In a humble brick building, at 69 N 4th Street, lies the Green Market Kitchen. Right in the middle of downtown Fargo, this small restaurant offers an escape from the humdrum and gives its visitors an opportunity to enjoy a unique culinary experience.
The owners, Andrea Baumgardner, Steve Heiland, and Peter Kelly strive to maintain a sustainable kitchen that utilizes whole foods whenever possible from local growers. The menu indicates vegetarian and vegan choices and also offers a wide selection of wine, cheese, and fresh breads.
Every night, chef Andrea Baumgardner, crafts a menu that offers a variety of delicious choices that could suit any palette. With menu items like griddled provolone and chorizo cantimpalo sandwich and squash, carmelized onion and gorgonzola lasagna, both at $8, you get the particular excitement of trying new, gourmet foods without fear of breaking the bank. I myself was able to enjoy a salad made with local greens, Stromboli as a main course, and tiramisu, all while still managing a $20 bill. As a college student, this is as attractive a feature as any.
Small white tables, white curtains, and a staff of three offer an intimate setting that encourages you to unplug and enjoy the simple delight that is sharing a meal with someone. Looking around, you see others enjoying one another’s company and forgetting about that busyness that consistently surrounds us…even for an hour.
Another inviting feature about this eatery is the knowledge of the staff on their menu. Ask any question about the menu and they will gladly discuss the features of the ingredients, the method of preparation, what it pairs well with, and personal recommendations. As a fairly “culinary-sheltered” girl from the heart of ND, I was thrilled to be so thoroughly educated on all of the foods that I have been able to explore at the Green Market Kitchen.
The restaurant is open from 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday – Friday, noon – 2:30 pm for Saturday lunch, and 4-9 pm, Saturday dinner menu. Call 701.241.6000 in order to reserve a table for the evening.
This little-known restaurant is truly a treasure hidden in the heart of Fargo and I would encourage anyone to discover it.
