Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Marty's Market (Strip District)...and more Pgh Taco Truck

The Strip District has been undergoing some exciting new developments lately, and if you're in the neighborhood for some food shopping - because what else would you be doing in the Strip?? - you will find a new wonderful option in Marty's Market.

Since the departure of Right By Nature last year, the corner of 23rd and Smallman Streets had remained vacant for months, which gave this part of the Strip District a somewhat desolate feel, in my opinion. But when Marty's Market, named after owner Regina Koetters' father, took over the space, it has brought along a sense of renewal and vibrancy.  With an open design and transparent garage doors that give the shop plenty of natural lighting and a bright and welcoming atmosphere, Marty's Market is dedicated to providing natural, regionally-sourced, ethical, and organic foods to our community.

But Marty's Market is so much more than just a grocery store.

The front of the shop houses a coffee bar with a sidewalk counter.  Inside, you'll find a cafe serving panini, soups, appetizers, and hot dishes, all prepared in the open kitchen in the back, with cafe seating both inside and out.  Sitting prominently between the cafe and the groceries is a modern food theater where cooking demos, classes, and other events are held.  Indeed, Marty's Market is not just a grocery store, but a community-oriented space where you'll want to hang out.  In addition, Marty's Market is so dedicated to the local community that not only is the food sourced locally as much as possible through connections with nearby farms, but even the decor reflects the restaurants and artists of Pittsburgh, like the light fixtures made with colanders donated by local eateries and the pasty domes featuring handles made by local artists.  Every single detail has been thoughtfully put together.

Marty's Market
The coffee bar with sidewalk seating at Marty's Market

Marty's Market
Inside Marty's Market

Marty's Market
Fresh produce at Marty's Market

Marty's Market
Fresh produce at Marty's Market

Marty's Market
Lamp fixtures in the food theater featuring colanders donated by local Pittsburgh
restaurants

Marty's Market
Pastry dome featuring cupcake top made by a local artist

As if the herbicide-, pesticide-free produce and the shop's own butcher counter featuring antibiotic-, hormone-free meat aren't awesome enough, I was especially impressed by the fact that Marty's Market is the only store I'm aware of in Pittsburgh that stocks two very amazing products: Askinosie chocolate, recently named amongst the best chocolate in America by Bon Appetit Magazine, and ice cream sandwiches from Jeni's Ice Creams (in addition to Jeni's ice cream pints, of course - also considered among the best in the country).  Regina Koetters is a woman after my own heart, as Marty's Market is pretty much the kind of market I would open if I were to be in the business.

Askinosie Chocolate at Marty's Market
Askinosie Chocolate at Marty's Market

Jeni's Ice Cream Sandwiches at Marty's Market
Jeni's ice cream sandwiches, available only at Marty's Market

I've also had a chance to try out something from Chef Alan's cafe menu: Fresh fiori pasta with perfectly  tender and juicy beef short rib ragout, topped with delicious fresh Burrata cheese and gremolata to round out the dish.

Fiori Pasta with Beef Short Rib Ragout at Marty's Market
Fiori pasta with beef short rib ragout, fresh Burrata cheese,
and gremolata at Marty's Market ($15)

I mentioned earlier about the food theater at Marty's Market.  Several weeks ago, my friend James whose Pgh Taco Truck will be opening shortly hosted the inaugural demo and tasting event at Marty's Market.  Here are some photos of the demo in action.

Marty's Market
Marty's Market's owner Regina Koetters explaining that the food theater is about
people cooking together

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
James of Pgh Taco Truck makes a salsa with mango,
pineapple, pickled red onion, and dehydrated jalapeno

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
James explaining the virtue of spicing the pork (to absorb
the juice) and not putting too much meat into the pan
all at once when cooking

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
Corn tortillas are doubled up and toasted on a crepe grill before serving

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
The audience gather around the food theater

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
Regina and James serve up some tacos

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
Pork taco with mango pineapple salsa

Pgh Taco Truck demo at Marty's Market
Veggie taco with crumbled portabello, diced zucchini, and salsa with tomato, corn,
black bean, lime juice, and green onion

As always, the tacos were fabulous.  Attending the demo has really given me the opportunity to understand and appreciate the amount of thought and detail that has gone into every seasoning, every cube of meat, and every bite of veggie that make these tacos great.  You can read more about the Pgh Taco Truck in my earlier post here.

Market Info:
Marty's Market
2301 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412)586-7177
On the web: http://www.martysmarket.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martys-Market-LLC/310946958958179
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartysMarketPGH


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Marty's Market, LLC on Urbanspoon



Truck info:
Pgh Taco Truck
(412) 841-9234
On the web: http://www.pghtacotruck.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pghtacotruck
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PghTacoTruck

Pgh Taco Truck on Urbanspoon