No Grocery Store, Day 57; Chevyveggie Tour; Pearl Farmer’s Market

Combination post this morning, because I’m behind on life and need to catch up before the crazy week begins for real.

Yesterday I was fortunate to be one of the food bloggers hosted by Chevrolet to try out some of their cars, on a field trip to the Pearl Farmer’s Market at the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio.    This was right up my ally, since I needed to buy groceries and was looking forward to some different options.

It started at Capitol Chevrolet, where we were introduced to many of the cool features of some of the cars.  We all then split up into groups and chose from the keys of a Malibu, the coveted Camaro, and Equinox, and a Silverado.  My friend Christian http://www.austinfoodjournal.com and I got into the Equinox first.  We were encouraged to use the OnStar Feature, and one of the other bloggers made a video of her Onstar experience.

We then stopped at Chuck Nash Auto Group for more information on cars including the 2010 Chevy Traverse.  All of these cars seem to have made strides in fuel economy and included special features such as seat warming, and extra roominess features.

Off we launched to San Antonio until we all arrived at the Pearl Farmer’s Market, at the Pearl Brewery.  What a cool re-purposing of an old space.  There were upscale shops in the building, restaurants, and the farmer’s market out back.

Walking up to the Pearl Brewery

I was excited to see CKC Cheese, and meet Cissy Omo at this market.  I’ve had some of  wonderful goat cheeses, at tastings, and some are available at Antonelli’s Cheese.  Read the amazing story of this college student, passionate about goat cheese, and try some of their amazing goat cheese soon.  http://www.ckcfarms.com.

CKC Farms Marinated Feta

I picked up several of her cheeses, some Thunderheart Bison tenderloin (because their local beef guy was sold out of almost everything) and some Thunderheart jerky, to solve my portable lunch problem for now.  We can get Thunderheart here of course.

The market had some prepared food vendors for jellys, sauces, bread products, and beautiful soap as well as several produce vendors.

Gorgeous soap

Farm Raised Tilapia

I also purchased some Aquaponic, farm raised local Tilapia, which is raised without antibiotics.  I don’t normally eat Tilapia, but by sustainable eating expert friend Kristi from http://www.austinfarmtotable.com was good with it, so I got some too.

Next was lunch at one of the restaurants that sources locally, Farm to Table.  This cafe was located on site at the Farmer’s Market.

Farm to Table Cafe

Here is my chicken panini, and I did eat most of it.

I used my hands to hold the sandwich.  Others took a more direct approach.

All in all, it was a great day, and a wonderful event.  Thanks to our sponsor Chevrolet.  We got to drive the Camaro last, and due to a bit of a traffic jam, had to be patient to really have fun with it.  But have fun we did!

Friends

More friends

My dinner was several tastings from the Stubb’s  Bad to the Bone Chef Smackdown.   Achiote Glazed Salmon with Smoked Bacon Grits, Goat Cheese Crema & Tangerine-Spinach Salad from Chef David Bull; Annato Crusted Pork Loin with Goat’s Milk Corn Pudding, and Achiote Seared Tangerine, from Chef Paul Peterson; and Goat milk sorbet, achiote & tangerine fritter, tangerine salad, and local orange blossom honey from Chef Shawn Cirkiel.