Queens County Market

Really unexciting Holiday Market on the last day in 2014 @ Singlecut (not exactly convenient, either). Less than 10 stands and nothing unique, gives a bad name to the Queens attempt.

Best brownie of my life. I wish I could say the vendor… but it was a cookie batter brownie with a hint of almond… amazing.

I love this «pop-​up» gem!!! Katrina has such wonderful vendors there. It is a real treat. I love getting to experience new delicious foods. This event abounds with exciting wonderful choices to sample. I always have a great time. My husband has different tastes in many things and we both have a blast! Check it out. It’s great fun and yum!!!

This borough is so full of amazing food and amazing food entrepreneurs that something like Queens County Market was absolutely necessary to showcase them.
Queens County Market is still growing, and is so far just a «pop-​up» market featuring a handful of vendors. It’s much more of a low-​key affair than, say, Smorgasburg (
) (fewer than 10 vendors vs. 100+!). Similar idea, though.
QCM’s most recent appearance (today) was in Astoria, at Singlecut Beersmiths’ brewery (
). Singlecut’s space is great, but that’s for another review. It was definitely a happy partnership, though — people were free to explore the food stands and then consume all the goodies they bought while sampling Singlecut’s brews, with fresh air and sunlight beaming into the open space. Partway through the afternoon, there were already a bunch of items sold out (simultaneous smiley face and frowny face)!
Best new discoveries:
— the alfajores (Peruvian dulce de leche cookies) from Jessy’s Pastries
— the beautiful bundt cakes from New Amsterdam Baking Co
— Spicy Sesame Sauce from Peartree Pantry
— excellent live blues from the Sam Taylor Trio floating above our heads — literally, because Singlecut’s music stage is a loft
I love hearing food entrepreneurs’ stories… Today was not only New Amsterdam Baking Co’s first time at a market, it was their very first day of business! The batch of cakes they were offering was the first batch they made in their newly rented kitchen space!
Thanks to Queens County Market for exposing us to these local businesses. I have a tendency to frame these things in terms of a «mission,» but in the end… it’s another great way to find great new eats. :)

In my effort to explore all things locally made I decided to come to this place to sample the fares of the Queens county market. The building and it’s interior were plain but clean. Once inside you go down a small hall and there in front of me stood a veritable ring of delicious goodness. Lot’s of vendors who had sweets, be it chocolate or baked goods as well as some food and condiment vendors. It was nicely laid out and since I had arrived at 12 it was easy to navigate. I did notice a small area to sit and eat, but I am a professional and eating while browsing is my game.
Some of my favorites were:
H.S Chocolate Co. They had Maple bacon Chocomels. …You had me at bacon.
Mel’s Melting Pot. They offered a spicy fruit ketchup that was more like a relish but good none the less. It was also available sweet.
Chulita’s famous. They had two great products, the Sofrito Verde and the Sofrito con Spices. Both unbelievably fragrant and fresh. These two would be good slathered on anything!
Spicy ‘n Sweet. They had two sauces Nonna’s sweet and Nonna’s spicy sauce. They were both made from scratch using fresh ingredients and it showed. They also had Nonna’s red pesto which had a great kick to it.
Sabba’s Spicery. They had a bunch of different flavored spices that were all fresh and pungent. The by the sea blend was my favorite.
Charlito’s Cocina. They offered amazing sausages. From the Fig Salami to the home made chorizo and then the star of the show. The Trufa Seca, which was the highlight of the entire market was and I quote from their website directly,
«This deliciously sensual incarnation of cured goodness will surely arouse your senses. Seasoned with black truffles and mineral rich sea salt, this is a striking example of how a few excellent ingredients can produce a world unto itself of complexity. Made with pasture raised, heritage breed pork, this will surely make an impact.» It was that and more.
The Unilocal table was cool too. Manned by none other than Unilocal super hero Jando we got to chat a bit and I scored some Unilocal swag too!
I thought it was a good event and they offered a nice mix of vendors. Me being the greedy foodie that I am, wish’s there were more vendors. I hope they have this event again. I will be sure to come.