#spicemakesnice

"Move over partisan politics, we're reclaiming DC in the name of artisan plates." 

The Lowdown:  Any place that stamps the words "YUM" on your hand as you enter the venue is a place I’d like to spend my Sunday. This is an event conceived by, and curated for foodie-millennials. It’s almost, just almost, too cool for DC. With over 60 of the most lauded food artisans from across the country and region participating -- think Momofuku Milk Bar serving up everything from their famous Crack Pie to the much anticipated DC Laotian restaurant, Thip Khao and their spicey herb sausages -- This place had something for everyone; each booth serving up their crowd pleasing home runs all under one roof.

My first impression: I can smell the food. I can smell the hipsters. Are we in Seattle? Brooklyn? LA? Could this really be my city? The recently revived Union Market is set in the peripheries of the mainstream corridors of DC. It is a terrific, budding rose in the heart of an up and coming, diverse, and historically rich neighborhood. It's unique, charming, and a welcome diversion away from the familiar. 

What I had: Every booth was dishing out SWAG in the form of beautiful delicacies. Some of the select winners for me: Momofuku’s orgasmic and addictive Crack Pie; Spice Makes Nice’s spicy Javanese Chicken in warm creamy ratatouille, a sampling of whisky, red wine, and garlic infused cured meats from Creminelli’s Italian Fine Meats; one of DC favorites, Luke’s Lobster Roll’s buttery, crispy roll overflowing with chunky, fresh lobster bites; soon to open Thip Khao’s herb infused spicy sausages and chili jam over cucumber; and a Union Market Hot Toddy to wash it down - perfectly spiced and topped with an orange slice for a fall weather warming effect. 

The best part: That all this is in DC. I still can’t get over that. 

Good for: An energizing culinary adventure that will transport you into an-other-city-like experience. For those days you want to get out of the city, without leaving the city. 

The worst part: Tucked away behind old food warehouses, inscribed in Chinese, Arabic, and Thai lettering this place is charming; but also out of the way. I’ve seen other cities give more reverence to the local food scene, placing them at the center of the action (think Borough market in London). But, I get it: if Union Market's location will bring renewed growth and movement into a part of DC that’s seen little of it in the past decades, then I’m more than willing to drive in and revel in food glory, anytime. 

Location: 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

Momofuku Crack pies and Hot Toddies. Bliss. 

Luke’s Lobster Roll, warm, buttery, chunky, fresh. delightful. 

Creminelli Fine Meat’s Italian cured delicacies - whisky, red wine, and garlic infused meat combination

Wildflour Fine Baking Co.’s eye teasing macaroons and petite fours

DC never tasted so good ;) 

Super talented, and super nice - the chef behind the genius of Spice Makes Nice’s mouthwatering recipes

Jalapeno and breadcrumb baked mac-and cheese

Yours truly with foodie partner in crime, Hoda!