ferry building marketplace

the ferry building market place is one of THE best places to visit while in san francisco. it is the land of all things yummy and natural . although i did not get the chance to drop by on my recent visit to the city, i have been many times in the past. i've posted a few of my favorite vendors for you below. the best thing of all...the samples. it's monday again. enjoy! amanda

The Marketplace is the only place in the Bay Area -- other than Acme's original Berkeley location -- that carries the full selection of Acme's nationally acclaimed artisan breads. Steve Sullivan, owner and co-founder, says that after all these years Acme’s foremost goal remains the same -- to bake outstanding bread.

Stonehouse California Olive Oil is located in a Nave Shop where it sells its signature, certified extra virgin olive oils in both bottles and in bulk. The company is best known for its citrus oils, produced by crushing fruit along with olives, thereby flavoring the olive oil.

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker is a mecca at the Marketplace for chocolate lovers. The shop carries the full line of Scharffen Berger and Dagoba (its sister company) chocolate, cocoa powder, nibs, and baking products. One special feature of the Ferry Building store is the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker's Series - a special series of limited edition single origin chocolate bars available nowhere else.

Cowgirl Creamery Artisan Cheese is a full-service, European style cheese shop offering Cowgirl Creamery’s own cheeses and artisan farmstead cheese from some of the most distinguished cheesemakers in America and Europe. These include Jean d'Alos in France, Neal’s Yard's English Farmhouse cheese, and artisanal producers such as Jasper Hill in Vermont and Sally Jackson in Washington State.

Culinaire is a unique antique shop specializing in the culture of food and wine --- from tools for planting and harvesting to the exquisite silver and crystal for the dining table.

Ciao Bella is a classic Italian gelateria. The beautiful shop, complete with Italian stainless steel displays, tempts visitors with 36 flavors of gelato and sorbet every day.

Heath Ceramics, one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries, has been making tableware and tile for over a half-century in its Sausalito, California factory. In 2003, husband and wife team, Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey purchased Heath Ceramics with a mission to revitalize the company, by placing a strong emphasis on design, handcrafted techniques, and the re-invigoration of the company’s designer-maker legacy.

Esther Pottery was created by landscape designer Steve Siegrist and his wife, sculptor Renée Lotenero. Both avid collectors of rare cacti and succulents, the couple have always been searching for the "perfect pot" that they could use for their ever expanding plant collection. Unable to find exactly what they were looking for, Steve and Renee began creating their own pots along with the help of their 12 year old son Ethan. Soon, friends and fellow plant collectors began requesting pots and before long, a family business was born. (Named Esther, as a phonetic blend of all their names, Ethan, Steve and Renee.) Each pot is unique and created by hand in their Los Angeles studio using high-fire clay and glazes.

The pots come in a variety of one of a kind shapes and sizes, and are also available as bowls. Bowls are fully glazed inside and come with or without a drainage hole.