DC Market Weekends and Giveaway

Takorean at Union Market

I am a big fan of food markets.  I love to admire great food on display and the people behind the booth selling their passion.  When I travel, I make it a point to check out the markets.  My favorites are Mercado San Miguel in Spain and the Markthalle in Stuttgart. Back in the US, I was excited to hear about the Union Market in DC.  With all my weekend trips, I had not been able to sample it until this weekend.  I was quite impressed with the discovery.

Sampling Cava at Mercado San Miguel with my favorite Madrilena…

After so many rainy and cold summers in Belgium, the heat and humidity in DC has been no joke to me.  Just as Brussels has no summer, Washington has no spring.  I was happy to discover an air conditioned space filled with so many yummy options.  The great part of the layout is that is is a big open space.  Although you are indoors, it gives you an airy sensation of an outdoor market.  My favorite stand so far is Takorean.  It mixes two of my favorite cuisines, Korean and Mexican surprisingly well.  I indulged in bulgogi kimchi tacos which were to die for.  I also picked up skirt steaks at Red Apron which I grilled with a whiskey dry rub from Bazaar.  I have visited Union Market twice so far and it is rapidly becoming one of my favorite places in DC.

The scene at Union Market

As much as I miss Brussels still, I am enamored with my neighborhood, Bloomingdale.  There are so many new things popping up in the neighborhood.  Although it is in the middle of the DC, it feels like a community.  No better way to see this than at the Bloomingdale Farmer’s market.  People gather early on Sunday mornings to pickup fresh bread at a mobile boulanger (love I can speak French with him), indulge in local cheese, pies, ice cream.  We also enjoy having a coffee at Big Bear Cafe and watch everything come together: the kids under the sprinklers beating the heat, hipsters buying pies, and young couples picking our herbs for their home.

Loving my Neighborhood at Bloomingdale Farmers Market

I love the concept of outdoor eating and markets.  Last summer, I spent two weeks in DC.  During the visit, I had many experiences which sold my repatriation.  One of the events was the National Barbecue Battle. My friends and I went to sample BBQ from all over the country.  It’s pure Americana: eating BBQ with a view of the Capitol.  The event returns this weekend (June 22-23) and Zinio, (a digital magazine app) will make a stop at the BBQ Battle as they participate with the Big Bite Tour.  As part of the Tour, Zinio is sponsoring Big Bite for the Cure: When someone makes a donation to Breast Cancer Research, for as little as $1, Zinio will thank them with three digital magazines for free.
Here comes the giveaway:  I’m giving away free Zinio subscriptions to the first 9 comments.  What is your favorite DC outdoor market or eating experience?  Which market should I visit next?

*Repatriation Adventures is being compensated by Zinio, Inc.