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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>

<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>

<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 stand soccer food that can be consumed on the spot at the tables scattered around.  </p>

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