bistro brunch and marvelous market

Our last day began with brunch at a classy French bistro called Pastis. We were given the choice to be seated inside or outside, and opted for the more peaceful, more people-watching-friendly outside. (After all, we were right down the street from the Food Network office space, so you never know who might stroll by...)


Still stuffed to the brim from my glorious meal at Mesa Grill, I chose a lighter meal of granola with fresh berries and yogurt:


(thick yogurt, crunchy granola, and sweet, luscious berries)

Jamie got the croque madame:


(hearty bread, plenty of cheese, and a nice, runny egg)

Katie, cheese fan extraordinaire, ordered an omelet stuffed with herbs and lots of goat cheese:


(it came with crispy fries, too)

About 85% through our meal, the sky clouded over and the rain began. Fortunately, we came prepared...


...and were able to stay relatively dry until they could find a table for us inside.

After brunch, we headed down the street to the famous Chelsea Market. There are lots of bakeries (including the Fat Witch Bakery, which offered free brownie samples and is therefore awesome), as well as multiple shops and markets.

The Italian market (Buon Italia) is full of great stuff. They have many, many varieties of cheese, which means Katie was in heaven:


I was also in heaven, for they have pretty much every bean known to man...


...and chocolate. Lots o' chocolate:


They had oodles of fresh produce at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange--things like squasharinos...


...peppers...


...some questionable merchandise...


...and a few things I couldn't identify:


Anybody?

Update: Okay, one of my favorite Greeks, Peter of Kalofagas, tells me it's coconut. I'm slightly embarrassed. :)

There were no run-ins with any Iron Chefs, but it was still an incredible experience.