Mercato @ DIFC

Truly Italian

I guess the people working in DIFC area are indeed lucky to have many food choices, just up their alley, But someone who has discovered this fantastic place is more than lucky, they find a home here. Located on the DIFC Gate village 1, Mercato ( which means Market) is one fine place. Loved the cool vibes and 



neat layout, you are transformed into a bistro style setting. Nothing flashy, no loud music, great aroma from the oven, you immediately fall in love with this place. They have two long tables and few high table and chairs, mix of wood and cool tiles, chalk boards and all, simply lovely. This has a fine mix of grab and go and casual dining. You place your order at the counter and pick your meal and sit at the table and enjoy. No table bookings here, you are free to sit any where. I am told this place gets packed during breakfast and lunch, and these busy folks at DIFC are always in a hurry, so that they offer here sit perfectly for them.. Here you sit next to strangers and get into talking even its ifs a short while. 

We started with the salads, ordered the Farro, Salad which was an amazing mix of baby spinach, green apples,  raisin, crunchy pinenuts. This was really fresh, with a drizzle of balsamic dressing, I'd tell you it was delicious,  not a huge salad fan but this one i just gobbled it up. Next was the Ravioli porcini, I had gone here with my wife and she was lost for words after she had this. Really wonderful, again as a critic was looking for a fault here but there was non. The portion size here was fantastic. Your come to an Italian motherload and then how could you not have pizza, so pizza was next on order.  

We tried the simple Margherita, tomota, mozarella, basil and  tab of extra virgin OO, I Loved this one, just gave one slice to my beloved and I ate the rest, I kid you not. just fresh off the over, all fresh and amazing flavours. We ordered a sandwich - Alla Milanese, which comes in a freshly baked ciabata bread and has chicken breast and lettuces and tomatoes. The outer crust was a bit hard but the overall sandwich was good.
For dessert we had the canolli, totadelanonna and chocolate mousse cake. Man they are perfectionist, got the canolli right, the outer crust and the stuffing was perfect. The torta della nonno, really took us by surprise. It just looked like just another cake slice, and we were wrong. This you need to go and try and my mouth is watering now. Mousse cake was fine, as you would find in many decent cafes. overall, we enjoyed the experience here. Its not only the food, but the ambiance, the service was terrific.
Craig, was a true champ and real F&B man. He knew what we was talking about and he had the passion for food. We were really we looked after at the Market. DIFC is not a place we go often, but  truly I will not think twice to drive a bit off to get to this place. They do deliveries in the DIFC area as well. Thank you guys, Grazie Mille