On Sunday August 24th I sampled almost the entire Insalate e Antipasti menu at Trattori Mercatto at the Toronto Eaton Centre.
Owned by brothers, Jack and Domenic Scarangella, the approach is unpretentious yet delectable Italian food. The result is simple and seasonal cuisine. They currently have 3 centrally-located destinations in downtown Toronto including a bright and spacious, two-storey location with a patio at the high-traffic Toronto Eaton Centre.
Antipasti is an Italian first-course tradition meaning “before the meal”. What I love about antipasti is that the portions are shareable – but whether you actually do so or not is entirely up to you.
While it’s hard to pick favourites among a delicious array of amazing and tasty dishes, my favourite antipasti items included:
The Frutti di Mare for the generous amounts of seafood drenched in rich olive oil.
“FRUTTI DI MARE” with marinated shrimp, bay scallops, calamari, red onion, crostini
Polpette with veal and pork meatballs, in a rich tomato sauce with roasted eggplant and tomato caponata
“POLPETTE” with veal and pork meatballs, roasted eggplant and tomato caponata
Barbabietole Arrosto with beets, burrata, arugula, almonds and aged balsamic
“BARBABIETOLE ARROSTO” with beets, burrata, arugula, almonds, aged balsamic
Quick facts about Trattoria Mercatto at the Toronto Eaton Centre:
- Executive Chef Doug Neigel
- Trattoria Mercatto is recognized by the Vancouver Aquarium as being an ocean-friendly sustainable seafood choice
- Complimentary bread service is available upon request
- They have an enomatic wine system so you can enjoy finer wine by the glass without paying for the entire bottle.
- The patio has a capacity for 100 open for patio season from May long weekend to early October.
- Available for catering and events
For more info visit www.trattoriamercatto.ca
Photos by Nick Lee
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- “DIVER SCALLOPS” with fennel, orange, pine nuts, chili, agrodolce
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- “CALAMARI FRITTI” – fried calamari, fennel and garlic crema
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- “BARBABIETOLE ARROSTO” with beets, burrata, arugula, almonds, aged balsamic
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- “CARPACCIO DI MANZO” with beef tenderloin crudo, brandy crema, pickled onions, grana padano, arugula
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- “FRUTTI DI MARE” with marinated shrimp, bay scallops, calamari, red onion, crostini
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- Some refreshing draught beer: Estrella Damm
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- “SHORT RIB CROSTINI” – sticky beef short ribs, fior di latte, grilled sourdough, basil .
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- Estrella Damm draught beer and short rib crostini
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- “POLPETTE” with veal and pork meatballs, roasted eggplant and tomato caponata
