 his newest NoHo tapas haunt named after the Catalan word for “market” is now open for business. The resto has an airy vibe with an open kitchen, exposed brick walls and delicate tea light candles on every table to mood lighting. Owner Jaime Reixach, a native of Barcelona (the Catalonian capital), has selected an all-Spanish wine list for perfect  pairings with the Spanish entrées or special seasonal sangrias perfect for the summer months.
Ryan Lowder and David Seigal have crafted a menu that puts emphasis on Catalan small plates. Of that menu, the standout dish is the Catalan fish stew with haddock, mussels, shrimp, and lobster that has tender pieces of seafood in a rich broth, perfect for sopping up with fresh bread. The monkfish lacks the seasoned thrust of the braised pork belly but makes for adrenaline-spiced grazing just the same. The heat and fire of Spanish cuisine is fit for many an East Village palate. - E.J.
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 AT A GLANCE
Mercat
45 Bond Street, New York, NY
212-529-8600
Tapas
East Village
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Mon. to Sat.: 6:00pm-12:00am
Price Range:
$$$ (Within Reach)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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7 Reader Reviews | Just ate here tonight (1/7/08)and was very disappointed. Reviewer #2 is right about the seating business--we walked in at 8pm, the restaurant was 1/2 empty. After we were asked if we had reservations and said no, we were seated in the bar area which felt like the equivalent of sitting in front of a bathroom door--and the place never filled up either. We were completely marginalized. Then there is the issue of the food and its pricing. Yikes! The $8 "croquettes" were presented in such a way that they looked like a pile of extra chunky dog food. They were dark brown, heavy, overcooked and very dry--and served without any sauce, condiment or garnish. The first dish to arrive was our "entree" of scallops which had an absolutely wonderful mixture of flavors--only problem was that it was $17 and we were served one large scallop sliced into three thin pieces on a 6 or 7" plate. And I know frisee is supposed to be fancy and is favored by all "nouvelle" cooks--but really, isn't it just a spiky tasteless excuse for gerbil food? (We fed it to our guinea pigs when we were little!). The beet dish which my friend had raved about wasn't anything like the good one he had eaten there previously. Instead of small, sweet, delicious baby beets, they served standard beets cut into large cubes with a bland, tasteless white sauce of some kind. If you are out of the ingredients for a dish, don't serve it! The leeks were also deliciously tasty, with a hint of mint which we loved. But they were over-grilled and heavy with oil. Finally, the $17 flank steak was a joke. Served over an oily, heavy pile of overcooked pimientos and what appeared to be onions, the dish was served floating in lard and grease. There was very little flavor to the meat, and, once again, no garnish or anything to off-set the heavy greasiness.
Perhaps if the chefs in the main part of the restaurant where we were not allowed to sit would have done a better job of making the food if they hadn't spent the entire time we were there pouring wine down their gullets with what must be some Catalan traditional pouring ritual. Don't waste your money. There are so many better options in NYC than this one.
1. Anonymous's Review :: January 08, 2008 |
Just ate here tonight (1/7/08)and was very disappointed. Reviewer #2 is right about the seating business--we walked in at 8pm, the restaurant was 1/2 empty. After we were asked if we had reservations and said no, we were seated in the bar area which felt like the equivalent of sitting in front of a bathroom door--and the place never filled up either. We were completely marginalized. Then there is the issue of the food and its pricing. Yikes! The $8 "croquettes" were presented in such a way that they looked like a pile of extra chunky dog food. They were dark brown, heavy, overcooked and very dry--and served without any sauce, condiment or garnish. The first dish to arrive was our "entree" of scallops which had an absolutely wonderful mixture of flavors--only problem was that it was $17 and we were served one large scallop sliced into three thin pieces on a 6 or 7" plate. And I know frisee is supposed to be fancy and is favored by all "nouvelle" cooks--but really, isn't it just a spiky tasteless excuse for gerbil food? (We fed it to our guinea pigs when we were little!). The beet dish which my friend had raved about wasn't anything like the good one he had eaten there previously. Instead of small, sweet, delicious baby beets, they served standard beets cut into large cubes with a bland, tasteless white sauce of some kind. If you are out of the ingredients for a dish, don't serve it! The leeks were also deliciously tasty, with a hint of mint which we loved. But they were over-grilled and heavy with oil. Finally, the $17 flank steak was a joke. Served over an oily, heavy pile of overcooked pimientos and what appeared to be onions, the dish was served floating in lard and grease. There was very little flavor to the meat, and, once again, no garnish or anything to off-set the heavy greasiness.
Perhaps if the chefs in the main part of the restaurant where we were not allowed to sit would have done a better job of making the food if they hadn't spent the entire time we were there pouring wine down their gullets with what must be some Catalan traditional pouring ritual. Don't waste your money. There are so many better options in NYC than this one.
2. Louise H.'s Review :: January 07, 2008 Louise H.'s Rating: 1 Stars |
Really pretty room. REALLY high ceilings, nice dark wood....its nice. Grand. The drinks are poured well. The food is nice. Dinner better than appetizers.
I don't know why, but I love the atmosphere in there. Its fun to go sit in there. I've heard the bar is nice but I've never been to it late at night.
3. Anonymous's Review :: June 13, 2007 |
Really pretty room. REALLY high ceilings, nice dark wood....its nice. Grand. The drinks are poured well. The food is nice. Dinner better than appetizers.
I don't know why, but I love the atmosphere in there. Its fun to go sit in there. I've heard the bar is nice but I've never been to it late at night.
4. Darryl Weinstein's Review :: June 13, 2007 Darryl Weinstein's Rating: 3 Stars |
Mercat is a cute, nondescript Soho neighborhood bistro that's one of those blink and you'll miss it spots. It's a wicked place. But, really, be warned, first, you must brave the difficult reservationist (especially for weekends). Next, prepare to be intimidated by the polished and stuffy wait-staff. Then, if you can get over the palpitation-inducing prices, the greatest danger awaits: The well-hyped fare is well below par.
5. Anonymous's Review :: June 08, 2007 |
Mercat is a cute, nondescript Soho neighborhood bistro that's one of those blink and you'll miss it spots. It's a wicked place. But, really, be warned, first, you must brave the difficult reservationist (especially for weekends). Next, prepare to be intimidated by the polished and stuffy wait-staff. Then, if you can get over the palpitation-inducing prices, the greatest danger awaits: The well-hyped fare is well below par.
6. Randall Ennis's Review :: June 08, 2007 Randall Ennis's Rating: 2 Stars |
Three stars, but that's not to say that Mercat is mediocre. Instead, it does some things very well, and some things not well at all. Bottom line: this is a great place to drink and eat light, and a great place if you're looking for a lot of little plates. It is not, however, a place for a large meal.
If there was one "hero" item, that indeed would be the Catalan fish stew, as stated in the martiniboys.com review. Generous with fish -mussels, shrimp, and lobster - and not overly "fishy."
7. Josh Kun's Review :: May 20, 2007 Josh Kun's Rating: 3 Stars |
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 45 Bond Street, New York, NY |
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