Sometimes a good meal at home with friends, family and a bottle of wine is the perfect recipe for happiness. If you’re cooking tonight — or want to splurge on some gourmet grab-and-go selections — here are some specialty markets around town that will nourish your mind, body and spirit. Bonus: They help other area businesses in the process.
Market Street Grocery, 435 Market St., Downtown
Work Downtown? Before you make the commute home, head to Market Street Grocery. The store, which opened in 2015, sells fresh, local products such as cheese and other dairy items, baked goods (try the macarons!) and cold cuts. They also offer takeout breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with La Colombe coffee. There’s also a wine bar that carries Collefrisio vino, a rotating lineup of Pennsylvania-made beers and cocktails shaken or stirred with Keystone State Spirits. The Graeme House, Market Street’s event and creative space for up to 100 guests, recently opened on the third floor.
My Goodness, 1104 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square
The folks behind Regent Square’s popular breakfast spot Square Café opened My Goodness last summer to bring organic, sustainable and local goods to the neighborhood. The place is stocked with market items and prepared food offerings from area vendors such as Steel City Salt Co., Té Amo, Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, Axel’s Pretzels, Pigeon Bagels and more. On the menu, you’ll find everything from ancient grain bowls and chickpea salads to Reubens and a charred broccoli sandwich. There are pastries, too, and treats including vanilla maple chia pudding.
Mayfly Market & Deli, 1327 Arch St., North Side
Located in the former Allegheny City Market space, Mayfly is carrying on the tradition of giving North Siders access to fresh produce, pastries, flowers and sundries from an array of area purveyors. Owner Ann Gilligan scoops her own homemade sorbet. And the takeout menu — which includes French lentil salad with roasted red pepper, feta, mixed greens and Indian Dal — is the work of Michael and Yelena Barnhouse, who run nearby Lola Bistro.
Feast on Brilliant, 27 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall
Longtime tenant Brilliant Market closed in 2011, but you can still head to their former location for fine, fresh foods. The completely renovated Feast on Brilliant carries many local products along with house-made goodies, including meatloaf, lasagna, soups and sandwiches. Each year, the owners head to the Fancy Food Show, one of North America’s largest specialty food and beverage events, to discover the latest deli delicacies. So you know you’ll find something special and scrumptious.
Bryant Street Market, 5901 Bryant St., Highland Park
Located on a busy thoroughfare and foodie destination, Bryant Street Market specializes in locally raised meats and simple yet delicious sandwiches (who doesn’t love a Yinzer: Isaly’s chipped chopped ham and American cheese?). The owners have been in the business for decades and recently took over the 52nd Street Market in Lawrenceville to spread their expertise to another neighborhood.