East End Market Open!

After waiting for what seemed an eternity, East End Market, Orlando’s first attempt at a neighborhood artisanal market, has finally opened. I’ve been excited about the idea of East End Market for a long time, and while I couldn’t make the grand opening yesterday, I came on day 2 to see the space, check out the goods, and support Orlando’s foodie scene.

I must start by saying I want to love East End Market. I want it to survive and thrive, becoming a foodie haven and cultural hotspot. I really like the merchants that have taken residence. Olde Hearth Bread Co. has needed a permanent retail location for quite some time and the additions of both a high end cheese shop and coffee roaster makes me very happy indeed.

Cute coffee bar, but no espresso.

It’s a start, even if it isn’t yet perfect. I’m assuming time will allow the market to evolve and grow. In my mind, a great food market is a place you can go and buy lovely artisanal ingredients you can either eat there or take home and prepare for dinner. The meats sold at Local Roots are frozen, there were no fresh meats or charcuterie that I could see. There was only one small case of fresh produce, and while Fatto in Casa (Italian for homemade) has lovely cookies, it sorely needs hand-made fresh pastas or at least imported Italian goods to take home.

The only fresh produce in sight.

There is ample seating outside and a few bar spaces for seating inside, but I’m going to give East End Market a couple of months before I go back. I’m excited about Txokos, the Spanish restaurant coming to the market and look forward to eating there once it opens. I’m hoping with a little time, the market will become what Orlando desperately needs, a foodie hub for local artisanal goods where I can browse, shop and eat to my heart’s content.