A Funny Sort Of Food Court

In Madrid (and I'm sure other cities across Spain) there is more than one market that has been modernized and re-imagined as part market (in the case of Mercado de San Miguel very small part market), part food stalls, part gathering place. I suppose that's what the best markets have always been. But these are markets for modern times filled with high quality (and high price it seems) products and a variety of ready treats.

Today I wandered off to find Mercado de San Anton, a huge brute of a building with a wrapping so dull it barely hints at the delights inside.

The first floor offers ingredients: fruits, meats, seafood. Spain claims the hamburger as her own at this stand offering seasoned meat patties in a dizzying array of flavors (pizza burgers anyone?) ready to cook at home.

A bird I don't recognize awaits a frying pan or roasting oven.

The second floor is an array of stands with a variety of dishes to eat at the market or carry home. Vendors specialize in Japanese, Italian, Greek, Roasted Meats, Bacalao (salt cod), smoothies and juices, and tucked into the corner . . . duck, all specialties of duck from tiny hamburgers with fried eggs, duck prosciutto (or jamon here in Spain) to fois gras paté.

I settle down with a plate of duck drumettes and wonder why our food courts (and ugly buildings) at home can't be like this.