It's one of those weekend evenings in which I feel so fortunate to live in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. I just returned home from Uptown Metropolitan Market's "Renovation Celebration" and it was so much FUN and FREE except for the $5 wine-tasting area - a bargain to be sure! The last Celebration takes place TONIGHT from 4 to 8 p.m. I am telling you, grab your sustainable shopping bag and GO!

Thanks to Met Market and the amazing customer service this local grocer provides, the winter cocoon I've been hiding in is showing signs of opening up to the possibilities of Spring - purple hyacinth in the floral department for just $3.99! At the same time, I am appreciating the coziness of the present month of January, with its gray skies and drizzle and COMFORT FOOD! Like hearty, homemade Met Market potpies in a white ramekin!

If you’ve been by the Lower Queen Anne Metropolitan Market (100 Mercer St.) lately, you may have noticed they’ve made a few upgrades (including a wellness and nutrition center, expanded products, a recipe kiosk, and a gelato bar). And over the last few days the newly refurbished local market has been holding tastings for shoppers as they walk through the store as part of their month-long Renovation Celebration.

The market will be running fun, celebratory events through Tuesday, February 16. Check out their upcoming schedule of tastings, parties and book signings:

On Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. Met Market is hosting Guest Chef Row, where shoppers can “sip, sample and savor their way through the store”, tasting 25 different culinary creations. Details on the schedule for each night here.

Stacey McKelvey from Metropolitan Market discusses winter plants to brighten your home, garden, and life during the cloudy winter months.

But with the makeover of Uptown's Metropolitan Market, I just may have found a new favorite. I popped in this morning to get a sandwich for lunch and found myself wandering the aisles so long that I was dangerously close to being late for work. It is just beautiful, with loads of local vendors and a great new 'wellness' area devoted to herbal remedies, vitamins, and body care. And from January 20th through February 16th, there are loads of amazing events going on, including four nights where guest chefs like Tom Douglas and Armandino Batali will prepare culinary treats to sample.

As I checked out, I stuffed an entry slip into a box for a chance to win one of about 25 incredible gifts baskets, some of which included free coffee for a year, a catered Easter dinner, goodies from Macrina Bakery, and a night where a real CHEF comes to your HOUSE to make dinner. Wouldn't that be lover-ly?

For more information the events going on at the Uptown Metropolitan Market, located at 100 Mercer Street, click here.

Best Place to Buy A Gift For Any One, At Any Time

From the outside it looks like a chi-chi grocery store, and when you walk in, your impression might be that it is one.  In point of fact, Metropolitan Market is simply the best place to buy a present for any person on any occasion.  Whether you’ve forgotten a buddy’s birthday and buy him a high-quality 22-ounce beer, or whether your Great Aunt Tilly the chef would appreciate some silicone cooking implements, you’ll find something that fits every person — and walk out with a card to match.