Review: Mercato and Co. delights
Review: ★★★★
A new Italian-inspired coffee shop and grocery store hybrid has found its home on West University Boulevard. Mercato and Company, according to the cafe’s website, aims to provide customers with “a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels like home” and “a friendly and quaint experience.” When I visited, I was pleased to have these claims confirmed. The delicious food and charming ambiance combined to make Mercato a place I’d want to visit again soon.
When I arrived at Mercato, I took a look around the grocery side before ordering. The shop has several small tables with shelf-stable goods ranging from imported dried pasta and trendy tinned fish to fancy jams and extra-virgin olive oil. There were also a few coolers available with cold beverages, cheeses and a small selection of prepared foods.
While the setup of the merchandise was aesthetically pleasing, it was somewhat cramped, making the shop difficult to navigate when it was busy.
Although the shop has a few indoor seats, they were all occupied, and I sat out on the patio. The outdoor seating area is serene compared to the hubbub of the indoors and would be wonderful in early spring when it gets a little warmer. The patio was neat, with organized plants around the edges and sparkling clean tables with white marble tops. Additionally, the food was delivered to the table, which was a nice touch.
Mercato’s cafe has a large selection of offerings, ranging from savory sandwiches and charcuterie plates to sweet pastries and crafted drinks.
I started with a matcha tahini latte, one of their signature drinks ($6.75). It was sweet with a strong matcha flavor, accompanied by a touch of nuttiness from the tahini drizzled on top. I also tried a ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant ($13), which was delicious: the mozzarella cheese was perfectly melty and complimented the crisp, buttery croissant. Finally, I ordered a berry tart ($9) which, while not lacking, was certainly overpriced compared to similar options from other stores.
The combined price reached over $30 with tax and tip, making Mercato more of a “once in a while” place to visit instead of a regular study spot.
Another aspect to take into consideration when going to Mercato and Company is that it’s about a mile away from Rice Village. If you’re walking to the cafe from campus, the travel time could be up to 45 minutes.
While the walk itself goes through one of the university area’s beautiful neighborhoods, it’s less pleasant in the sweltering heat or blustery cold. There also isn’t a bus stop located close to Mercato and Company, making a car the only way to quickly get there and back from campus.
Overall, Mercato provides high-quality food and experience that’s perfect for when you feel like treating yourself. Its cost and distance are prohibitive towards frequent visits, but the next time you have something to celebrate, consider taking a trip down University Boulevard to reward yourself with a sweet (or savory) treat on Mercato’s sunny patio.
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