Despite
the fact that Lumiere is now long-gone, Durham is now covered with hanging
Christmas lights, and a small but shining Christmas tree stands at the end of
Elvet Bridge. While walking to town on a late November weekend, you may need to
brave an icy breeze, but once you reach Market Square any dread you have about
the weather will be calmed by the prospect of delicious street food and warming
drinks.
There
is no shortage of food and drink available on a regular basis at the weekend
market. One of the first stalls that caught my eye was the Alpine 21 street
food stand. Selling cheesy comfort food, including freshly-made raclette and
potatoes (£5.50), nachos (£5), and macaroni and cheese (£6), it should
come as no surprise that the queue is long and crowded. The sight of hot,
melted cheese falling gently onto the carbohydrate of your choice is always
welcome, especially after waiting in line for such a long time.
Likewise,
the Eats of Spain and Phi Pies stalls attract equally long queues. When one
stall specialises in warm, fragrant Spanish paella (£6.50) that is made to
order in a large pan, and the other sells wraps and pies stuffed with delicious
fillings and wrapped in a delicate, flaky crust, it becomes a major dilemma
when you and your friends can’t decide what to eat. With both meat and
vegetarian food items, Phi Pies was very popular outside the Billy B last
academic year when the library café was under renovation, and has established a
loyal following.
If
you’re craving something sweet after all the savoury food, there are vegan
baked goods from the Green Guerilla, including cakes and pastries, or a
tantalising selection of cupcakes (4 for £5) from the @sprinkleduk stall. With
options such as shortbread millionaire with caramel centre, rocky road and
chocolate orange, how does one resist eating every flavour they sell?
Though
the weekend outdoor markets are a regular fixture of life in Durham, making one
feel as though they are a Gilmore Girl wandering the streets of Stars Hollow,
the Christmassy atmosphere of the town gives the weekend markets an additional
dimension of uniqueness. While you’re eating your food, why not get a Cadbury’s
hot chocolate with all the trimmings, or a mulled wine or hot coffee from the
hot dog cart?
By Constance Lam
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