Nearby: Tendercrop Farms

Like many wonderful things on the North Shore, Tendercrop Farms was a complete surprise. A missed turn in Newbury led me straight down High Road to the bustling Tendercrop,  a place as busy as it could be on a late Sunday morning and a cloudless sky.  Children laughed as they said their hellos to the farm animals; gardeners sighed when they saw the beautiful collection of plants and flowers on sale; and I smiled widely as soon as I beheld the great bounty of food waiting for me inside (naturally, the dried flowers hanging from the rafters were a perfect added touch). Tendercrop Farms sells much of its own produce and meat and I was sure to take home a healthy helping of each. The taste of the sausage alone would be enough to bring me back. I often struggle with the ethics of being a carnivore, but this sausage may have been the best I've ever had. What a difference! In addition to sausage, they offer their own chicken, turkey, and steak, along with the normal assortment of produce offerings: strawberries, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, garlic, herbs, carrots-and the list trails on. It's a special spot, and one that I wish were so much closer to Boston. It's about an hour's drive, but one that's well worth the journey. 

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

The Somerville Winter's Market is located in the Armory Building on Highland Ave, which is a pleasant, ten minute walk from Davis Square. My mother was the first to mention its existence to me (practically the first or second week I moved to the area), but I always postponed the visit. However, winter's departure heightened the necessity to see it, so I walked there last Saturday, encouraged by my fellow pedestrians who strode in the same direction. The Armory itself is an imposing building, like a castle and colored in the hue of winter, but strangely out of place. When I entered, I heard the sound of a pianist playing from inside the cafe and a moment later, saw several chickens on display captivating a small audience. Advancing a few steps forward, I was in the main section of the building, filled with vendors selling every kind of food imaginable (perhaps a stretch). Another band played upbeat tunes and the place was appropriately crowded. The market has everything one would expect to see and a bit more as well-like Q's Nuts from down the street. Sadly yet inevitably, the market is coming to an end with its final heyday next week. But I was encouraged by the strong community feel and will most certainly visit often next winter! 

Nearby: Macaron Sweeterie

On the way home from my Concord outing, I stopped in Lexington for the sole purpose of visiting this place: Macaron Sweeterie. Over the past two years, I have developed an unhealthy, overly indulgent attachment to these delightful french pastries.  I shamelessly make weekly purchases of these little nuggets of joy at the Thinking Cup cafe downtown, my go to cafe during the week. But I wanted to come here, a place that is distinctly devoted to the macaron. And of course, they didn't disappoint. I picked a medley of them-from lemon (my favorite) to salted caramel to honey lavender to a mint chocolate. All were delicious. Eating macarons is an expensive habit-one alone can cost around 3 dollars, depending on where you purchase them. But they are just oh so good! And I'm afraid I don't have the patience to perfect their creation at home-my mother and I tried in earnest last year to make them-after two rounds, we grew a bit tired of the effort. Luckily, I am not the only one in this area with a macaron obsession. But for my wallet's sake, I should probably give them another shot in the kitchen. 

Wilson Farm

Wilson Farm, located in nearby Lexington,  is a food lover's paradise. The moment I walked into their store I nearly gasped with delight. This is how a farm's bounties should be displayed: in simple order with thoughtful packaging, surrounded by fresh cut flowers and the glories of the nursery. A rustic barn complete with exposed wooden beams doesn't help either. I found myself connecting to the food as if it came from my own non-existent garden, as if I had only just plucked the lettuce from the backyard and took some basil from the pot by the window. I do love grocery stores, yet I always suffer from a sense of alienation towards the food I see and buy. The same questions that we've all asked ourselves over the past decade never seem to leave my mind: where did this come from, is it organic, is it safe? 

But here, there was no such barrier. I communed with the food and left delighted with all my purchases. Despite the snow that falls today, spring suddenly felt nearer. I left reminded that food ought to be respected and appreciated-not only when we eat a delicious meal out, but when we dine in, with the groceries we have brought into our homes. Leave it to a farm that has been in operation since 1884 to remind us. 

Formaggio Kitchen

Yesterday morning I braved the winter cold and drove to Formaggio Kitchen, an institution in Cambridge and a foodie's paradise. In my research to find the area's best grocer and specialty food store, Formaggio Kitchen's name came up again and again. It was only a matter of time before I visited it myself. I am not much of a cook myself, but I have embraced the food movements of the past ten years as much as anyone (one of my favorite articles on the subject: "How Food Replaced Art as High Culture"). Moreover, I love nothing more than smart packaging. So it was a real treat to visit Formaggio Kitchen and take notice of its wonderfully curated selection of items. The tea in the last picture, for example, is made by a company I have followed since their beginning, but never had the opportunity to try (they are based in New York). I cannot tell you how delightful it was to stumble upon their goods and have the chance to purchase them. In addition to my Bellocq tea, I left with a beer vinegar from Italy, a pair of raspberry french macaroons, hot chocolate from France and honey from Napa Valley. All in all a good start! They are first and foremost a cheese store, but I was too in awe of their specialty goods to give my full attention to their artisan cheese. A reason to quickly return...

Formaggio Kitchen also offers a number of classes and serves as a true community center. A sampling of their classes includes:

-The Science of Cheese

-Beer and Cheese 101

-Hands-on Pasta Workshop

-The Art + Science of Salami 

-Brave the Caves: An Underground Cheese Lesson 

-Feeling Sheepish: Brebis, Pecorino, and Beyond

I should mention that most of their classes for the next two months area already sold out...

For those who do not live in the area, they have a full shop online where you can purchase any of their items as well as baskets and gift certificates. You can even purchase a Mac and Cheese Bundle, which includes Cabot Clothbound Cheddar cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano and Marcel Petite Comte (and pasta too!). 

Sounds perfect for a cold winter's evening....!