Philly Dining: MERCATO SUMMER TASTING MENU

by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

In terms of the decor, I like the simplicity, intimate size and natural lighting of Mercato, yet it had been over 5 years since the last time I’d dined there. It’s an Italian BYOB, but not how you’d think of a traditional Italian restaurant; it’s really more the type of place I like to go to for small plates, antipasti, inventive appetizers, grilled veggies, artisan cheeses etc…

Our 3 Courses (Antipasti/Secondi/Dolce)  

We chose a Prosecco for our BYOB – Light, sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy well-balanced with hints of apple. 3 Tines  For more Tinsel & Tine Wine/Beer Picks visit our Pinterest page.

CHILLED JERSEY TOMATO SOUP – crab fritter, basil sparrow lane white balsamic 

The cool, but not cold temperature, the crunchy crab, the drizzle of olive oil, the hearty texture, all made for a perfect summer soup – 4 Tines

BALSAMIC BUCATINI & LAMB BOLOGNESE pistachio, oregano, piave cheese, manicardi 25 year-old balsamic 

What I have to say about this is… More Please! I wished I’d had a big, big portion. Wonderful combination of flavors, the Bucatini pasta is the consistency of a cold sesame noodle like you’d get at a Thai or Chinese restaurant. And I swear I could taste the difference between balsamic aged 25 years and regular balsamic. 4 Tines 

BALSAMIC POACHED PEAR goat cheese gelato, hazelnuts, vincotto fig balsamic

This was not very satisfying to me. I felt like the pear was too hard, the whipped goat cheese wasn’t very flavorful. I was left feeling like I still wanted dessert – 1.5 Tines

LeVonne chose the CHERRY TORTA almond crumble, white chocolate, basil villa manodori blasamic vinegar.  She wasn’t much happier with it then I was with my dessert, but we did appreciate our server adding the celebratory candle!
 

Tinsel & Tine Rating System: * Excellent – 4 Tines / * Great – 3 Tines / * Good – 2 Tines / * Fair – 1 Tine /* Poor –
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