Weekend Find

Royal Market & Bakery
5335 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco

We woke up early yesterday and were out the door before most people were out of bed. Maybe it was the sunshine and the blue sky, but we were inspired to knock some errands off our list. We stopped for bagels and coffee then bought toothpaste and looked for new shoes.

We strolled by a medium sized market with bright yellow awnings. M. said we should go in, "I've never been in this one," he said. I followed, thinking, "do we have to go in every single grocery store we pass?"

But this one is special. It is a bright, shiny Russian market. The bakery counter is stacked with creamy pastel unidentified confections, the shelves are loaded with jars and boxes and cans with unreadable names. Russian rap plays loudly over the loudspeakers. We wandered up and down the aisles. There were huge bins of golden raisins, plump dates, and perfect walnuts for $5.99 a pound. M. picked out some deep purple plum butter and a huge container of Russian yogurt. we eyed the bottles and bottles of vodka.

For a moment, I felt like I was in Europe. The store wasn't busy yet but the people there were old Russians, busily doing their Sunday shopping before things got too crazy.

I feel like I've discovered a new secret source for pretty and unique things.