In Worcester, not far from what I call "the airport mountain" is a little flower store called The Flower Cart. Now, I never buy flowers, so I have been driving by this little shop for years. But last night we pulled into the parking lot and went in. Why?? I saw a sign in their window saying "farmers market."
I was very intrigued, as The Flower Cart is a cute little storefront squished in between an insurance company and something else. How can it be a farmers market, I wondered.
When I went inside my question was answered. A flower shop like many others, but made different by the bins of fresh produce at the front. Just like a mini farmers market indeed! It turns out that the owners have their own gardens, and they added some other stuff (corn, I think) from another nearby farm.
What makes this noteworthy for me is that we recently lost our second car, and my husband often needs our car for work. That means getting to farmers' markets is even harder for me now, as they usually take place during the day. Some have later hours, but are too far away given our schedule. But now that I know about The Flower Cart, I know that when my husband brings home the car, I can zip over there (they're open till 5:30 pm) and get nice fresh local veggies! I am thrilled.
Here's the info you will need:
They are located at 1405 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603. Do you know where the Friendly's is on Route 9 as you're headed out toward Leicester? Well it's kiddy-corner from that. Their phone number is (508) 421-6631. You can even give them a call to see what they're selling ...something you can't do with a regular farmers' market. They are open 10 am to 5:30 pm on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They'll also be open Sundays later in the year.
According to their business card they also offer "Seasonal Flowers & Gifts - Gift Baskets & More" More, indeed! :-)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Veg Worcester Benefit by Buddha Hut - August 15
Here's some news I pulled directly from Veg Worcester's web site:
Buddha Hut Hosting Another All-you-can-eat Buffet Fundraiser: Saturday, August 15
Earlier this month, Buddha Hut held the first-ever buffet-fundraiser for VegWorcester. It was such a huge success that they are going to do it again in August. Sweet!
Mark your calendars: the next buffet will take place on Saturday, August 15 from noon – 7pm. It’s only $10 for the all-you-can-eat buffet and 10% of sales benefit VegWorcester programs. Awesome!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sweet Worcester - decadent desserts and designer cakes
Last night was date night for my husband & me. After a great casual outdoor meal at Junior's Pizza Grille on Shrewsbury Street, we set out on foot to find a nice shop for coffee and dessert. I had been hoping for a place with some "atmosphere" but my less-than-comfortable footwear ensured that we could not wander far. The only place within our walking range was called Sweet, and to be honest the exterior did not impress. I could see right through the large window into a brightly-lit shop that seemed devoid of decoration. But the sign said coffee and desserts / open late, so we went closer to peer in the window, and I'm glad we did.
The first thing that beckoned to us was a case full of cupcakes and small desserts. Coffee and coffee-machines were at the back. My favorite dessert is tiramisu, and I could see some there in the case, which clinched the deal for us. We went inside.
The walls are white, decorated only with one poster and a few polka dots. The lights were, in my opinion, a bit too bright. A rack held some free local magazines. My eyes scanned the room and stopped on a doorway leading to something in back. It didn't have a door, but instead had elegant-looking, top-to-bottom curtains pulled back with ties. I wondered--what could this be? I stuck my head through the curtain and could not believe my eyes. A room with atmosphere, dark and dreamy, with a bar and comfortable seating all around. It looked like a secret world in there. Very mysterious--but in a good way.
It was explained to us this way by the wonderfully courteous front counter person, Jennifer: the front room is quick and casual desserts, but the back room is "a dessert experience." There is a Prix Fix menu of special desserts for $9, some of which had familiar names like Bananas Foster and Creme Brulee. I was briefly tempted VERY strongly by the special coffees which includes my all-time favorite, the Nutty Irishman. But we had to pass on the dessert experience. We had spent enough money on dinner and a smaller dessert was what we needed. We decided to have a coffee each, and share one of the ample-sized tiramisus. The tiramisu was good, but the coffee was outstanding! I haven't had such a nice, smooth cup of coffee in a long, long time. To paraphrase the old commercial, this coffee was good to the last drop.
It got more interesting as I began to talk to Jennifer, who was turning out to be a good spokesperson for this establishment. No wordless blank stares or attitude from THIS barista! Jennifer cheerfully explained that the owner buys ingredients from local establishments. For example, the milk and cream comes from Cooper's Hilltop Farm in Rochdale, Mass. But what really impressed the socks off me was that the owner (Alina Eisenhauer) grows herbs and spices on the roof of her restaurant! I love that.
So we will definitely be going back. And on our next date night, we may just skimp on dinner so we can take a trip through those velvet curtains and partake of the dessert experience.
The first thing that beckoned to us was a case full of cupcakes and small desserts. Coffee and coffee-machines were at the back. My favorite dessert is tiramisu, and I could see some there in the case, which clinched the deal for us. We went inside.
The walls are white, decorated only with one poster and a few polka dots. The lights were, in my opinion, a bit too bright. A rack held some free local magazines. My eyes scanned the room and stopped on a doorway leading to something in back. It didn't have a door, but instead had elegant-looking, top-to-bottom curtains pulled back with ties. I wondered--what could this be? I stuck my head through the curtain and could not believe my eyes. A room with atmosphere, dark and dreamy, with a bar and comfortable seating all around. It looked like a secret world in there. Very mysterious--but in a good way.
It was explained to us this way by the wonderfully courteous front counter person, Jennifer: the front room is quick and casual desserts, but the back room is "a dessert experience." There is a Prix Fix menu of special desserts for $9, some of which had familiar names like Bananas Foster and Creme Brulee. I was briefly tempted VERY strongly by the special coffees which includes my all-time favorite, the Nutty Irishman. But we had to pass on the dessert experience. We had spent enough money on dinner and a smaller dessert was what we needed. We decided to have a coffee each, and share one of the ample-sized tiramisus. The tiramisu was good, but the coffee was outstanding! I haven't had such a nice, smooth cup of coffee in a long, long time. To paraphrase the old commercial, this coffee was good to the last drop.
It got more interesting as I began to talk to Jennifer, who was turning out to be a good spokesperson for this establishment. No wordless blank stares or attitude from THIS barista! Jennifer cheerfully explained that the owner buys ingredients from local establishments. For example, the milk and cream comes from Cooper's Hilltop Farm in Rochdale, Mass. But what really impressed the socks off me was that the owner (Alina Eisenhauer) grows herbs and spices on the roof of her restaurant! I love that.
So we will definitely be going back. And on our next date night, we may just skimp on dinner so we can take a trip through those velvet curtains and partake of the dessert experience.
Vegetarian Dining Guide - Worcester, Mass.
I went to a wonderful event at Elm Park (Worcester, Mass.) the other night. It was called Art in the Park and it was the official opening ceremony for the Art in the Park sculpture show, for lack of a better word. There was live music, food, booths from local organizations, a juggling magician, the whole bit. It was so well-attended it and there were so many smiles, it was a thrill to see!
But today's post is about something near and dear to my heart: healthy food and how hard it usually is to find at public events. But at the August 6 art event, I did something I have never been able to do at an outdoor festival: eat healthy. And by that I mean, no horrid high fructose corn syrup or trans fats or meat with carcinogens and hormones. For some reason most outdoor festivals and events present only this awful "food" and never an alternative. BUT last Thursday I was so happy to stop first at the Buddha Hut table and buy (for a mere $1 each) a few of their amazing "chicken drumsticks" which are not chicken but you would NEVER know it to taste it. Just delicious and golden, probably made with some kind of soy or protein that tastes for all the world like chicken, served with sweet & sour sauce for dipping. Yum!! I can't get enough of these things. Then a few tables later, I found myself face-to-face with a tray of espresso cupcakes made by Barely Legal Treats. It was a wonderful delicious cupcake, but there's more!
The table that had the cupcakes was actually the Veg Worcester table. I had never heard of Veg Worcester before, but I walked away from there with a flyer called the Vegetarian Dining Guide to Worcester, Mass. and it contains a listing of vegetarian restaurants, cafes & bakeries, grocery stores and community events which are either vegeterian, vegan or friendly to both. I suggest you get your hands on this extremely helpful and free guide right away, if you like vegetarian food! Not only that, VegWorcester's web site keeps you up to date on local vegetarian news and events, dining guide, helpful links, a blog and more. Why not bookmark it?
And thanks to both Buddha Hut and Barely Legal Treats (both of Worcester) for letting me eat healthy at this festive public event. Keep it coming!
But today's post is about something near and dear to my heart: healthy food and how hard it usually is to find at public events. But at the August 6 art event, I did something I have never been able to do at an outdoor festival: eat healthy. And by that I mean, no horrid high fructose corn syrup or trans fats or meat with carcinogens and hormones. For some reason most outdoor festivals and events present only this awful "food" and never an alternative. BUT last Thursday I was so happy to stop first at the Buddha Hut table and buy (for a mere $1 each) a few of their amazing "chicken drumsticks" which are not chicken but you would NEVER know it to taste it. Just delicious and golden, probably made with some kind of soy or protein that tastes for all the world like chicken, served with sweet & sour sauce for dipping. Yum!! I can't get enough of these things. Then a few tables later, I found myself face-to-face with a tray of espresso cupcakes made by Barely Legal Treats. It was a wonderful delicious cupcake, but there's more!
The table that had the cupcakes was actually the Veg Worcester table. I had never heard of Veg Worcester before, but I walked away from there with a flyer called the Vegetarian Dining Guide to Worcester, Mass. and it contains a listing of vegetarian restaurants, cafes & bakeries, grocery stores and community events which are either vegeterian, vegan or friendly to both. I suggest you get your hands on this extremely helpful and free guide right away, if you like vegetarian food! Not only that, VegWorcester's web site keeps you up to date on local vegetarian news and events, dining guide, helpful links, a blog and more. Why not bookmark it?
And thanks to both Buddha Hut and Barely Legal Treats (both of Worcester) for letting me eat healthy at this festive public event. Keep it coming!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Map of Farmers' Markets in Central Mass.
Did you know that the Telegram & Gazette online has a map of Central Massachusetts Farmers' Markets? Click HERE for the link. Also, if you should lose the link, they've got a link from the www.telegram.com home page too.
Also, earlier this summer they did an article about the popularity of farmers' markets, and a really helpful list of farmers markets accompanied it. I printed it out and it's become a valuable resource. Click HERE for that article and the list of markets.
Also, earlier this summer they did an article about the popularity of farmers' markets, and a really helpful list of farmers markets accompanied it. I printed it out and it's become a valuable resource. Click HERE for that article and the list of markets.
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