If you haven’t made the rounds of Bay Area food halls lately, you’re in for a treat. There are new eateries, new cocktails and, at some, summertime music and activities. Here are five of our favorites:
Market & Main, Martinez
Inside the brick walls of this downtown hall you’ll find a small but well-rounded selection of purveyors: East Bay Artisan, featuring bread, sandwiches and pasta; Craft & Fire, a taproom with artisanal pizza; Mamounia Moroccan Cafe; the Shuck It! oyster bar; TL Custom Cakes; plus fresh produce. Coming soon is a new stand, Banh Mi & Rolls.
Details: 610 Market St., Martinez; www.marketandmainmartinez.com
Castro Valley Marketplace
They’ve got the butcher (Barons), the baker (Seven Hills) and the sushi maker (Akemi), along with Oculto, the Cannery Kitchen & Tap, Castro Valley Natural Grocery, Cordial Cellar & Lounge and Night Owl. Niche specialists include Amphora Nueva Olive Oil Works and the Oaktown Spice Shop. Check the website for a schedule of live music and other events this summer.
Details: 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley; www.castrovalleymarketplace.com
San Pedro Square Market, San Jose
A tequila bar, the Alma Tequileria, has joined Hyland Sushi, Jora Peruvian, Urban Momo, Loteria, Pasta Fresca, Hella Good Burger, Three Sisters and the rest of the food/drink gang at this always-evolving downtown marketplace. This summer, the market will present live music five nights a week, Wednesday-Sunday, on the expansive courtyard, and Kavaia Tea will pop up on Saturdays.
Details: 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose; www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com
State Street Market, Los Altos
This Peninsula food hall has been filling out nicely since its opening in September with four eateries (Ostro, Murdoch’s, Banks & Braes, Grains & Greens). Celeb chef Traci Des Jardin’s El Alto made its debut across the courtyard, and Little Blue Door, Bao Bei and Tin Pot Creamery have joined the array in the main building. There’s a farmers market on Thursday afternoons and a schedule of in-house cooking classes.
Details: 170 State St., Los Altos; www.statestreetmarket.com
Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco
Four food purveyors are among the newest tenants at this sprawling market hall on the city’s waterfront: A craft pudding bakery, Yes Pudding; a caviar specialist, Tsar Nicolai; the Grande Creperie spinoff from Le Marais; and Obour Foods, a maker of artisanal hummus and tahini. Summertime, naturally, is a great time to visit the legendary farmers market here. It’s held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Details: One Ferry Building, San Francisco; www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
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