Merkato is a quaint little restaurant that’s tucked in the heart of the busy Timog area in Quezon City. With so many dining options in the area, it’s easy to miss Merkato especially since it’s not located along a major thoroughfare such as Toms Morato or Timog Ave. However, considering that it’s nestled in the less-chaotic back streets of the neighborhood, you do get to enjoy some peace and quiet while enjoying your dinner.
We started off with a salad. We had the Cavaillon Melon and Prosciutto Salad with Mesclun and Raspberry Vinaigrette which was a nice alternative to the usual salad. It’s actually just good for one, but we managed to share it between the four of us. Each of the ingredients used in the salad played a crucial role in the over-all taste of the dish and balanced each other out nicely.
I had the Chorizo Aglio olio Spaghetti as my main course. One would expect it to be spicy and a bit tangy because of the chorizo, but thankfully, its flavor wasn’t too overpowering. I was quite pleased with it.
Kleyr had the Pan-fried Red Snapper with Crispy Breadcrumbs, Whipped Potato and Tomato Fondue. It had a nice crunch to it, and was cooked perfectly with the fish still moist in the inside. The tomato fondue was also a nice complement to the fish.
My dad ordered the Braised Lamb Shank with Haricot Vert, Parmesan Polenta and Au Jus. It was vey tender, full of flavor, and a nice change from the usual grilled lamb.
My mom got the Pan-roasted Salmon Fillet with Brocolli, Anchovy-rosemary Sauce and Chateau Potato. Salmon is always a good choice for seafood, and that’s also the case here.
For dessert, we had their Crème Brulee. Unlike in other establishments where the crème brulee is simply a jazzed up version of the local leche flan, Merkato’s version is actually pretty close to the real deal. It’s creamy the way crème brulee is supposed to be. It’s a bit too sweet though, but this is where the accompanying fruits come in. It helps balance out the sweetness of the crème brulee.
Over-all, we had a very memorable dining experience at Merkato. The service is top-notch, and the food was remarkable as well. It may be a bit pricey though for those working on a limited budget, but not too expensive for an establishment of its kind. If you’re planning to go out on a date or celebrate a special occasion in an intimate location with good food, we suggest you check Merkato if your in the Timog area of Quezon City.
.
The Good:
Excellent service, flavorful dishes
The Bad:
A bit hard to find, somewhat pricey
Merkato Cuisine
55 Sct. Santiago cor. Sct. Rallos St.
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 416-9159
