The Marketplace: One-Stop-Shop for Artisan Foods
If you’re lucky enough to work near Alameda, the ideal lunch break destination is in your range. Centrally located on Park Avenue near the Oakland border, the Marketplace houses a range of vendors offering all-natural, gourmet foods. Choose between handmade deli options at Culina, freshly made bento boxes at Sushi King, or organic grocery items at the Alameda Natural Grocery. In addition to finding yourself some good eats, you’ll hardly ever compete with a big, bumpy crowd during your limited time away from the desk.
The Marketplace is located in what used to be the location of a Ford Motor dealership. Today, the 20,000-square-foot 1930’s-era brick building is completely transformed, with a spacious, open market feel, high ceilings with skylights and open beam trusses, and a nice layout of artisan merchants.
Relatively small in size, the Marketplace can be navigated from one end to the other within minutes. But chances are, you’ll want to stop and browse, finding some elusive cooking utensils at Patricia’s Pantry, stopping for fair-trade coffee at the Brewery, or grabbing a handmade dessert at Feel Good Bakery. If you’re shopping for dinner, there’s grass-fed meat and fresh seafood at Baron’s and organic fruits and veggies at the Natural Grocery. The grocery is also a good place to buy some all-natural household products and loose granolas and oatmeal for breakfast.
When you’re on the way to a party, the Marketplace makes a convenient go-to spot to purchase a quality dessert or houseware gift. The friendly folks at Farmstead Cheeses & Wines can also help you select a quality, hard-to-find bottle of wine, paired with a nice artisan cheese.
In addition to the grab-and-go options, there’s a full-service restaurant in the building. Ching Hua serves traditional Chinese food in a modern, upscale environment. All the businesses in the Marketplace are independently and locally owned, and overall, it’s great to have so many sustainable food choices in one place. Prices aren’t bad either, and the atmosphere is surprisingly low key. Makes it easy to move toward healthier dining choices.
HelloOakland tip: Free parking is available in two lots adjacent to and across the street from the Marketplace.
Posted by Renee Rutledge
