I can't believe I ever left my neighborhood

Hidden gems on every corner, I tell ya! Well at least most.

At some point, and I suppose there is no time like the present, I need to acknowledge that the opinions expressed in this blog are that of the author only and she is not accountable for any misinterpretation on behalf of the reader. Should said reader choose to accept said authors word as truth...so BE IT! All readers be advised that nothing beats experiential learning and the author herein requests (challenges) the audience to patronize these establishments and share your experience (especially if you see something I missed, particularly chocolate trail mix). I hope all that mumbo jumbo sounded clever and official!

All that brings me to my current seat, in my room, at my desk, my dear tuxedo cat snoring faintly in the background, the chocolate from my peanut butter surprise beginning to kick in to my relatively decaffeinated system (I am sure to be up way later than I wanted!).

One thing I have yet to find within the Newbold boundaries is a good chocolate trail mix, oh how I craved that today! I made due with chocolate chips, peanut butter, almond butter and raisins (all from my kitchen) not the same but a sturdy replacement.

Today's adventures took me to Italia, actually Maroto's Grocery on 17th and Mifflin (I think??). Holy crapola, you can get a huge can of extra virgin olive oil for $17, it is a crime I keep buying my olive oil from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (love the guys but really?! olive oil runs in my veins and i go through it like water so every 2 weeks I am recycling a glass bottle, wasting gas to go get the new one, and wasting a good $2-3 of my money overspending!). I digress...Maroto's have been there for 90 year, no kidding! It smells of cured meats and old wood, good old fashioned Italian market. You might never know this place is open (quite possibly purposeful) but just pull on the door and your in! I got chick peas for hoummus, gulden's mustard (I have been obsessed with mustard on raw veggies and pretzels, and let's face it, right out of the jar - no I am not pregnant), club soda (love the BUBBLES in my throat, go ahead embrace the freak in you too!!), artichoke hearts (they have a jar the size of my head that you can buy!), and as an impulse purchase after I already paid I got a head of garlic for no other reason than "who doesn't need more garlic" (I blame my genes).

In addition to a great can goods selection they have a some local homemade Italian bread, a deli with meat and cheese and a refrigerated section with homemade pasta from Nino's. I was most thrilled that if I want to make a quick/easy clams and spaghetti they have my favorite brand (don't remember the name, it is in a yellow can) of clams and clam juice, they are also well stocked with a variety of progresso soup for a comparable price to any major grocery. I can't wait to charm the Italian outta these guys!($5.75 at Maroto's)

The quest ultimately today was to find ingredients for a vegan brunch I am cooking on Sunday. I settled on tofu scramble with sun dried tomatoes (had them at home but could get them at Maroto's) and broccoli, with a side of roasted sweet potatoes and a spinach salad with caramelized onions, artichokes and mushrooms.

Got the tofu, mushrooms and onions from Duy's on the corner of Morris and Chadwick Sts., a VERY tight squeeze in here. They are packed with lots of stuff and seem to have the most variety of cleaning products (all seen from the street lined up in their window). All in all not my most warm and fuzzy experience but my highlight was seeing my neighbor walk in as I walked out, I don't think she speaks much English because all we ever get through is "hello", "how are you" and smiles and nodes. Duy's does have a great selection of root veggies and general produce. When I venture into cooking up the noodles I bought last week I will be in their for soup stock, lemon grass and other critical ingredients. ($2.63 at Duy's)

Final stop for the day was Oscar's for the spinach, sweet potatoes, a couple pears and lemons. ($3.50 at Oscar's)

Tonight dinner was from Circles, on my friend Kate (thanks Kate!), the grilled calamari salad is fantastic and the Massaman Curry with Chicken was good too.

My entry would not be complete without acknowledging my stop at DeCarlo's vacuum and sewing machine repair shop (no yummies here). I had to get vacuum bags and I walked in greeted by two gentlemen, no major shenanigan's yet but wanted to note this resource...they sell things related to vacuums (including vacuums) and repair sewing machines. Very helpful!

Well, it is off to bed...FYI I will be cheating tomorrow as I will be attending the 2 year birthday part of Principesa Lucia Hayes Federici, my beloved niece in Germantown, thanks in advance for the forgiveness...Bonna Notte!