If someone is dreaming of escaping their daily routine, I can only hope that New Orleans is at the very top of their list. This city is alive. Without a shadow of a doubt, every single day you can discover something new. As you walk through the streets of the Big Easy, it’s not difficult to realize that opportunities to get lost in soulful jazz, delectable food dishes, and deeply rich history surround you. It’s panoramic. But, what if I told you there was one place in particular that represents all three of those? The Pythian Market encompasses the creativity, vivaciousness, and charm of this outstanding city.
The Pythian building itself is rooted in history, as it dates back to 1908, when it served as an integral part of the the Civil Rights movement. This led to the building becoming a center of the African American community. Having gone through many changes since then, the building is now shared by office spaces, apartments, and of course, the marketplace. The Pythian Market offers 13 vendors at a time, but that’s certainly not where the excitement ends. Kicking the week off with trivia and yoga Mondays, leading all the way up to crawfish boil Sundays, the Pythian Market continuously proves itself to be extremely versatile. However, what really caught my attention was the jazz brunch Saturdays. Harking back to the days when there was live jazz music on the rooftop in the 1900’s, the Pythian Market now hosts artists that do not cease to amaze their customers. This past weekend, the Zakk Garner Trio shared their bumpin’ medleys with the combination of the trumpet, drums, and cello.
Nothing nourishes the soul like a pairing of Frencheeze fried mac n cheese ballz alongside their classic sliders.
The moment I saw Jamaican flags hung up, my heart swooned at the thought of fried plantains. 14 Parishes surpassed my expectations.
And when I say the pimento cheese tater tots from Dirty South Sammich Co were exceptional, I mean they were exceptional.
I wish I could have eaten more; I would have stayed in there for days if I could have. The variety of choices enables customers to have the freedom of choice and reach maximum satisfaction. Frencheeze focuses on sandwiches and breakfast, with an emphasis on cheese. Carribean food is represented in 14 Parishes, as well as vegetarian options. Dirty South Sammich Co specializes in sandwiches both savory and sweet. La Cocinita fills the need for Latin American dishes stemming from Venezuelan roots. Fete Au Fete capitalizes on the necessity for creole and cajun comfort foods. Eatwell provides fantastic Vietnamese options, including gluten-free choices. Kais has the poke bowl and seafood arena covered. Little Fig contributes Middle Eastern dishes delicately made to perfection. Squeeze adds to the healthier side of things, with vegan options, salads, and cold pressed juices. Meribo Pizza fills the room with aromas of marinara sauce and fresh pizza dough. Edison’s fulfills your caffeine craving as well as breakfast needs. Lastly, 1908 provides a full bar to meet the demands of entertainment. Along with these consistent vendors, there are various restaurants that make pop-up guest appearances on a weekly basis. Each food stand has their own unique ambiance, but what they all share in common are evidently well thought-out menus.
At its core, the Pythian Market is truly a food hall for all. In the upcoming Saturdays, I highly recommend dining there sometime between 11am and 2pm if you are interested in listening to great music while enjoying excellent food and drinks.
