Explore: Boston Public Market

I have been wanting to visit the Boston Public Market since before it even opened. I followed every stage of the process - the proposal to the city, the approvals, the build and the grand opening - yet I never made it! To force myself to get down there, I made a visit to the Boston Public Market one of my 2017 New Year's resolutions. 

Last week I took my maiden voyage with a friend who had also been dying to go. She'll soon be leaving Boston for New York City, and the Market was on her Boston bucket list. 

We arrived to what we thought was the entrance, but was actually the door to the kitchen / classroom. 

The front door is on the other end of the block, facing Faneuil Hall. 

When we walked in, the first stall to left was Red Apple Farm from Phillipston, MA. It reminded me so much of Atkins Farms Country Market in Amherst, MA. 

They were selling apple butter, apple cider and something called fire cider. 

The poster had a very Pirates of the Caribbean vibe to it.

I had to resist pressing my face to the glass when a saw the bowl of apple cider donuts sitting on a beach of sugar crystals. 

Across the way, it finally felt like summer with this display of bright green plants and herbs.

I was so excited to see Somerville's Taza Chocolate. I went on their factory tour and absolutely loved it. 

In addition to all the traditional chocolates, at this Market location they make hot and ice chocolate drinks, as well as Market snacks - churros and empanadas - both of which are portable and ideal for noshing while walking around. 

Across from Taza is Mother Juice, who I know from Kendall Square in Cambridge. Tons of girls in yoga pants and leggings were coming out of the Market with Mother Juice smoothies. 

I flipped for the chalkboard art at Jasper Hill Farm. 

When we strolled up to Massachusetts Farm Winery and Growers, it took my friend about ten seconds to notice they carry wine from Truro Vineyard (my favorite!). My mood was instantly boosted. 

They even carry the lighthouse-shaped bottles, which make for such beautiful gifts. 

While walking among the racks of wine, we noticed a sign promoting a $10 dollar wine tasting. For just $10 bucks, you can sample five Massachusetts wines and you get to keep the glass. We sat right down. 

The first wine we tasted was a sauvignon blanc from Mill River Valley and I loved it! Next we sampled the Truro Vineyards merlot, followed by 1620 Winery's rosé. I was hoping to enjoy the rosé and maybe even buy a bottle, but sadly, it wasn't for me. 

While sipping wine we had a great view of Appleton Farms. The team behind the counter was answering numerous questions about styles of cheese. 

After sampling all five wines, we wandered over to Stillman's produce. It's so cool to see all those farm fresh fruits and veggies in the heart of the city. 

They are gearing up for some sort of tomato growing contest. 

Along the back wall of the Market was Finesse Pastries, with a bakery case bursting with bright colors. 

I am a sucker for fresh pasta and the options in the case at Nella Pasta were super enticing. 

At the end of the final row of stalls is Stow Greenhouses from Stow, MA. I never realized the Market also carried fresh flowers. 

Across from the freshly cut blooms is Peterman's Boards and Bowls. As I walked toward the display I felt myself flip into hostess / entertaining mode. 

It took immense self restraint not to purchase bowls, trays and serving utensils. 

After wandering up and down all the aisles, we were ready to have some dinner. We had surveyed all the options and decided on Inna's Kitchen, which is owned by the mother of one of my middle school and high school classmates. 

Inna's Kitchen prepares classic Jewish cuisine. They carry multiple flavors of challah, including chocolate chip! That is the absolute best bread to make French toast. 

We stood in front of the chalkboard menu, struggling to decide what to order. Everything looked delicious. We eventually decided to share two knishes and then each order an entree. 

We ordered one potato knish and one spinach and feta knish. The pastry was so flaky and buttery. I was in heaven! 

The potato filling was my favorite. The spinach was a bit too salty. 

My friend decided on the chicken shawarma pita. 

Half way through the sandwich she said, "This is incredible. There is a ton of chicken and beneath that is lettuce, tomato, pickles, pickled onion, pickled cabbage and then it's all topped with tahini. My only regret is that I didn't get it on the plate so I could have composed each bite myself." 

I selected a dish called shakalatkes, which is a mash up of shakshuka and potato latkes. You can't help but want to shout, "Boom shakalaka!" 

The dish is two potato latkes, topped with fried eggs, covered in shakshuka sauce and topped with a generous layer of feta cheese. There is also a dollop of sour cream, which is what I always spread on my latkes. 

This dish was packed with bold, Middle Eastern spices and flavors. The eggs were cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that the potato latkes got a little mushy under the weight of the feta, sauce and eggs. 

We quickly made our food disappear. We tossed our plates in the trash and headed straight for Crescent Ridge. The ice cream place from Sharon, MA is known for exceptionally creamy flavors. 

My friend ordered the Moose Tracks, which is a blend of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, swirled with peanut butter cups. I snuck a bite and holy cow was it good! 

I went with the salted caramel pretzel, which was vanilla ice cream, ribbons of caramel sauce and chocolate-covered pretzels. This was an amazing mix of salty (from the caramel and the pretzels) and sweet (from the vanilla ice cream). 

I could eat Crescent Ridge every single night. This is what real ice cream should taste like. 

At this point we were completely stuffed, but we couldn't leave without taking a few photos in the American Gothic cut out. 

I absolutely loved the Boston Public Market. It felt great to support so many local growers and businesses. I only wished I lived closer or walked by as part of my daily commute. If I did, I would be a regular! 

Tell me, have you been to the Boston Public Market? Is there a stall you always visit?