Mercato Foods Restaurant
• 2224 4 St. SW | Calgary, AB | T2S 1W9
Average User Rating:
6.53/10
6.53/10
Recommended by:
44%
44%
Sort Reviews by:
"Good atmosphere, tight seating, slow service"
Mary
January 2012 — "The atmosphere of the restaurant and the market built-in was very unique. I enjoyed watching the kitchen staff make our meals. I enjoyed looking at the little cute packaging inside the market. However, the seating is poor. I remember the tables were pretty close to each other. I could not pull my chair out the entire way without blocking traffic.
We heard that the portions of Mercato are quite large so we asked our server to judge how much food would be sufficient for our party of six.
We had 2 appetizers and some main entrees to share between the 6 of us. I enjoyed the double bistercca very much. The calamaro was amazing. The presentation of food was very yummy-looking already. All meats were juicy. Had nothing to complain about. But our server did mix one of our orders up but we still enjoyed what was on our table.
Overall, good food but prices are over the top outrageous. "
User Rating
6.80/10
6.80/10
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"High End Italian"
Tolan
March 2011 — "This place wows with its open kitchen concept. We sat at the granite bar and were entertaining just by watching the chefs do their thing. You see fire burst up from pans, smell the aromatic herbs and just start salivating. There is the option to sit at a private table which is ideal for a date night but I was with a buddy so there was no need. Every chair has access to a little bowl of olives from Italy like you've never tried before. You also get serves fresh focaccia bread which you can dip in olive and balsamic vinegar. You don't have to wait for the oil and vinegar either since every chair has access to their own bottles of the good stuff...once again from Italy.
We drank some Italian beer called Morretti....at $7.25/bottle I could have went without it. I just wasn't my taste. They had a wide range of Italian wines but that's not my thing.
Typically in Italy, everyone shares the appetizers, pasta, and meat so Mercato stays true to that. Instead we got a couple of appetizers since we weren't that hungry. Each appy was close to $20 but we were definitely full. We had the Polpo and Vongole. Polop is octopus which was shaved in long strips like deli meat, sauteed with oil, capers and baby potatoes. It was unbelievable. Vongole is clams with a tomato based sauce and it too was incredible.
The ambience is romantic and it's a place to take your special someone when you want to impress. The other side of the restaurant is an Italian market where you can buy groceries and a dessert to share with that special someone."
User Rating
8.67/10
8.67/10
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"Best Lunch in Calgary"
sam
August 2010 — "I had the best lunch experience at Mercato. The food was perfect (I loved the lobster gnocci-this was the first restaurant that finally made the gnocci the way I like it) and the service was fantastic. The waitress was constantly asking if we were doing fine and my glass of water was probably refilled eight times. The balsamic vinegar served at the tables was so good I went over to their market to buy a bottle for home. The fish was cooked perfectly and was so fresh. Nothing was overly salty and I was so glad I came. This was probably the most expensive lunch I've ever had ($80 for 2) but the portions were very large and I would come again any day.
"
User Rating
10/10
10/10
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"no service"Karen
April 2010 — "I always thought it was a myth that a group of women dining could not get service, as compared to a group of men. Well, Mercato proved me wrong. While men sitting at nearby tables were chatted up, offered refills, and generally pandered to, my friend and I were passed by many waiters who refused to meet our eye, or in any way acknowledge us. I'd eaten here before and the food is in no way exceptional, the restaurant was not full, and I can divine no reason for the absence of service. I would suggest that everyone give this establishment a pass until they've had a change of management, and possibly a training program for employees. Until this happens, I would sooner eat at a hot dog stand than enter Mercato again."
User Rating
3/10
3/10
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"A Bad Experience Overall"Brenda
August 2009 — "Recommended as "the place" to eat in Calgary, I went with a local. It was hotter than Hades, but they have a policy that their inside menu isn't available on the patio so we persevered inside. The salad was dismal - limp greens clumped together, served in a bowl without dressing - they offered their oil and balsamic vinegar to add - at that price, they could be a little more inventive. Mixing anything through the clump of greens was impossible. The pasta was mediocre at best, the waitress knew little about the menu and knew nothing about the wines. When we got to dessert, we were "permitted" to sit on the patio since we were near passing out from the heat (and noise level). The initial bill had to be corrected. The men's washroom was out of order so the women's was unisex. With what they charge, they should be able to afford a plumber. My friend was truly embarrased by the whole experience since she had recommended it. The service was slow - we had to ask several times to have our water glasses refilled. Overall I would recommend eating anywhere in Calgary but Mercato. Over-priced and over-rated."
User Rating
1/10
1/10
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"A High Price to Pay for Mediocre"
d
March 2008 — "Mercato seems to have a good reputation which is backed by a very busy patronage and a standard wait for a table... but after my first visit I'm wondering if a lot of the diners are first-timers, coz I probably won't be going back. The atmosphere really pulls you in - it's busy and funky with a happening 'show' kitchen and the dining style is a bit different with very long tables that have different parties seated together. However we didn't make a reservation so had to sit at the corner of the bar if we didn't want to wait half an hour for a table. Not the best seats in the house being right by the loos and storage room but we thought it would be worth it for the food. When our orders were finally taken, and our food finally arrived (perhaps we were forgotten sitting on the outskirts of the activity?) I wasn't that impressed. The $10 cheese platter had just 3 slices of cheese on it and my pasta was nothing to write home about either. Surely the Tiramisu would be a specialty... well, I have to say I've had better. It looks like a fun place to dine if you reserve ahead and get a good seat, but I don't think either the food or the service is really worth the prices on the menu."
User Rating
6.33/10
6.33/10
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"people and food excellent combination "Jennifer
July 2007 — "long table communal seating as well as the usual.
outdoor tables great if weather co-operates
the type of very nice restaurant where i would be comfortable eating alone
small italian supermarket attached is useful- great shopping
the new building retains some character of the old supermarket in bridgeland"
User Rating
9.33/10
9.33/10
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"So Overrated!!!"
Chris
July 2007 — "After having this restaurant recommended to me by many friends, toting that it's the best Italian in town, I decided to give it a shot. First off I am Italian so I know my Italian food. Best ever??? far from it. The ambiance looks like your in some kind of supermarket deli. It's not terrible but hardly the setting in which to pay $35 for 'just' an entree. We sat down and politely and wait for our menus and water which ended up taking 20 minutes and we had to ask... ask for menus! Hello??? When we finally received our water (piss warm mind you) and menus we began to peruse their offerings. Hmmm, well everything looked pretty good, on paper. I ordered fresh herb linguine and quail and my girlfriend ordered the smoked calamari. As well, we ordered bruschetta to share. By this time we've finished our waters and would really like more but... no waitress. Finally our bruschetta comes, offering three styles. Tomatoes, three bean and zucchini. All were excellent. OK, so I don't have watter but the food is good. Or so I thought. The main meal comes and it's just a disaster. The pasta is dry and flavorless. It was basically pasta with a little butter with fresh basil and diced pine nuts. This is the kind of 50 cent meal my mother would feed us as children if she was too busy to cook real food. Hardly worth $10! Then I tried my quail. While it was tasty and well prepared it was horrible actually trying to eat it. It was pressed flat with all the bones still attached. I looked at it for about five minutes thinking... I'm in a fine dining restaurant and I don't see how I can possible use my knife and fork to disassemble this!?!... "
User Rating
3.17/10
3.17/10
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"Bold tastes, flavourful delights"Bob
September 2006 — "Wonderful dishes...talented chefs! Great wine selections.
The ambiance doesn't match the food one bit. With a blended market/bar/dining room, I found it confusing, overwhelming and not enjoyable while dining (unless on the patio). "
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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DescriptionStop at the cafe found inside Mercato Foods, offering a variety of Italian specialties and dishes. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner.
Location Information2224 4 St. SW
Calgary
AB
T2S 1W9
