Monterey Market in Berkeley

To this gastronome, Monterey Market in Berkeley is the ultimate local independent market.  I wish there was a market like this in the Midwest.   Run by a Japanese-American family, the variety, freshness, and quality are unsurpassed. Granted, California does have quite a good climate for growing things—it's alive.  If one happens to be in Berkeley, one should definately check out Monterey Market.

On a trip to Berkeley last year, I spent hours observing the assortment of local bounty—in January. The day before, I had been at Big Sur and some of the local foragers were talking about how big the chanterelles were this season.  I was dumbfounded and giddy that they actually had fresh yuzu citrus.  The following pictures are some things that were in season at the time...

Wild Mushrooms

Citrus