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<p style="text-align: justify;">A little off my usual Spanish theme but a subject very near and dear to my heart: markets where you can buy great products and also eat, drink and be entertained.  A great find in DC on my last visit, <a href="http://unionmarketdc.com/" target="_blank" title="Union Market in Washington DC">Union market</a>, is a great new project in a transitioning neighborhood behind Union Station.  It is still in development, but already offers lots to visitors: quality farmers market produce and food stands, boutique shopping, food truck casual eats, and various types of casual restaurants.  They have great parking and are within walking distance from the NOMA-Gaullaudet stop.  It&#39;s no <a href="http://planetavino.net/2013/01/15/madrid-tapas-mercado-de-san-miguel/" target="_blank" title="Madrid&#39;s Mercado de San Miguel for tapas and wine">Mercado de San Miguel</a>, but I loved it!  Already a great place to go and tons of potential!</p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">The market has been open since November of 2012 and is open Thursday through Sunday. They have just expanded the hours in the evening....hopefully they can attract an evening crowd on the weekends.  It was pretty crowded still when I left at 7PM on a recent Saturday.  </p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">It&#39;s a modern, large, light-filled space.  It seems a bit intimidating at first, but a large empty spot where you first enter will soon be filled by a new restaurant project.  Despite this it&#39;s all very inviting once you venture in a bit further...the vendors are all very friendly and super knowledgeable....often it&#39;s the producer or farmer themselves who is attending you.</p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">There are great stands for produce, spice, teas, smoked fish, olive oil, and even pickles.  Butchers and meat farmers are a particular stand out, offering organic and humane meats of all sorts.   You can sample the wonderful hummus and baba ghannouj at the middle eastern stand.  Also most all the stands offer food that can be consumed on the spot at the tables scattered around.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">There is a great shop called Salt&Sundry with an eclectic selection of everything you need for elegant decorating and entertaining.  I found some cool tonic syrups there I had been wanting for gin and tonics.  </p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">Food choices are varied and also eclectic.  I didn&#39;t get a chance to try Buffalo&bergen, but was fascinated but the modern take on the classic soda shop...definite twists with adult drinks and knishes of various types included!  Loved the Korean tacos from TaKorean...make sure to ask for extra toppings, especially the kimchi!  </p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">But my absolute favorite...I ate there twice in 2 days...was Rappahanock Oysters Co....who can resist the freshest oysters in town!  They get their oysters right from their own beds in the Chesapeake Bay and they are usually three varieties to choose form daily, from sweet to more briny.  Really just pure and delicious....you can convert the faint-hearted with these!  Also great the boiled shrimp and the tuna tartare.  Sad I didn&#39;t try an unusual lamb and clam dish...sounded so great.  Good drinks list.  I had a bracing gin cocktail the first day and a nice Muscadet white wine the second....both excellent with oysters.</p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;">One glaring absence is a good wine place but on a website it&#39;s says a place called Cordial will be opening soon with local wines and beers.  Sounds promising....</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">One other problem is the metro and neighborhood.  The parking is good but then you have the drinking issue.  The metro is really close but it&#39;s a scary walk after dark unless you are in a big group.  So as the market concept expands hopefully and its open later hours for an evening crowd, a solution may have to be thought up.  It would be a shame to lose that metro business.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Overall a really cool concept and I&#39;m really rooting for it&#39;s continued success and expansion.   </p>

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