coffee

Wet your whistle at the Little Italy Mercato with a wide variety of refreshing beverages. Start with freshly squeezed citrus juice at Polito Farms, Schaner Farms, or Paradise Valley Ranch, try potent pomegranate juice from Lone Oak Ranch, or enjoy apple cider from Smit Orchards.

Pick up a pound of locally roasted organic beans from Cafe Virtuoso, grab a frothy cappuccino at Joe’s on the Nose, or take home loose leaves from the Tea Gallerie. Try iced tea and fruit juice concoctions from Thirsteas, creative combinations at Power Up Smoothie, or a classic Green Fix Organic Smoothie.

The over-21-set can even pick up locally grown, estate bottled Viognier, Merlot or Syrah from Triple B Ranches to bring home for dinner. What will you be sipping from the Little Italy Mercato on Saturday?

Pick up a bag of single origin Colombian coffee beans from Azahar Coffee at the Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market, or grab a hot cup on the spot from their pour-over coffee bar!

One sip will peak your curiosity about this locally based company that has developed personal relationships with growers throughout Columbia. They perform all the hulling and roasting of the beans in order to insure that each batch is handle with attention to the different flavor characteristics resulting from micro-climate and weather variations.

We think their efforts pay handsome rewards in each cup; enjoy this tasty brew on its own, or with a handmade miniature pie from Under the Crust, a Chocolate Delight cookie from Sunnyside Kitchen, or one of Moncai Vegan’s famous cinnamon rolls. Come find out what's bean going on at the market! 

From jewelry, crafts, and housewares, to coffee, tea, and chocolate, the Little Italy Mercato carrries quite an array of fair trade goods. But what is fair trade, and how can you support the people who grow, create, and sells these products?

Fair trade means more than giving a decent wage to the farmers and workers who produce products throughout the world. It's more about creating partnerships that reciprocate benefits and respect between producers and consumers. It represents an ethical system of exchange, empowering producers to create sustainable and positive change for their families, their communities, and their economy. 

So, while you're shopping at the market this weekend, take a moment to visit vendors like Seven Hopes United, who sell fair trade gifts and housewares. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea rom Cafe Virtuoso or Joe's On the Nose, knowing that the flavor you taste and the purchase you make goes far beyond the community of San Diego. 

Or maybe you're in the mood for some chocolate? Head on down towards Kettner to visit Eclispe Chocolate and take home some of their fine, artisan fair trade chocolate. Make dessert, or serve it to your friends at your next gathering, knowing that you're supporting a sustainable product. 

And keep shopping with all of our vendors, from locally grown vegetables and fruit  to naturally raised meats, homemade sauces and pastries. Your support sustains not only the growth and success of our market, but directly impacts the lives of our farmers and vendors. Thank you!

This Sunday is Mother's Day so come and take a stroll (bring your Mom!) from Kettner up to Union to find that perfect little something or pick up the trimmings for a special brunch. There are bunches of fragrant lilacs from JR Organics and pretty bouquets of oriental lilies from Dramm & Echter and truffles from Eclipse Chocolat, but that's really just the beginning. From trinkets to treasures, there's something for every Mom just to say, "thank you for being you"! Ceramics from The Wheel and fun jewelry from LilyGirl are just a few ideas. Make a giftbox of spices from Just Spice or a basket of baking supplies and jams from Sustainable Pantry and Really Good Jam. Desire Tablecloths has beautiful kitchen textiles that anyone would love.

If it’s brunch ingredients you’re scouting for Paradise Valley has fresh – we’re talking squeezed right before your eyes - orange juice. Pick up a dozen eggs from Descanso, ciabatta from Belen Bakery, Springhill’s organic sage cheddar and sausage from Son Rise Ranch and make Mom a savory strata. All you need is a bag of coffee beans from Café Virtuoso to complete the picture.

Mom spent years taking care of us - when we were sick, when we were hungry, when we just needed a hug - and though we know you should celebrate mom everyday, let the Little Italy Mercato make this day extra special.

MORNINGS AT THE MERCATO

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and just because you're in a rush to get to the the Little Italy Mercato, doesn't mean you have to skip it. Whether it's a spot of tea or a cuppa joe, Joes on the Nose and Cafe Virtuoso are there for your morning caffeine fix. Seb's Panini has delicious breakfast sandwiches and Fabrison's morning themed crepes can't be beat. There's Belen Bakery for scones and Loic for pastries to fulfill that morning time sweet tooth. Granola Girl and Scratch both have crunchy wholesome granola to take home; perfect when topped with a sprinkle of berries from Pudwill and your favorite yogurt. And don't forget the OJ from Polito Farms or Paradise Valley Ranch!

For Sunday morning, pick up a bag of gluten-free muffin mix from Sustainable Pantry and slather them with jam from Impeccable Taste hot out of the oven. Or stock up on fresh eggs from Schaner Farm or Descanso Ranch, asparagus from Suncoast Farms and Firehouse Jack cheese from Springhill Farms. Can you say frittata? Start your mornings off right with fresh, local ingredients and a trip down to the Mercato.

TRUCKLOADS OF FRESH FOOD AT THE LITTLE ITALY MERCATO

Until recently, mention of food trucks conjured up images of not very appealing, rewarmed sandwiches served to captive crowds outside remote office buildings and construction sites.  How things have changed!  The Dos Roti Chicken Truck offers all natural, hormone and antibiotic free chickens, slow roasted right before your eyes on the truck's built in rotisserie.  Add some mixed greens from Suzie's or JR Organics and you've got dinner.  Chef Deborah Scott's Chop Sooey is hard to miss due to its impressive size and colorful graphics, and it would be a shame to miss the delicious salad of locally grown greens and roasted beets with candied walnuts.  The chilaquiles have quickly become a breakfast favorite among shoppers, too. 

START THE DAY RIGHT

 Grab some fresh squeezed, right from the farm, unpasteurized orange juice from Paradise Valley Ranch; they make breakfast shopping easy by also bringing farm fresh eggs to the market.  Go whole hog and add a dide of naturally raised bacon from DaLe Ranch. A bowl of sliced fresh fruits is a great start to the day, and apples from Smit Orchard, pears from Lone Oak, or strawberries from Kawano farms fit the bill.  If you've got a sweet tooth in the morning, treat yourself to a pastry from Lisko Imports or spread some Really Good Jam on your toast.  There's no need to set out for work or school on an empty stomach with all the great choices at the Adams Avenue market!