They carry some food items like heirloom beans, grains and flours, ground chiles, sauces and condiments, along with a selection of wines and spirits but no fresh produce, meat, frozen or refrigerated goods. They have a reach-in cooler stocked with beer and nonalcoholic beverages but it’s not a place you could do your weekly shopping. It’s possible they offer more than I saw as they had tables squeezed into every corner for this event.

 

That said, I think it's worth a visit. Nice selection of La Chamba and other pottery, cookbooks and other books and gift items. I thought their prices for the wines and spirits were on the high side but they are specialty items and not as widely available.  I’d like to try their cafe offerings. They host various events like cooking classes that sound appealing. 

If you go, you might pay a visit to Mr. Diablito, a fruit vendor across the street at 4th & Bush.  He made the delicious agua fresca served at our meal. 

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