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Any true foodie will tell you that their travels are defined by the cuisine they eat — the restaurants they visit, the street food they sample and the ambiance they enjoy during the process.

From Faneuil Hall in Boston to Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, I’ve made it a point to visit the food halls that define every major city I’ve wandered through during my own travels. However, thanks to the upcoming Delray Beach Market, instead of traveling around the globe to find a remarkable food experience, come April we’ll need only go a half-block off of Atlantic Avenue instead. What’s more, there will be art and entertainment here as well.

The vendor lineup at DBM is going to take the South Florida food scene to the next level. “Delray Beach Market will house over 25 individually curated vendors plus another roster of rotating/pop-up specialty vendors offering both local and eclectic flavors,” Jordana Jarjura, president and general counsel at Menin Development, the group responsible for the market, explains. If handmade pasta from Sorella's and knockout BBQ from Surry Co. Smoke House makes your mouth water, you’ll be happy to know that they’ve got a lot more up their sleeves at DBM. “We wanted to offer visitors a memorable and accessible melting pot of flavors from around the world,” Jarjura says. With boozy ice cream from Bona Bona, a sake haven at Tekka Bar and standout Indian flavors at Tiffin Box, this market is going to quickly become the must-see food mecca of Florida.

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“The only consistency we demanded with all of our eclectic vendors is that the food must be memorable,” Jarjura explains. “The goal is that every time you visit the market, there would be something else for you to see or try — a community epicenter of art, entertainment and food. All encompassing, an incredible add to the city we love.”

It seems the restaurateurs involved in the project are equally excited about and focused on bringing a unique dining experience to the area. Russell Pontone, general manager at Tekka Bar Hand Roll & Sake, can’t wait to share modern Japanese eating culture with the South Florida community. Pontone travels each year with his wife, Kumiko, and son, Tiger Levi, to Kumiko’s hometown of Tokyo and says they “have always spoken about bringing a true Japanese dining experience to the States.” With Tekka Bar, he hopes to finally see this dream come to fruition.

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“We specialize in Japanese-style hand rolls which are prepared one hand roll at a time, guaranteeing the unique textures, flavor profiles and freshness of each and every creation,” Pontone explains. His goal: create a “truly unique sushi experience” in South Florida.

Incredible as the food sounds, DBM is offering much more than just a dining experience. “We wanted it to be a community entertainment epicenter — a true feast for all your senses,” Jarjura says. “We will be programming events regularly, from cooking classes and world-class chef demos to live music and happy hours. Our upper level, coined The Mezz, will house an amazing show kitchen and bar, with a lounge and activation space for people to work, play, meet and greet in.” With so many enticing choices, it will be a challenge to wait until April for the grand opening.

For more information, visit delraybeachmarket.com.

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