Grocery Shopping in Capitol Hill - Knowing Your Options

Every week we spend time buying groceries; which for most of us, is an annoying chore.  You hope when moving into a new neighborhood you will find some place to shop that will have exactly what you need. Lucky for us in Capitol Hill, we have a wide variety options on where to buy our weekly groceries. After six weeks of living in the neighborhood, here is what I have found.

Fresh Daily - Eastern Market
Eastern Market is known for it's weekend leisure crowds.  People stroll vendor tables filled with jams, scarves, and everything in between.  But during the week, Eastern Market is a great option for buying groceries the day-of.

Eastern Market is open until 7pm during the week. There is hardly a soul in the place on a week night so it is very easy to shop. Besides grabbing fresh meat, fish, or veggies you can also grab pantry staples at the booth at the Southeast corner of the building. They stock tomato paste, cranberry sauce, rice...you
name it!  The small space is crammed but I was amazed at what they had available.


Fresh Weekly - Relay Foods
Relay Foods is where I buy the majority of our weekly groceries.  Relay is actually an online grocery store focusing on local and organic items.  I was a little nervous about trusting someone else to pick out my perfect cut of meat or just-ripe-enough produce; however, I have been amazed at the quality of my items from Relay.

Relay can either deliver your items or you can pick them up from one of their truck locations on Monday or Friday from 4pm-8pm.  There is a charge for delivery; however, pick up option is free.  If for someone reason you are not satisfied with a purchase from Relay, just go to the online chat section of their website.  A customer service person will refund your item in literally less than 5 minutes.

Stocking the Pantry - Harris Teeter
Buying local and fresh is great, but sometimes you need to stock up on Oreos, Cokes, and instant Mac & Cheese.  You know, all the things that really get us through when we are too lazy to actually cook.

The Harris Teeter located at Penn Ave SE and 14th is great for pantry stocking.  They have pretty much everything you would expect from a normal grocery store.  And, they have free garage parking.  So whether you have your own vehicle or a Zip Car membership, you can really stock up and only have to make the trip once every three months or so.

For the Gluten Free, Organic Junkies - Yes! Organic Market
While Yes! Organic Market is very, very small they have a great selection for you gluten free folks.  They are located on the north end of Barracks Row. Yes! Organic Market has a decent wine and beer section as well as some ready made sushi, sandwiches, etc. in the back.  I do love that they carry hot Hale & Hearty soups, one of my favorites from living in New York.  The store is a bit limited for me personally, but it would be a perfect solution for someone who is gluten free.

Eastern Market
225 7th Street SE
http://www.easternmarket-dc.org/

Relay Foods
http://www.relayfoods.com/

Harris Teeter
1350 Potomac Ave SE
http://www.harristeeter.com/

Yes! Organic Market
410 8th Street SE
http://www.yesorganicmarket.com

Happy Hilling!
S.

Dessert in Capitol Hill: The Sweet Lobby

I have to admit, I knew about this uber fabulous establishment, known as The Sweet Lobby, long before I was a Capitol Hill resident. 

The Sweet Lobby serves cupcakes, macaroons, and cupcakes with macaroons on top.  Simple, right? Simple and delicious!  

The macaroons are hands-down my favorite thing at The Sweet Lobby. The flavors are inventive, fun, and change on a regular basis.  The presentation is beautiful and they have great gift box options if you are looking for a unique hostess or work gift.  

I am not traditionally a cupcake lover; however, The Sweet Lobby's cupcakes really hit a home run with me. Why? Because they are not overly sweet or overly filling. I can actually eat an entire cupcake from The Sweet Lobby and not feel like I am on the verge of becoming diabetic.  The cupcakes come in a wide variety of flavors including vegan and gluten free options.  

The Sweet Lobby makes the perfect stop for an afternoon sweet fix or a unique dessert destination after dinner on Barracks Row.  

Personally, I would recommend the praline macaroon - it's divine. :-)

The Sweet Lobby
404 8th Street SE (between Penn Ave and E St)
http://sweetlobby.com/

Happy Hilling!
S.