I went down to the new Mercato in Little Italy today. I have to do this because I need to start looking at this place where I live in a new light. As a travel writer, I’ve gotten in the habit of going places. Mexico. China. Mongolia. Italy.

But I want to home in. It’s time to begin to gather my resources around me and start writing about where I live. This is what I always tell people who want to start travel writing, yet I’m only just beginning to heed the advice myself. And I live in one of the prime travel destinations of the country, maybe the world.

I’ve been to Little Italy several times but never to their farmer’s market. With good coffee, specialty items and lots of food, it has potential. For now, it’s still pretty small, but I think it will grow.

But I think Little Italy’s biggest draw is its food. Some of the best restaurants in town are congregated around this small neighborhood which still retains some of its historical flavor.