Dining


Janet Wilson Enjoys The Mercatino Delicatessen & Coffee

Thursday, August 07, 2008 - by Janet Wilson
The Mercatino Delicatessen & Coffee is located at 417 Frazier Ave. Click to enlarge.
The Mercatino Delicatessen & Coffee is located at 417 Frazier Ave. Click to enlarge.

One of our readers recommended we visit Mercatino Delicatessen & Coffee at 417 Frazier Ave. They are in the same block as Jet Stream Grill.

The inside of the café is nice, clean and neat; very attractive. Shelves containing all sorts of oils, spices, teas, and other items for sale, adorn the wall to the right. Tables feature fresh flowers.

The sandwiches looked so tempting (there are a few made up in the cooler so you can get an idea of what yours will look like), I didn’t know which one to select. I thought about soup, but it was French Onion (which is one of my favorites), but I had just had it the night before.

Paninis ($7.99) include Prosciutto and Mozzarella served on a baguette with arugula and tomato, seasoned with extra virgin olive oil; Panino De Pillo, sliced roasted chicken breast on sour dough bread with edam cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado dressed with dijonaise; and the Spanish Temptation (sautéed Spanish Chorizo with scallions, topped with melted asiago and provolone cheese on flat bread and served with Salmorejo dip and garlic aioli in the side). There are others as well, including Caprese, Mortadella, and French Dip Paninis.

Wayne finally decided on the Black Forest (Black Forest ham, smoked gouda, lettuce and tomato dressed with dijonaise on Italian rustic bread). Sandwiches are served with veggie chips.

I knew I couldn’t eat a full sandwich, so I went with the half sandwich/half salad plate ($7.99). I also ordered the Black Forest but with the Greek Salad featuring sliced tomato, cucumbers, red onions, Greek olives, and feta cheese on mixed field greens.

Other salads include Chicken or Tuna Salad, and a Mediterranean Salad (olives, avocado, Fontina cheese and heart of palm).

I was correct about the sandwich – it was quite large – no way could I have eaten the entire sandwich. It was delicious and we both said we would order it again. The Greek salad was good, although the dressing wasn’t my favorite, it wouldn’t keep me from ordering it again. They do not skimp on sandwich fillings!

If you would prefer something other than a sandwich, Mercatino’s offers Cheeseplates ($14.99, $24.99), priced by the pound, or a Charcutery plate with a combination of prosciutto, salami, and chorizos, also priced by the pound. Or what about fondue ($6.99 per person), chocolate or cheese?

We enjoyed our visit to Mercatino’s and would recommend it to anyone. They also offer Gelato and Sorbet. I was going to order a gelato, but found they do not make it there, it is shipped in. I’m sure it is quite good, but I was hoping to try a “homemade” version.

They do have a breakfast menu featuring your choice of bread with eggs, cheese, ham, and turkey ($4.50), granola with yogurt or fruit ($4.99), Ham and Cheese Croissant ($4.99 or an Almond, whole wheat, cheese Danish, or chocolate Croissant ($1.85).
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Coffee drinks, teas, soft drinks, beers and more are featured. Mercatino also does catering.

Mercatino is open Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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