Mercato brings Italian style to Norton Commons LEO's Eats with Robin Garr Pollo Arrosto, the half roast chicken at Mercato. Some of Louisville’s top chefs, such as Anoosh Shariat and Bim Deitrich, have built their reputation on a string of restaurants spread over decades, making every one a success.
And then there’s Fernando Martinez, who does restaurant entrepreneurship a whole ‘nother way. With his wife, Cristina, and cousin Yaniel Martinez, Fernando keeps adding more and more restaurants to a growing squadron of fine eateries that all run simultaneously. This is no cookie-cutter chain either, but a variety of excellent restaurants, all different in style and even national origin.
From Havana Rumba in 2004 to Red Barn Kitchen last month, I count 10 restaurants from the Martinez’ creative outfit, and they still have six operating to public and critical acclaim under the umbrella of their Olé Restaurant Group.
The other night, we finally got out to Norton Commons for a visit to Mercato Italiano, and I’m glad we did. It runs a close second to my Martinez favorite, Artesano, putting out good to excellent Italian-style fare.
Its red-brick storefront with striped awnings looks a lot like a corner grocery in Little Italy. Inside, there’s a long, U-shaped bar, and plenty of closely spaced wood-look tables furnished with hard red-metal chairs. Walls are bold white with red and black accents, and large window walls afford a good view of the shops on Meeting Street in Norton Commons’ village center. ...
Read the full review on LouisvilleHotBytes,
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/?p=5678You'll also find this review in LEO Weekly’s Food & Drink section today.
http://www.leoweekly.com/category/food-drink/Mercato Italiano Trattoria and Market 10640 Meeting St.
Norton Commons
690-3200
https://facebook.com/MarcatoItalianoTrattoriaandMarket Robin Garr’s rating: 86 points