In the East Bay, in the charming, leafy town of Rockridge, is a terrific market, Market Hall. With a fabulous cheese counter, fresh home made pasta, and a good selection of specialty foods, this light and airy market features individual vendors who purvey artisanal foods, many locally produced and grown.

At the Pasta Shop, there is a wide selection of California and imported cheeses, as well as fresh pasta. A well-edited, if small, selection of teas, mustards and other specialty foods line the shelves. I found three kinds of dulce de leche, and the accommodating staff happily shipped them back to New York for me.

Also on the premises are a wine shop with excellent meat and fish purveyors, locals say.

Market Hall Foods
5655 College Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
1-888-952-4005

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