3 neighborhood markets for dinner, groceries

Back in the day, every city neighborhood had a small market within walking distance of your home. You could pick up a few groceries, see your neighbors, and maybe sit at a soda fountain for a delicious lunch. Those days are coming back. We visited three new local markets where you can pick up the fixings for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and enjoy a meal.

Grant Park Market, and tostones with slow-roasted Cuban pork

Grant Park Market, in the new Larkin on Memorial development, is an offshoot of Candler Park Market. Both markets offer groceries, ranging from wine and beer to prepared meals and fresh produce and flowers, but the Grant Park Market has a large seating area where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at communal tables. Chef Christina Conde shows off her Argentinian roots and love of Latin flavors with a menu that includes the delicious small plate dinner of tostones that we tried. A serving is three tostones, each topped with a spoonful of housemade chimichurri and a big helping of slow-roasted Cuban pulled pork. The generous portion was enough to make a meal, but you’ll be tempted by the albondigas, bravas papas and marinated manchego, as well. Quite a step up from a tuna salad sandwich at a soda fountain. $9 for tostones small plate. Other small plates range from $6 to $16. Entrees are $8 to $16. Grant Park Market, 519 Memorial Drive, Atlanta. 404-3308014, grantparkmarket.net.

Tostones, featuring slow-roasted Cuban pulled pork, from Grant Park Market.