Mercato
| Address: | 108 N Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA |
| Phone: | +1 607-319-5171 |
| Site: | mercatobarandkitchen.com |
| Rating: | 4.8 |
| Working: | 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM Closed |
Location
Photos 50
Reviews 22
A
A Private User
We took our sons to Northern Italy for Thanksgiving this year and were happy to find Mercato when we returned. Located on Aurora Street’s restaurant row, theirs is the closest thing to authentic, thoughtful Italian cuisine to be found in central New York. We have been three times in a month and always thrilled with our experience. Starters include wonderful fresh salads, chicken liver or mushroom crostini, cured meats and cheeses and a house soup. As entrees, the gnocchi, ravioli and pastas are all wonderful in their light sauces. There are succulent fish preparation along with meat dishes accompanied by shoe string potatoes and puree of vegetables. Desserts are flawless and out of the ordinary such as panna cotta, tuile cookies with ricotta & honey comb and an absolutely out-of-this-world pine nut tart. There is a great selection of $25 bottle of wines along with a few higher price selections, wine and beer by the glass, and a full bar with a host of house cocktails. The service is prompt and enthusiastic. Mercato is almost all booths with a few front tables for larger parties. The bar is warm and friendly, much like you find in the trattorias of Firenze or Bologna. Highly recommended. Closed Sundays. No reservations.
CO
Cordelia Maxine
As I had a remarkable dinner next door at Mercatos sister restaurant the night before, I was very intrigued to try this based on the recommendation of not only one of the owners, Eric, but a Master Sommelier who instructed my intro Sommelier exam highly recommended it as well. Yes please! We enjoyed a selection of cured meats, olives and cheeses to begin along with the smoked Salmon crostini topped with mascarpone whipped with chive and lemon zest with fried capers. We chose the chicken liver crostini too with pickled red onion topped with roasted onion and bay leaf and blended with dark rum. For main courses we enjoyed Paccheri with white bolognese of sausage, beef, porcini mushroom, cream and parmigiano and Porchetta-roasted pork loin stuffed with Italian sausage, veal jus, rapini and fingerling potatoes. Our wines were stunning too, which ranged from Verdicchio to Ciliegiolo to Aglianico. A gorgeous pot de creme and panacotta finished it off for dessert and what a delight it was! The food was very different than your average Italian offerings and pleasantly surprised me. Very creative and absolutely the freshest finest ingredients were prevalent in the menu.
A
A Private User
Amazing food, incredible bar. I have been twice for the food and always been very happy. The fish in paper and scallops are wonderful. While the serving sizes might be small by American standards, I never left feeling hungry in the slightest. And it means that you can actually have room for an appetizer and an entree. The bar is probably my favorite part. Classic style cocktails, which include the original date and location for many of the cocktails. The bartenders are all friendly and knowledgeable. Good place to go if you are interested in classic style cocktails.
TO
Tony Potts
Very surprising experience at this little gem! Definitely wont fnd anything plain on the menu. Very interesting choices. Started with the brothy clam chowder that was briny goodness. Then, I had the oxtail gnocchi and it was done perfectly. The bartender was very knowledgeable and a treat to talk to. Talked about different types of gin and wine all night; great fun!
EL
Eli Robinson
Perhaps one of the best resturaunts in Ithaca right now, I went on a weekday and the food was excellent, my Fish and my partners Pasta were both perfectly simple yet delicious, the atmosphere was spot on and you could tell that all the details had been minded, such as the bread, which is definitely the best in town, that was brought in from New York.
TI
Tim Lane
Mercato is a food sanctuary. We ate there by chance because of schedule and timing and will definitely be going back. We ordered 3 pasta dishes, 2 chicken, 1 steak, 1 fish and a bowl of soup. Wow, food cooked to perfection with care and expertise. Everyone shared part of their meal stating "taste this"! What a gem in a great college town.
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Joseph Pratico
Very chic and cool atmosphere. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Had the pan roasted chicken breast with savory marinated peaches, capers, garlic, leek, white wine and finger link potatoes...it was great! Bartender even served me a free glass of wine while I waited for my meal. Homemade pastas and desserts.
MI
Mike K
Wonderful food and service. My only complaint was with the clams casino. They werent clams casino but an offshoot of them. If Id known that I would have gotten something else.
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Roberto Delgado
Great Food!, I ordered the Mint Pappardele with Lamb Ragu and it was delicious. The service was good also. It is a cozy place to eat.
PR
Preet Jassi
Valiant attempt at great Italian food. Was pretty decent but not top tier - again lacking some basic seasoning
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Eva Malinowski
Great place with great food and drink. The sparkling blue moon was the best cocktail Ive ever had!
JE
Jeff Anderson
Excellent food that is original. Very attentive service as well. My favorite in Ithaca!
JA
Jason Henderson
Theyve got it down. Excellent drinks and probably some of the best food in Ithaca.
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Brent Law
This and the place next door, same owner, bear food in Ithaca. Pricy and salty.
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christopher Austic
Great food, great wine selection, the bartender and staff very friendly.
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Shea Belsky
Great service, delicious food, and amazing staff. Major recommendation!
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Sarah drumheller
Great service. Very well executed food.
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Devon Henry
The seared pork chops is amazing!
SI
SiHyun Uhm
Great place to go out for dinner
KA
Kate Anderson
Excellent in every way.
DE
Deborah Campbell
Loved desserts
AN
Anton Burkett
Great food
