Mercato is definitely one of those restaurants where you gather with your loved ones to celebrate a special occasion. For the past few years, my sister, Catherine and I take each other here for our birthdays to enjoy delicious food over great company. This time, we were celebrating Catherine getting a new job! Unfortunately, she will be moving out of the city. I asked her if there was one place she wanted to go to before she leaves, and Mercato is where she selected.
The reason why we enjoy this restaurant so much is because of the wonderful staff and food. Over the years, we have gotten close with the staff that they are like our second family to us. They always make our dining experience great and as if it’s our first time there each time. Also, how could you not love fresh and seasonal Italian cuisine cooked right in front of your eyes by the wonderful Executive Chef, Ryan?!
Over the course of this summer, Mercato is offering Tasting Tuesdays, where they feature and incorporate a food item into three courses and all for $33! The key ingredient this week was balsamic with your choice of entrée and dessert.
The first course was a “Chilled Jersey Tomato Soup” which had crab fritters, basil, sparrow lakes and white balsamic as a garnish. The tomatoes were very fresh and the crab fritters reminded me of being down the shore in the summer, a true summer dish.
The first course was a “Chilled Jersey Tomato Soup” which had crab fritters, basil, sparrow lakes and white balsamic as a garnish. The tomatoes were very fresh and the crab fritters reminded me of being down the shore in the summer, a true summer dish.
In between the first and second course, Catherine and I got the “Trio of Bruschetta” complimentary of the chef! Our favorite was the pickled watermelon with whipped ricotta cheese. Not your average bruschetta!
For Catherine’s entrée, she ordered the “Balsamic Bucatini with Lamb Bolognese” which included pistachio, oregano, piave cheese and manicardi 25 year old balsamic. She loved how the balsamic really brought out the flavors in the sauce. For my entrée, I had the “Corn and Portobello Mushroom Pappardelle” ricotta, rosemary and saba aged balsamic which was the perfect summer pasta dish, light and full of flavor.
Somehow we still had room for dessert! Catherine chose the Cherry Torta and I had the Balsamic Poached Pear. Catherine loved the basil and balsamic flavors that came out and I loved the goat cheese gelato that accompanied mine. I’d say that Tasting Tuesday was a success!
Thank you as always Mercato for making our family your own and always treating us so well!
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