Washington DC embraces its Foodie Side

I'm in Washington, DC for an impromptu visit with my parents and the chance to meet my divine little nephew, Gabriel over the Fourth of July long weekend.  What a relief to escape the low grey sky of London and revel in temperatures above 70 degrees and bright skies. And while I've never considered DC much of a foodie town, I've been reading a lot lately about the burgeoning food scene in the city.  Food trucks, markets, new concept restaurants are all reeling in the policy wonks and lobbyists and journalists that make Washington home.  Torn out magazine articles in hand, I arrived ready to explore what all the buzz was about, and yesterday we drove into town for a little culinary excursion.Union Market is Washington's answer to San Francisco's Ferry Building.  Housed in a large warehouse that's been a food market for over 200 years, they've spiffed up the vast space and installed about 25 permanent artisan vendors along with various pop-up events and one very shiny airstream caravan out front offering sno cones and beer. This area of Washington has long been home to wholesalers and markets and many are obviously still active on the perimeter, but the feeling is that this giant cornerstone will revitalize the food-selling scene here in the NOMA (North of Massachusetts Avenue) district. Inside there are butchers, tea shops, bakers, spice sellers, green grocers, a knife sharpener, oyster shucker.  The sellers are friendly and helpful, eager to offer tastes of their wares and talk about their provenance.