emporiyum D.C.

EmporiYum is a food-extravaganza and this past summer, it was in Baltimore and much to my sadness, I didn't make it (mind you cider was had and dinner at Woodberry Kitchen so it wasn't really a loss). But, when it was announced that Emporiyum was coming to D.C. I was in! So with my V.I.P. ticket in hand, and a partner in crime to explore I ventured off to Union Market and ate and drank and was joyful. 

The vendor line up includes tons of great D.C. foodies that I love: Toki Underground, Neopol Smokery, and Astro Doughnuts. But I really was excited by the out-of-towners and there were a lot of them. Charleston, S.C. natives Bittermilk and Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. showed what small-batch mixers can do for a cocktail. Between Bittermilk's Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour mixer and Jack Rudy's Small Batch Tonic, I knew my bag was about to get a bit heavier and my wallet a little lighter. 

Woodberry Kitchen came down from Baltimore with lechon tacos in tow and this gluten-free girl did a little dance of joy (well, as much of a dance as is possible with a lot of people around). That dance of joy continued all the way to Brooklyn Slate. Funny story there, I love me some Brooklyn Slate, not shocking based on my love of cheese boards. Once upon a time on a trip to NYC, I acquired a couple as Christmas gifts on a trip to Brooklyn Flea. Nothing sounds bad about that, right? Wrong. It was at the start of the day and apparently I was going to schlep those slate boards (and a cake stand) all over the city for the rest of the day, which included shoving them into a locker to not have to balance them on my back while ice skating. It was really nice to be able to make a purchase and then put it straight into my car. It's the little victories. 

Of course, I had to end with my favorites, D.C.'s own Typecase Industries. If you are looking for fun letterpress cards, prints, and coaster...Emily, Alessandra and Stephanie are your girls. They regularly take all my money with their amazingly hysterical cards and their D.C. centric prints and coasters. Also, if you need a koozie reminding you that you're a "Grown Ass Woman"...they can help you out. They're good like that. 

Just because, why not end the day with Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.