For years I have been wanting to go back to the Reading Terminal Market. I kept remembering a place that had a veggie sandwich with “carrot tuna,” basically a carrot salad in a pita. Sounds simple, but it was delicious and over the last 6 years I was never able to recreate it in my own kitchen. The Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar was still there, and the carrot tuna as good as I had remembered! The trick with it is the texture. We bought several scoops to take home so that perhaps we could decode the ingredients to make our own. I’ll let you know how it goes.

As we walked through the market we began the first of a series of comparisons between NYC and Philly. The Reading Market just seemed so much more “old-fashioned” than the Chelsea Market, which actually feels more like a theme park, if only in comparison. The vendors at Reading are in booth-like set ups in an open space, and their signage is more than retro in many cases. Check out the vibe:

As it turns out, my observations about the two markets have some basis in historical fact. The Reading Terminal Market is actually a historic indoor market established in 1892, while the Chelsea Market is circa 1990, though located in a rehabbed industrial space that was a biscuit and baking company, also built in the 1890′s. The Reading Terminal Market is run by a nonprofit 501c3 established by the Philadelphia City Council, while the Chelsea Market is a commercial enterprise. I do love the Chelsea Market (esp. The Green Table), but there is a special charm to the Reading Market. It feels particularly genuine to me.

While we were there we also picked up some apple quince spread and some lemon honey, both to be enjoyed with good cheeses. Last night we spread the lemon honey on some nice Manchego we bought at the market too and it was simple but GOOD.  

We also treated ourselves to one of my favorite desserts with the Old City coffee: dark chocolate covered pretzels!