Mercat
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 529-8600
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Between Lafayette Street and Bowery
- Directions:
- 6 at Bleecker St
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 6pm-12am, Sat 11am-4pm, 6pm-12am, Sun 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Mercat – by Kathleen Squires
The Scene
The room can't help but feel like one giant fiesta, especially with the appearance of the porron--a glass decanter filled with white wine. Patrons and staff, including the chefs lined up behind the open kitchen, take chugs as it makes the rounds. A slicing station for cured meat and cheeses adds to the authenticity, while a catwalk provides clever wine storage. The subway-tiled walls amplify an already deafening din.
The Food
Shareable portions make the Catalonian tapas menu fun to explore. Highlights like the lightly fried patatas bravas drenched in creamy romesco, smoky razor clams in warm bacon vinaigrette, and plump sardines marinated with salsa verde and preserved lemon cancel out mundane selections like bland snail and cippolini skewers or fried-until-stiff artichokes. Other guaranteed crowd-pleasers: juicy guinea hen touched with pomegranate, pea shoots sauteed with pine nuts and golden raisins, and, for a sweet ending, crispy churros with chocolate dipping sauce.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkThe Castel Roig sparkling pink cava sets a festive start for the night. The terrific wine list is entirely Spain-centric with some nice values like the light, lemony Vina Mein, $45.
Where to SitThe tapas lounge downstairs serves wine, sangria and cold plates only.
BrunchThe brunch menu includes dishes like Berkshire pork hash and an omelet sandwich with Iberico ham.
When to GoA few snacks are served at the bar's late night hours, 12-am-2am, Thursday through Saturday.
User Reviews for Mercat
08/17/2008 Posted by melanieheartsgreens
I've been to Mercat once this past February on a date with my then fiance and loved the food, so we decided to choose this location for the reception dinner of our wedding. We wed this past august 8th and had a dinner of about 13 in their basement. The service/food wasn't as great as I had remembered, but I figured it was forgivable being that I was pretty happy that day. Maybe 20 minutes after we left, I realized that I had left a folder with my marraige license and tucked inside was also an envelope with our wedding gift of about $500 cash from our family. We immedietly returned to a folder without the cash inside. The whole restaurant crew, manager included claims to know nothing of it. I am in disbelief of the whole thing still. We never filed a police report that night only because my husband refused to end our weddding day calling the police. I recommend never to go to this place!
06/06/2008 Posted by alderias
This restuarant is worth it. I recently flew to New York from Miami on a business trip. This last tuesday I went in to Mercat for a business dinner and was blown away. The food was great, and the service was even better. Anyone who wants an evening of pure bliss should head to this tapas joint
