Michael’s Market Meet-Ups
Looking for a personal shopper? It doesn’t get any better than renowned restaurateur Michael McCarty. He was a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement long before it became an overused catchphrase, and the bon vivant is still doing his thing all these years later. (He opened Michael’s in Santa Monica back in 1979, which remains one of the most acclaimed restaurants not only in LA, but in the country.) Now, once a month you have a chance to shop, taste and swirl with McCarty during his monthly Michael’s Market Meet-Up.
Straight-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls--are you kidding me?!
Once a month at 8:30 am, guests gather at his Santa Monica restaurant to indulge in cappuccinos, tea and house-made cinnamon rolls (“Make sure to eat ’em with butter!” he says) before walking a block over to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. There, McCarty will walk you through the freshest produce of the season, as well as offer his own tips and tricks for navigating the market and selecting the best ingredients. When I went in March, it was all about sunchokes (the last of the season) and blood oranges (the first of spring). This month it’s all about jumbo green asparagus.
Very berry good
Because he’s been such a huge part in dining culture for so long, McCarty can go on and on with more information that you can possibly retain. But that’s what makes this such a fun experience. You get intel on who’s selling the freshest English peas* while enjoying the rich sense of history and community and passion (and cray cray energy!) that McCarty imparts.
Preaching to the choir
After weaving through the market, sampling more than a few fruits and veggies, and realizing just how popular this guy is (FYI, even though he’s a total rock star ’round these parts, he does not get any special discounts–he believes when you support local farmers, you support everyone), it’s time to head back to the restaurant’s patio to enjoy a gorgeous spread featuring specially created dishes using the ingredients du jour. Did I mention the wine pairings?
And who shall I make this out to?
The menu for this month included pickled pencil asparagus with chives, shaved asparagus salad with pickled ginger, asparagus soup with toasted pistachios, seared halibut with asparagus ravioli, Zuckerman Farm jumbo green asparagus and Dutch white asparagus with grilled asparagus beurre blanc. And, of course, a signed copy of his latest book!
Some things I learned on my trip:
* Coleman does great exotic greens
* Weiser grows awesome potatoes
* Carlsbad is where to get fantastic snap peas and blood oranges
* Michael was chairman of the Santa Monica Arts Foundation and helped bring in those topiary dinosaurs you see at the Promenade
* Marianne (sp?) is the heirloom tomato lady–her stand is at the far end of 2nd Street
* When you want good old-fashioned beefsteak tomatoes and sweet onions go to Beylik
* Windrose Farms is where you can find some of the best apples
Select Wednesdays @ Michael’s, 1147 Third Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Tickets $60, 8:30am-11:30am.
More info: www.michaelssantamonica.com
Lifestyle writer Mar Yvette is on a mission to bring you the best people, places, and products to make your life pop!