I had been interested to visit Boston’s SoWa Sunday Market for a long time. So, on my recent New England vacation, I dedicated my last full day in Boston to an immersive dive into this hip outdoor market. The SoWa Market features unique food and artisan goods in a vintage warehouse setting. The day-long market is quite expansive, and it would be easy to spend several hours scouring all the interesting vendors. But with so many other compelling spots to squeeze in before heading back to California, my friends and I turned a laid back Sunday into a crawl across Boston’s south side. Highlights of our journey included gallery / bar Liquid Art House and a dinner of inventive and comforting Chinese at Myers + Chang.
SoWa Sunday Market
We arrived at the South End late Sunday morning just after the SoWa Market opened at 10am, easily finding street parking at a free-Sunday meter. SoWa is the catchy diminutive for “South of Washington” Street. This south part of town has become known for its artsy scene and its hip, cutting-edge restaurants. And the SoWa market fits right in. Set amongst a revitalized industrial warehouse scene, swathed in red brick, the SoWa market setting couldn’t be a more perfectly conceived for this lively scene. The market is strategically divided across three discrete areas tucked in amongst the warehouses, surrounded by galleries.
The first area we scoped out was filled with all types of delicious food artisans. The set-up was sprawled with casual tables that featured food from local produce to packaged artisan goods. We walked from stall to stall tasting amazing bread, honey, cheese, and ice cream.
The vibe is low-key and the quality is high. It’s torture not to be able to food shop when traveling, although I did grab a little jar of complex, perfumey Golden Rule Honey that I could easily stash in my luggage. It was difficult to pull ourselves away from all this amazing food, but we were saving ourselves for the food trucks.
We wandered to the next open air courtyard that was jammed with myriad artisans of jewelry, clothing, art, and crafts. One fascinating vendor recycled videotape into unique handbags, and I still wonder whether I should have picked one up. Some of my favorite art to take home when I’m traveling is jewelry and I dropped some bucks here on some beautiful and intricate hand-crafted jewelry designed by women from third world countries, learning to become entrepreneurs.
Before I spent the rest of my vacation money we decided that it was time to make our escape to the food trucks. The trucks are lodged in the most massive area of the market. A dramatic industrial-looking space, it held upwards of 20 food trucks, ringing a sea of colorful tables. By the time we arrived the space was packed, lines at the food trucks were a mile long, and nary a seat to be found. It’s interesting to see that food trucks are the same everywhere: stand in long lines and wait a long time to get your food. Usually my philosophy is it’s an opportunity to socialize while waiting, but this wasn’t the way I wanted to spend my last day in Boston. A little disappointing, but the SoWa market is rightfully popular. Next time I would strategically arrive early at the food trucks before the crowds arrive.
Cutting our losses, we grabbed some excellent ice cream of Chocolate Chili with Almonds at the Batch Ice Cream food truck, and carried it off to wander the streets of south Boston. We decided make our way toward the Back Bay, which happily took us right past Blackbird Donuts. I considered this fate and popped in to pick up a couple of my favorite donuts. Donuts safely in hand, we continued our trek a few blocks further toward the Back Bay with a destination of Liquid Art House.
Liquid Art House Bar & Gallery
Arriving at Liquid Art House for a quick drive-by, I was thrilled by the contrast of its ultra-modern interior with its vintage exterior that was once the Boston Gas Company building. Part trendy bar – part modern art gallery, I loved Liquid Art House’s conceptual and whimsical nature. I was pretty blown away by the interior with its high ceilings and stunning contemporary interior design. The space is quite large with walls covered in contemporary art.
Liquid Art House’s service was friendly and welcoming as we plopped down in a comfy swivel chairs at the massive bar for a quick respite. I had a glass of rose wine and my companions had a brilliant passion fruit lemonade that was so complex that it required sipping.
The enormous round bar dominates the room, crowned by a stunning purple glass chandelier that hovers above. Despite the enormity of the bar, there is ample negative space for milling when this place is crowded for happy hour or a clubby weekend night. While the lines are clean and modern, Liquid Art House still has a comfortable vibe and is strategically dotted with couchy alcoves.
Liquid Art House is not just a bar, but also has a sizeable dining room. In particular, I was amused to see that Liquid Art House cleverly carries its theme through to one of the coolest restrooms I’ve seen in a while. It’s quirky and fun and shows that Liquid Art House doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Departing Liquid Art House, we circled back to the South End, headed to our final destination of the day, our dinner reservation at Myers + Chang.
Myers + Chang for Modern Chinese
Everything about Myers + Chang is modern and well-thought out in contrasts of classic and new. As we entered, I judged the contemporary interior to be a bit of an homage to a retro diner. Service is friendly and efficient and we were seated immediately at an advantageous window seat. I had been drawn to Myers + Chang for its small plate, modern spin on Chinese classics and its great reviews. The menu was so packed with delicious-looking options that I was thrilled I had two companions to share with.
We began with an order of “Untraditional” Scallion Pancakes that were so light and crunchy that upon devouring the first batch, we ordered a second.
I’ve never before had dumplings in an appealing rectangular shape that were pan-fried to such caramelized perfection. It turns out the shape was perfectly suited to holding fresh, chunky pieces of shrimp that had fragrant overtones of herbaceous lemongrass.
Myers + Chang may be my favorite spring rolls, with their crispy skins filled with Swiss Chard and Glass Noodles and accompanied by an ingenious Pear Duck Sauce for dipping.
I also adored the Wild Mushroom Lo Mein that was busting at the seams with wild mushroom-y goodness, but made memorable by the undertones of bitter chicory.
While I didn’t partake of this Beef + Broccoli dish, my friends loved it – and it was clearly a beautifully composed dish.
There wasn’t once missed beat at Meyers + Chang, and if I lived in Boston, I would probably be eating here every week.
But moreover, it was a great, leisurely day hanging out in the south of Boston just wandering around and feeling a bit like a local – and, of course, checking off three more items from my must-do itinerary. This perfect day blended the pleasure of vacation in experiencing new sights, yet digging deeper into the city’s popular culture.
