Il Mercato Cafe & Wine Shop
1454 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Hallandale Beach, FL, 33009
Il Mercato Cafe & Wine Shop Menu
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Starters & Salads
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Pasta
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Main Courses
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Il Mercato Cafe & Wine Shop
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Starters & Salads
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Pasta
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Main Courses
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Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Hallandale Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Hallandale Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1454 E Hallandale Beach Blvd
Hallandale Beach, FL, 33009 - Phone (954) 457-3700
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Daniel G.
Great italian place. Low key.
(4)Kari Jo M.
This lovely little cafe tucked away in a very unassuming spot was a total surprise - it's a lovely space, perfect for a family meal or a step up from the casual date nite. The impeccable service is worth mentioning first. Seriously wonderfully friendly staff, attentive and incredibly accommodating with any dietary restrictions. The menu is concise and well thought out - a nice variety of options, and the dishes are all very complimentary to one another, so it makes it really easy to order individually or family style. Excellent traditional wine list, nothing unusual or trendy, you'll find your usual favorites and reliable vineyards. The collection is put together well, and the pricing is very on point. I tried a nice Rose and was very pleased with it. The appetizers and salads are hearty enough to share with one or two people, the beet salad was divine and the truffle fries cooked perfectly! Loved the artichokes, and the slice of tomato that came with them was really really flavorful! We ordered the half size gnocchi (perfect for one) and the eggplant - both were perfectly prepared and delicious. Can't wait to get back for a visit, it was like dining with family! (family you like, I mean!!)
(5)Tony R.
This review is 3 1/2 stars..... This restaurant is practically hidden within a strip mall on the south side of Hallandale Beach Blvd. outside tables available. The food is very good and nicely presented. We started with grilled artichokes on arugula. Delicious....Followed by their red snapper special of the evening that was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Although our waiter neglected to offer, upon our asking, bread is available upon request only. Homemade deserts are worth the indulgence. Service efficient. Plenty of free parking. Reservations strongly recommended.
(4)Lucia M.
The only thing that is missing from the last review is the fifth star. Each time I love more this place. Today we have the calamari again (not to be missed ever), the papardelle - two styles : the Bolognese daily special and the cream and mushroom from the regular menu. I can't tell with one was best since both were amazing. To drink, the regular water and the Renwood Californian Zinfandel from the Summer Wine Special Liat . A great night out.
(5)Layla A.
Excellent service and food. The menu is just right in terms of choices. The ny strip has an tasty crust and the sauce adds another layer of flavor. Had the fish of the day half the portion on a lemon butter sauce. Simple and delicate. The gelato is home made As well as the strudel.
(5)T S.
What a.great place. Romantic hidden in the back. The owners run the place and is also the chef. Outside seating if you want to see the sky. It's hard to find but so nice well worth it.
(5)Akhil T.
If you like excellent steak, and you're in the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood area, this isn't a place you're gonna want to miss! Il Mercato is run by jovial old man who spends a major part of the year in Germany. This gives his predominantly italian meals a touch of German dissidence. I had the pleasure of trying this restaurant because I was staying at Hollywood beach a couple miles away. The majority of the patrons of this small, local, restaurant are locals who are on a first name basis with the staff! I had the grilled sirloin with mashed potatoes, and I have to say it was astonishingly good! For dessert, I went boring: Tiramisu. It was still excellent though! Definitely a great little spot worth visiting if you're in the area. 5 stars!
(5)Andrea A.
I loved everything about il mercato... And let me explain why. Service was great. We made a reso and then got stuck in traffic soon called and said we'd be late. They accommodated us and took us right in after being 30 minutes late. Ordered a couple of glasses of bubbly and burrata. My bubble was too sweet and they graciously switched it out for another. Burrata was amazing, just so good. Big enough for us to split. Entrees were the schnitzel and the scallops, if never thought I'd say the schnitzel was better, but it was. The scallops were good, but a few bites were grainy so if wasn't the best best I've had. BUT what gives this the 5 is the schnitzel, burrata, wine and service. This place is great and I can't wait to come back again.
(5)Lois F.
It has a limited amount of tables so I resisted writing this for fear of being unable to get a reservation., . High quality food. As good as any NY gourmet restaurant and a lot less expensive, but it isn't inexpensive for South Florida. If you order half portions you can make it so. The value for the money is high and the ambiance is good. When the weather is cooler I look forward to eating out on the patio. This is a find.
(5)Geoffrey M.
We had an excellent dining experience here tonight. This is my third visit, and we have had trouble with service here in the past, but we decided to give it another shot. We started with wine by the glass, they have a nice selection of wine by the bottle, but only one choice for a chardonnay and malbec, which was fine, the wine was good. We shared the baked brie appetizer which came in a puff pastry with salad and raspberry sauce. This dish was absolutely outstanding! Melt in your mouth delicious! I had the baby lamb chops for my entree (a half order is also available - as with most entrees) and these were the most tender and delicious chops I have EVER had! Succulent and full of flavor! My dining partner had the lasagna and really enjoyed her dish also. For dessert we shared the pumpkin walnut bread pudding which was served with hazelnut gelato. This dessert was an explosion of delicious flavor! Very very good. Service was prompt, friendly and professional - which was a relief from previous visits. It seems this restaurant has really come around, and I look forward to dining here in the future!
(4)Gabriel C.
Amazing !!! Felt like I was in a food network episode where they search and find hidden restaurants that are amazing! Everything was great !
(5)Jim A.
Very disappointed in management's handling of our dinner. I ordered a full portion of scallops, but was only brought half. Meanwhile my wife's order came with cold mashed potatoes. They ultimately brought the rest of my meal and then warm potatoes for her. But we were forced to eat in installments. I figured (hoped?) they would comp my order or at least only charge me the half order, but nope, they charged for the whole thing. When I asked for the manager, he refused to budge, saying you ate it, you pay for it. If you don't like how it was brought out don't leave a tip. Well, here's a tip: that's a stupid and shortsighted attitude. You lost a customer.
(1)Jeannie R.
Upon arriving at Il Mercato, you are immediately engulfed in old world charm. It's like having dinner with your family. It boasts a very cozy atmosphere with well proportioned space. The owner, Michele D'Antoni, greets everyone with charm and grace. He works his old family recipe into his very special gelato desserts as well. We had a most magnificent dinner starting with baked brie and apple chutney, along with spaetzle with truffled bechamel sauce for our first plate appetizers; followed with papardelle with cremini mushrooms, topped with goat cheese with marsala wine sauce. All topped off with shaved parmesan cheese! We also dined on espresso crusted New York strip steak with chocolate stout sauce! All this while enjoying delicious beers like Chocolate Stout and Bumbleberry Ales!! A truly mouthwatering dinner, topped off with home made black cherry, chocolate and hazelnut gelato. The service is impeccable. We highly recommend you enjoy a most delicious epicurean feast at Il Mercato, located at 1454 East Hallandale Beach Blvd. 954-457-3700. Il Mercato opens for dinner at 5pm, good idea to make a reservation as it fills up very quickly. Outside seating, with heaters, is available as well. We promise you will not be disappointed. Michele toasted with us as we enjoyed his magnificent Sambuca!! Cent'Anni!!! Here's to a hundred more years of excellence!
(5)Tamir G.
Good local neighborhood joint. Fish and steak were good. Good wine and beer selection.
(4)Donna L.
My friend and I have heard good things and decided to give it a try. The place is small and quaint, nothing fancy. Although the menu sounds great. The food was not very good at all. The apps were ok and small and the fish special which they called fresh was so bad it was not even edible. It was so fishy and salty and over cooked, I sent it back. My friend ordered a seafood over pasta and it came with tiny shrimp and tiny over cooked scallops. Also not good at all. Maybe the have a signature dish. But I won't be back
(2)Austin P.
Very impressed by the service and 5 star menu. The menu and atmosphere are totally opposite of what the location would lead you to beleive. To find fine dining locally is truly a gem. Highly recommended.
(5)Shawn K.
Really fantastic. Artichoke salad and gnocchi w/short rib. Cali the bartender provided great service. Items made fresh in house, excellent flavor all reasonable priced. Hidden gem
(5)Carmen S.
OMG FAB. I lived in the area for the last 7 years and i never noticed this existed. Its a hidden gem. We loved it. Went there on our date nite and we enjoyed the pasta and salad. So fresh, sooo very good. I have to HONESTLY say, that after living in italy, this place definitely can say it has "gelato". AWESOME, it took me back to my youth! I absolutely recommend it here and i can't wait for my next date nite!
(5)Mary M.
Love the chicken schnitzel with cucumber salad. Just delicious. I've tried several dishes, but that's my favorite. Their salads are solid as well. If you like chocolate...the pot de creme is delicious! The location could be better, but the food is tasty!
(4)Marie-Helene S.
Best fine dinning at a reasonable price and with a friendly atmosphere! The food here is absolutely delicious and the half plates offer just the right portions so you don't feel overly full or so have some space for dessert! I've tasted at least 6 different menu items and everything is fresh and extremely flavorful. My favorite so far are the grilled artichokes and the gnocchi with short-rib. Don't get turn-off by the shady location behind Publix in the strip mall, the ambiance inside is cosy, wether at the bar or at a table and the outdoor seating is nice if it isn't too hot out. Your best bet is to make a reservation or call to see if they're not closed for a private function which happens sometimes. This restaurant is must for locals or if you are just passing by the area.
(5)Dewey C.
Normally I wouldn't be so interested in a tiny little dump hidden behind a supermarket, but it is close to a friend's house and we have been here four times. Each time the waitperson seems to become less interested in our table. I thought it odd, but didn't really notice. I had planned a special dinner with my wife for our anniversary but things got tricky and we had to settle for Mercato. I have never been to a restaurant where the waitperson casually brought our entrees, plopped them down, and when I said my wife ordered something different such a person the temerity to to grumble and walk away with her plate. I was very hungry and excused myself from my wife and started to nibble on my entree. Soon the food was gone and no sight of her rare steak. My blood pressure started to climb as the moments ticked by without a notion from the waitperson. Finally her entree arrived and I was finished. I called for the manager and complained. He was a dullard so I asked for the chef or the owner. He said, "I don't think you want to talk with her." Well, I'm not dainty and have lived in Coconut Grove since 1959, been writing about food since 1970 and been around the world several times. I only dine out. One of the owners and the chef DE cuisine for the night stopped at the table when I demanded attention. She was rude and made no apology for her staff. This is a little dump trying to be upscale but they fail on every level. One of the odd things they do here is place a second rate cookbook on every table. I don't know why anybody would want to read other's receipts whilst waiting for their food. I didn't mention the food; it's not bad, but not good either, For example, my Wahoo was not fresh and was over cooked. My wife's steak was choice and tough. The best thing they do here is a spinach lasagna (at least of the items I have had on my six outings here. Be very careful of the wine. It may be poured from a bottle of something other than what you have purchased. (when ordered by the glass) I really resent a feeling that somebody is sandpapering my throat when I sip. I urge food, wine and patrons of civility to stay away. Oh, silly me, I forgot their parting gesture; I laughed because nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Well, my wife and I sat stewing waiting for the waitron to collect the bill from the table. He had dropped off a black check folder which I assumed meant that he wanted money or a card slipped inside. We waited 15 minutes; I got bored gabbing with the Ms so I said to her, "Shall we get out of this dump, I'll pay at the bar." Lo and behold the manager was at the bar and when I passed the folder to him he gave me a snotty look and said, "Look inside, there is no charge." As I turned to exit he said, "Oh, do come back soon." The owner answered my review in the usual way that owners and managers do when they have been neglectful to their patrons. The owner accused me of being a food critic for the Miami Herald. I am not, but I do have a press pass and do communicate with the media from time to time. I don't want to waste a perfectly good degree in journalism. She also accused me of having iced tea; I plead guilty. On the occasion in question I did have ice tea which was weak and tasteless (and one glass of Riesling) because on previous visits I had "wine by the glass". Wadda mistake allowing their awful wine to pass over my fungiform and foliate papillae. I am sorry to say that for an establishment that has "Wine Shop" in their name one might expect a Chateau Lafitte on the wine menu, however, in the case of Mercato, it is more accurate to call the few dismal offerings a wine list and as they are located immediately next to Publix this is the likely source of their swill. What they offer is poorly selected (even for Publix) and then sell it either by the glass or by the bottle. If they had a really nice selection I would drop in, sit at the bar and order a bottle all by my lonesome, but if I am dining with an abstainer, why, a glass is preferable. I have tried four of their selections and they were all overpriced and very poor quality. I am a francophile and have issues with what their government has allowed to happen to their wine industry. I still drink it and hope for the best, but Mercato should go a bit more upscale when selecting wines. If they went that route then they wouldn't have nasty customers like me complaining about the gravel like effect of their liquids sliding over my tongue in a full frontal assault on my gustatory sense.
(1)Diana N.
Delicious food, excellent service.!!! We absolutely loved it!!! From the outside the place doesn't look very busy but when the doors opened.....it was like being in Sicily. We will definitely be back....and many times!
(5)ashley m.
What a little gem. Don't let the fact that it's nestled away behind a Publix grocery store in a strip mall deter you from trying his place. Cute outdoor space, good wine list, friendly service and really good food. We also got dessert! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Daniel P.
If you want a different family own restaurant, this is the place. Great service. The food is amazing. We go there at least once a month. Parking is not a problem and I guarantee you that you will have an excellent time!
(5)Erika D.
This an awesome place! We have been coming here for over 3 years and we consistently get fantastic food and service. The menu is small and changes with the season. They use fresh, seasonal ingredients and the food is so tasty! The cook is one of the owners and you can tell that she puts a lot of care in the food she prepares! The daily soup is delicious. Great selection of wines and the service is just phenomenal. They treat you like family.
(5)Amanda K.
My new favorite!! Guaranteed exquisite service, food and drinks every time. Small little place, one word, A-MA-ZING!
(5)Nicole W.
I went to dinner with my cousin this weekend. She suggested this place, and even though it's in a little strip mall next door to Publix, I was impressed. They have outdoor seating and a decent wine list, so after being seated, we all ordered a glass of wine. For appetizers, we ordered the cream of mushroom soup and the Spatzle (similar to mac n cheese). Both were excellent, and the portions were large! For the main course, we ordered the Gnocchi with a short rib sauce, seared Scallops with a leek risotto, Pork Chops with mashed potatoes, and one of the specials, a filet of Wahoo served with roasted potatoes. Everything was tasty! The scallops (my entree) were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I wasn't a big fan of the leek risotto though, and would have preferred a cheese or mushroom risotto. We all enjoyed our meal here, and I look forward to dining here again!
(4)Russ T.
Great food and great service with Nice atmosphere. In my own words IT DOESN'T SUCK! DR. T
(5)Debra S.
Excellent expressions of creative culinary art!! Superb delicate yet robust offerings to please the pallet.
(5)Paula L.
I will back there again !! No doubt. Food was delicious, good service and relaxing atmosphere..
(5)Martin O.
My friends invited us on a Saturday Night to dine at Il Mercato. I started with Organic Apple Cider and Parmesan Fries (the kind if fries you find in Europe - very good). They served French Bread with Butter with the round of Appetizers/Salads. For a main course, I had a full order of the Chicken Schnitzel that came with Mashed Potatoes. My friend had a half order of the Chicken Schnitzel and Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta. I liked the idea of ordering the two half orders. For dessert it was Apple Strudel. Il Mercato is located in the Publix Strip Mall. It's an affordable local neighborhood restaurant. There is plenty of free parking.
(4)Rose M.
Delicious!! We live in the area and decided to come here because of the reviews. For apps we got the spetzel which was delicious and cheesy we also got the barata which was very good and was creamy and had just the right amount of balsamic. For entrees we got the expresso NY strip steak which was surprisingly very Good it came with mash and haricot-vert and a chocolate sauce we also got the Lamb and gnocchi which was homemade and excellent.
(4)Matthew C.
Love this place! Great food and always friendly staff! It is a great little gem!
(5)Roberto B.
For reasons that probably won't remain undercover for too long - it looks like I myself will follow Gina northbound into the forays of Broward county - although for me it won't be just work but possibly an entire lifestyle change. I can't possibly think of why I didn't, sooner, put myself in the capable hands of a dear friend and competent realtor, Marissa, who not only took me out to one of the best dinners I've had in a long time, graciously gave me an evening tour of downtown Lauderdale and its surrounding environs, showing me with grace, ease and humor that my possible new digs really are the best spot(s) in town - and when it came to a culinary experience - what better place to start than at Il Mercato - in short it was divine. Sparsely populated (and maybe it's better that way, let's not let the secret out), and tucked into a strip mall, it's clear from the paper menu that this little gem of a restaurant, which changes its menu prolly 2x a month, serves the freshest of ingredients with quite a bit of panache. Portions aren't overwhelming, but they are so subtlety flavored, they needn't be because they fill and satisfy with great aplomb. Marissa and I shared a chickpea salad, we discovered their li'l secret - deep fried, that was just scrumptious. She went for the salmon that was atop a bed of heavenly quinoa you would swear could be cream gravy mash potatoes (by flavor and consistency/texture) while I tucked into the smaller portion (they offer 4 and 8 oz sides of fish) of tuna that was cooked rare to perfection and graced with a side of kale that was blessed with slivers of carrots and raisins that had a hint of curry and vinegar - it was all divine, if no one else was looking I mighta licked my plate. In short - I'll be back and for a meal like that - well by golly - I will move to Broward!! Great ambiance, delightfully spotless restrooms and very amiable servers rounded out a most pleasant evening indeed!
(5)James O.
Ok, when you first walk in you find yourself in a small homey atmosphere very conducive to relaxed enjoyable dinning. Wait staff very very friendly and attentive. First course grilled baby artichokes- excellent! Second course crispy fried calamari in an Asian soy sauce. Not crispy, sent back and told them to keep the sauce on the side. Second try was perfect. Excellent calamari! Third course are the scallops which I am about to eat right now. Hold on. Scallops perfectly cooked with asparagus and polenta. Delicious! Wow very pleased and glad to have found a new spot for casual fine dinning. 5 stars for me.
(5)Shelley M.
I live across the street so its very convenient & its also delicious. The servers are always friendly also, and the prices are reasonable. My go to items are: Steamed Muscles & Crispy Calamari for appetizers, and Tagliatelle & Scallops for entreés. I tried the Chickpea Salad and the Gnocchi/short ribs once, and never ordered those items again. The salad was a boring "throwaway" dish, and the gnocchi was too oily/greasy for my taste. They do change the menu every now & again, but the four items I recommended (Muscles, Calamari, Tagliatelle & Scallops) have been on the menu for years because they are all solid dishes.
(4)J Leigh E.
If I was a local, I would be a regular. It was very quiet tonight (Super Bowl?). The atmosphere was great for couples-lots of tables for 2. Very quaint inside but they also have dining outside. The server was very knowledgable about wine-it is a wine bar after all. We really enjoyed the bottle of Cabernet we ordered. We also had a small portion of scallops and a full portion of the tagliatelle. The scallops came with risotto and were perfect! There were 3 scallops and a very generous serving of risotto. The tagliatelle was pretty good if you like the combination of mushrooms and goat cheese. Glad we saved room for dessert. We love bread pudding so it was not hard to talk us into the pumpkin bread pudding. The server recommended hazelnut gelato. We took the suggestion and also added a scoop of vanilla. The serving size was not overly huge but it was delicious! Will definitely return if I ever find myself in the area again.
(4)Julia R.
My husband's favorite place. Nothing like the tourist trap, the hidden gem for locals, therefore even during the week always make the reservation.
(4)Charles C.
This a fantastic local schmocal authentic Italian restaurant with a side of German. Our gracious host was the owner of the restaurant who started in the business at the age of 15 in an Italian restaurant in Germany. Our waitress was attentive, personable, and knowledgeable. My wife and I started off with a naan appetizer that was grilled and half topped with an olive tampenade and half hummus cover with a bit of arugula and cubed tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not very Italian, but uber tasty and light. My wife had the Veal Schnitzel and mashed potatoes. I had spaghetti carbonara. The schnitzel was crispy and tender which was accompanied by a fluffy creamy garlic mashed potatoes. My spaghetti carbonara was a creamy, bacon-y and perfectly al dente experience. Then we polished off the meal with absolutely excellent desserts. I had the warm chocolate brownie with chocolate gelato which was smothered with chocolate syrup. It was perfectly decadent. My wife had the dulce de Leche cheesecake which she enjoyed extremely even though chocolate was not an ingredient. Anyway, this cozy Italian restaurant is a can't-miss. My wife and I will be definitely be returning.
(5)Jeff S.
I have eaten here before and enjoyed some good meals, however my most recent dealings with this establishment has forced me to let the people know about the terrible tragedy of customer service. I made a reservation that day for 7 pm about 4 hours prior. They asked me would I like inside or outside. I told them "inside for 3 people", to avoid the smokers. They confirmed. "We'll see you there". I was at the pool and later saw a voice mail after I got out of the shower. We were about to depart when I heard the message. I'm sorry we have to cancel your reservation because we had to move some people from outside seats to inside. We can take you around 8 pm. I called and my Mom was furious when she heard what happened. "How can you give up a reservation. That is unacceptable"! She exclaimed. I'm not sure if we lost the signal or they hung up on us. Either way, to cancel a confirmed reservation last minute is not ok in my opinion. What kind of way is that to treat a customer. My mom doesn't want to go there anymore.
(1)Ed M.
This is a hidden gem. When I say hidden, I mean it. Small but inviting. Niece people, good service. Had a half portion of the scallops and it was phenomenal! Cannot say enough good things about the food. Try this place.
(4)Gaby D.
My first time here invited by some friends. Was surprised to find such a nice restaurant hidden behind this shopping strip. The service and food were great, nice portions and great value. Will come back again.
(5)Jackie J.
Seriously the BEST scallops I've ever had!!! A little taste of heaven each time i took a bite (no, really!) i can write an entire review on them. The staff was attentive and sat us down right away even without us having reservations. the owner greeted us and treated us almost as if we were family. (hard to find in south florida) Everything we ordered was full of flavor and so fresh it really reminded me of when I was in Europe. The half portions were perfect for us that night since we ate a late lunch.The lasagna and the rum banana bread were memorable! I saw a few wine specials, but we opted for a French wine which was also very reasonably priced. I also loved that you can write on your cork and stick it in the cracks of the wall because sometimes I'm cheesy like that.
(5)Jason E.
Hah..you must be kidding me. People travel here to this seedy strip mall for the food? A friend said this is a must go to restaurant. Being from NY I expected something great. Instead we got average food. Not really sure you can call this Italian either. I ordered the steak ..28 bux for a tiny 6 to 8 Oz sirloin steak choice quality..they should be ashamed to serve sirloin, what is this Sizzler..if you are going to charge 28 bux for a tiny steak at least serve a rib eye , skirt, strip etc and not some cheap 3 dollar piece of choice sirloin. The bread they serve is similar to what you might get at your local high school cafeteria. Only reason I gave it two stars and not one is because the service was good and owner seemed pleasant.
(2)Leah T.
Great hidden spot. Food wonderful. Staff great. Tapa style. Soo yummy. But place is always sweaty hot
(4)Oscar L.
Fabulous!!! Home town feel, excellent food and service. Home made dessert Don't let the exterior and location keep you from experiencing this very charming restaurant. Finally!!
(5)Edward N.
We got off to a good start by selecting a very good Malbec that was also reasonably priced. We then ordered 3 smaller sized portion entrées (the artichoke ravioli, the lamb chops and the steak), which were wonderful recommendations by our waiter and the perfect size for my wife and I. Then upon being enticed by the dessert menu, we topped it off with pumpkin bread pudding and some delicious hazelnut gelato, which was a hit.
(4)George S.
The food was good quality and well prepared. The service was decent, but uninspired. The portions were such, that you would need to order your own appetizer, main course and a dessert, or be a 90 lb. jockey, or a runway model to be satiated with a dish. My tiny 14 year old granddaughter ate her way through a half, then a full order of plain spaghetti with grated Parmesan cheese for a total of $22.00. I don't understand how other reviewers consider a half portion adequate. One would imagine, that with these prices and portion sizes, the food could be presented on something other than old and cracked plates and that the napkins could be more than pieces of remnant fabric. A placemat or tablecloth might also improve the experience. Bill for seven without alcohol was $270 including tax and automatic gratuity. In spite of the tasty food, there was no there there.
(3)Neil R.
Wonderful, authentic Italian food that I would normally not expect to find in southern Florida. I have tried the artichokes and fried calamari as appetizers, the gnocchi in short rib sauce and Papadelli with veal Ragu and found every dish exceptional. For a main course, I highly suggest the diver scallops. Service was quite good and I expect that I will be eating here many more times. My only concern is that the parmigiano that they use seems to be subpar. I'm not expecting to be served the best cheese but I was not impressed by the taste of the Grana that they are using. It seems to be a shame that such wonderfully prepared food is finished off with a with a cheese that doesn't taste better.
(4)Greg N.
Very cool little cafe with great ambiance. Very friendly owner and staff. It's a little hard to find set back in the interior of a strip mall but your persistence will be worth it! Delicious, healthy cuisine - I had their specials, a creamy carrot almond walnut soup and seared swordfish with bok choy, quinoa and orange basil saffron sauce. Heavenly. They work with local fisherman to secure their daily catch so the swordfish was very fresh. Topped everything off with their walnut bread pudding with hazelnut gelatin. . . Drooling yet?
(4)Nat G.
Love this place!! Great food and amazing service! The location is not the best but once you are there you forget all about it. Home made pasta, great schnitzel, and delicious fish options. Totally recommend it!
(4)Carolina S.
What a great find! This is the perfect place for a quiet, romantic dinner. If you go in the cooler months, definitely try to get a table outdoors. The service is really good and the food is delicious! Do try the scallops- I think they are the best item on the menu. If you are a dessert lover, the gelato won't disappoint.
(5)Aaron K.
Great little restaurant. Excellent food but being from NY I've always found it weird to eat in the back of a strip mall. But the food was great and the service was good. What more can you ask for.
(4)Food F.
This is one of my favorite new places. (been here 4 times this last month). Great food and an amazing wine selection at very reasonable prices and a great atmosphere. Very cozy and relaxed inside, and a courtyard feel out front. Its always a little bit on the busy side, so maybe call ahead for reservations. That is, If you can find it, but that is one of the things that i really like about the place. Michael - the owner is a great host and the wait staff is relaxed and courteous. Order multiple half portions and share, rather than each person getting their own. I will definitely be back for more. 5 Stars - Love It !
(5)Marina L.
Fantastic place with great atmosphere. Very delicious food, great and friendly service. I love coming here and can't wait to go back.
(5)Brian L.
15 words or less: Well rounded wine list, wines very reasonably priced, solid food, love half portion options. 15 words or more: Hard to find, but in a nice secluded spot. That can make for a nice outdoor event. We walked in on a Friday night. The place was very busy. You probably don't need a reservation, but I would recommend one. The owner was there and was very friendly and hospitable to accommodate us as a walk in. We were presented with the wine list and menu. The wine list very well rounded. There is a nice representation of regions and varieties. What also is nice is that you can really sample a number of wines, as they wine in small tastes or by the glass. Once you find what you like, you should have no problem ordered a bottle. This is not a three times wholesale place, which is a welcome sight. The menu has a nice assortment of choices. We shared two small plates to start. They are called small plates, but are really appetizer portions. We had the calamari and the artichoke-filled ravioli. The calamari was delicious. Not heavily breaded, and fried nicely. The Asian-inspired sauce was a really nice accompaniment. The ravioli was not my favorite. You could taste the artichoke (good) and you could taste the lemon in the cream sauce (also good) but the ravioli were tough and just not cooked right. For the entries, I had the crispy braised pork shoulder. My wife had the hanger steak. The pork was delivered exactly as promised. It was very flavorful and not dried out at all. The hangar steak was very good. We order our steaks rare and this was cooked exactly as ordered. For dessert, we tried the apple strudel with a scoop of their homemade gelato (today, they had strachiatelli in addition to four other flavors). The strudel came to the table warm, which was nice. The dessert was very good. Service was very good. They were busy, but the waiter was attentive but not intrusive, and helpful with suggestions. This is a nice find of a place. This is a perfect weekday and Friday kind of place as it offers solid food and very reasonably priced, but high quality, wine.
(4)Michael R.
Everything as expected very reasonable. With the dishes that were ordered, delivered quickly and cooked to perfection. I was very happy. I would like to mention that the ice cream uses real egg custard ( vanilla ), so it's crazy tasty, but I am on a diet so I only enjoyed a tiny sample. OMG was it wunderful
(4)David C.
In Florida, you can't judge a restaurant by its strip mall... and Il Mercato is solid. This place is buried in a boring strip mall, but the food is creative, fresh and worth a second trip. This is one of the few places, where the understated strip mall makes the place like a little oasis. We started with a Jayson wine... And then followed with another 2 bottles that were cheaper. So this is what I remember I ate...We were a table of 4 and shared aps and entrees. Beet salad- fresh and a good mix of cheese and veg Antipasti- great selection of cheese, veg and meat Gnocci and pulled pork- nice sized serving, really tasty Bruschett, humus, tampenade and Bridgette- so right Hangar steak- perfectly cooked Snittzzel- chicken was great and nice sides. The bill was super cheap for 4, especially since we killed 3 bottles of great wine.
(4)Sandy W.
This is one of my favorite places. Quaint and the true neighborhood feel. Very friendly staff and bartenders. This past Friday we started off with the grilled baby artichokes. Very fresh and full of flavor. My friend had the special carrot and ginger soup, which was also very good. I ordered for the main course, the special of the evening, which was the pan seared mahi mahi with mashed potatoes and broccolini. The fish was cooked perfectly and served with chopped tomatoes and capers. My friend ordered the lasagna. I think that was the best lasagna I have ever tasted. You have to had their homemade gelato. We had the hazelnut. OMG it was out of this world! Great wine selection and if you are not familar with the wine list just ask them for a suggestion. I had a wine there I have never tried before and it was wonderful. The only negative thing to say is you should make a reservation a couple of days in advance unless you want to eat after 9PM. This place is popular.
(5)Carolina M.
Good italian fare and ok setting. Its a a strip mall so that is a put off for me usually. However, for Hallandale is a good surprise ( not know of very good places to eat there). Small and intimate, i had the roasted beet salad with goat cheese which was yummy. and for the entree i had the artichoke filled ravioli. I order the half portion which was minimal, so go ahead and order the full. It was good but maybe a little to al-dente for my taste. For dessert i had the panacota which was good. Overall good service and good experience. Would try it again.
(4)Erin D.
Sitting in the restaurant now. Usually love this place but not tonight! Ordered a full order of the chicken schnitzel. Got 1 small, very thinly pounded piece of chicken. Usually get 2 pieces. There is even a picture of a 1/2 order on this page showing exactly what was served to me tonight. I am actually still hungry. Was told by the putzy manager that the owner/chef "did not care" and she would "yell" if we asked her to come out of the kitchen. Not nice Il Mercato.
(1)Lindsey A.
I was staying overnight in Hollywood alone on a Wednesday night work trip, and decided to venture out for local fare instead of eating at the hotel. I was looking for something simple and close to the strip, and this place had such overwhelmingly positive reviews, I just had to try. The service was personable and I wanted for nothing. I attempt to eat paleo, so I started with the grilled artichoke salad, against all the other non-paleo suggestions by the gracious waiter, but they had nothing to hide. Absolutely delicious and grilled to a T. I had a really hard time deciding on the main course, but selected the lamb and tried it with the Meritage blend (sorry, the wine is not paleo!) on the menu - absolutely stellar. By the time dessert came around, I was friendly enough with the waiter and charismatic manager, Michaela, to order a custom dessert. They kept me around chatting and sipping wine until close. Truthfully, I wasn't looking for a place as expensive, but it's well worth it for the service & delicious food. If ever in Hollywood again, you bet I'll be back to Il Mercato!
(5)Mindy G.
You MUST try the brie appetizer, it was amazing! We came here after reading the yelp reviews. It was a Tuesday night and the place had no tables inside so you may want to make a reservation for any night of the week. My friend and I both ordered pasta dishes. Tasty but too saucy for me - I don't typically like alfredo type sauces. Would probably return and try some of the fish half portions. We had chocolate cake for dessert - yum!
(4)Mireille C.
Gave this restaurant an other try, because it is just across the street where I live. Both of us had scallops. Mine were o.k. But my friend's were raw in the middle. Had a creme brulee and sent it back, it had the consistency of scrambled eggs. Was extremely expensive too. Won't go back.
(1)Rick G.
This was a nice surprise! A friend suggested the place and it isn't easy to find. It is hidden on the East side of the Publix grocery store. You can't even see it until you get out of your car and walk over. The food is amazing and the wines are very reasonably priced. The salmon I had was fantastic and others had impressive looking salads. One salad had chic peas cooked in a way that I've never seen before. They were slightly crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. I will be back here many more times in the near future.
(5)Harm A.
This place is a hidden gem in Hallandale (almost literally, as it is located in the breezeway of an obscure strip-mall.) My wife and I have been there many times and the food and service is impeccable. The spätzel is addictive and the hanger steak to die for. We even had our rehearsal dinner there. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The wine list is impressive. Just go there!
(5)Kari B.
Excellent food and service. The wine could be more interesting by the glass but the bottle list is extensive. The atmosphere outside where I sat was nice although neon signage makes it feel like a strip mall. I would totally recommend this place to anyone. Talked to locals who come here all the time saying the menu changes and it is always great.
(5)Marcus D.
Interesting little hole in the wall, very non-descript, literally tucked away in the back of a strip-mall. Food was excellent. Do not be turned off by the bland location. The patio area is tastefully decorated, hung with lights, and the restaurant interior is kind of rustic. Waitstaff was friendly.
(4)Sheri R.
Excellent restaurant. We stumbled in with no experience here, and Ali took exceptional care of us. We had the mussels which were really really good, I have the large portion of scallops with risotto and my husband had gnocchi with short rib ragu. The whole atmosphere was neighborhood cozy friendly, family, efficient, just very warm and the food was really quite good. We will definitely be back, and we would recommend it to anyone. Dinner for two with an appetizer, a couple entrées a dessert that we split (PS try the gelato) coffee and two glasses Of wine apiece came to about $150
(5)Helene S.
Went last night with my husband for my birthday dinner. We live close by and always heard great things about this place, we decided to give it a try. It was AWESOME! I had the gnocchi with short rib rague, my husband had the lamb chops. Service was just as awesome as the food. Beatrice was our server. I know we'll be back!
(5)Pablo H.
Great place! hidden gem! very nice food.....
(4)Natalia M.
Food wad great but service wasn't. We were got any bread although the tables around us did. Also we ordered a beer which never made it to our table either. Lack of service took a whole star off.
(4)Stacie B.
Let's keep this simple... Awesome food Cool chic chef Fantastic staff (family) We won't stop going there.
(5)Vanessa V.
So, they have no sign, no street frontage, and are in a strip mall next to Publix. Sounds like a good combination for a quaint wine bar, huh? It looks like they opened recently so I can give it some time... but right now I don't think it's as good as it could be. The gnocci tasted fresh but the sauce wasn't amazing and it could have used a little something extra. The bruschetta was totally forgettable. The hummus had some interesting flavors, though... kind of indian-inspired. But the crostini bread was just kind of stale and cold, which killed it for me. A near miss, but I think they're trying so we'll be back.
(3)Mike B.
Great food and wine! Small, quaint...7 tables inside and 7 outside. Lots of great dishes, and most have half portion options. I love the ability to have a half portion as a first course, and then another for my main meal. Or often just the half portion is perfect...I'll take quality over quantity any day. Wines are great and a good value. Usually they have a great house wine special too. One beer on tap that rotates so you get something interesting (plus some bottles). Family owned and run...it's worth a visit!
(5)Maya G.
Great find! I heard a new restaurant opened in Hallandale so we decided to give it a try. It is definitely a hidden gem- it is very small, very few tables and very reasonably priced. They offer half portions which is great b/c it stops me from being a fatty. Also, their lamb chop appetizer was a definite win. Unfortunately, it is located next door to my least favorite Publix on the planet, but hopefully that doesn't stop be from future visits.
(4)Eddie B.
The food and service here is wonderful. I ordered the gnocchi with braised short ribs and it was excellent The pumpkin bread pudding was the icing on the cake here. Too bad I don't live around here. I'll be back.
(5)Moises W.
OK for Hallandale, you cant not give this a top rating. This place is fresh, friendly, and hip. The food and service is excellent and the dining experience is all together an A+. Don't get fooled by the 1/2 portions that is either for sharing or the starving! As for nearby dining to aventura, this just climbed up to the top of my list. Dont Miss it!
(5)Ashlee M.
I'm not really sure how to rate this place... I came in for a Friday night dinner for 1. I immediately took what appeared to be the last available seat at the bar next to another pleasant and sociable woman that was also dining alone. Erica the bartender gave me a taste of the only Sauvingnon Blanc on the menu ( fortunately from NZ but obviously had been open for a bit). She seemed to have caught my drift and changed me out for a nice Austrian white (can't recall the name but she wrote it down, I'll have to rummage my purse). Ever so perceptive Erica overheard my recommendation seeking from my bar- neighbor ( that I'm a pescatarian) and instead of bothering me with a barrage of specials, informed me of the only one that mattered to me: the stone crab risotto. I was excited to learn that they offer half portions and ordered accordingly. Erica brought over some fresh warm bread while I waited... Then my barbie doll sized dinner arrived :( Don't order the half portions, lesson learned. It was tasty ( save an exceptionally large piece of shell that was a careful bite away from a lawsuit). I was annoyed about the sad size of the dinner portion until Ali ( or was it Ari... He was about the 4th or 5th member of the very nice wait staff to stop by and say hi... Nice bunch of folks) recommended the strawberry rhubarb tart with peanut butter gelato. That's something I would never voluntarily order but I said ( and I quote) "surprise me", so that's what I got. It was delicious and I had plenty of room to clean the plate since the dinner was ( sadly) small. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner but perhaps everything shouldn't be offered in a half portion. It was tasty but I felt slighted.
(4)Grant B.
Just came back from yet another delightful dining night out at Il Mercato. We usually get what they have on special, tonight it was grilled shrimp, cheese grits, tomato & pepper coulis & salsa verde. The cheese grits were so light and fluffy! We also had the carbonara and a field greens salad with lightly fried squid and calamari. Yummo as always! Thanks Mike!
(5)Frenchy M.
I go back to this gem as often as I can, and that means driving from South BEach to it!!! I love this place, it is unpretentious and lowe key, no snobs around- Usually get the special of the day . I would recommend it to anyone, fresh food, not overpriced.
(5)Sean D.
Sat at the bar with my wife. Very good service. Recommended the homemade tagliatelli and it was excellent. Nice bottle of wine. Gelato was excellent too - had a scoop of the chocolate; the bartender also gave us a taste of the coconut and it was excellent. The restaurant is in a very out of the way part of a random strip mall, but is otherwise very charming.
(4)Shari R.
I am not sure if I reveiwed this before but this is one of the best neighborhood restaurants I have tried in a very long time. It is a husband and wife team - she (chef Emily Lynch) cooks, he (Mike Lynch) is GM and sommelier. The restaurant is nestled into an alcove next to the Publix on Hallandale Beach Blvd. so it is like a best kept secret - you don't know until you know. And once you do know, it's addictive. I have been there at least 4 times since it opened a month ago. Chef Emily is of German and Italian decent and her food (which is super delish) truly reflects that style of cuisine. She offers lots of little plates, sides, salads, as well as full and half portion entrees (which are so reasonably priced, it makes you want to try as many dishes as you can fit into your belly! With Mike's love of wine, there is a huge collection of reasonable (all under $99) and amazing wine selections to pair with the food. He also gets "rare" wine finds for those who are really into imbibing. Just ask - they don't advertise these. So far, I have had the Porchetta, a lovey (and well sized) piece of pork style pork shoulder over soft polenta, with grilled greens ($8/16); pork belly; Grilled shrimp, mango gazpacho salsa, avocado; a perfect Hangar steak, Polenta fitters (a bowl full for $4); Gnocchi with short rib ragu, Gaspacho, pareasean Truffle fries and Tagliatelle Bologenese. Yes, I ate with others so we all tasted everything. Seriously, one was better than the next. Chef makes it all from scratch, the plave seats no more than 35 people (so I totally recommend reservations) or eat at the 10-seat bar. The service is warm - you feel like family. Mike is an awesome host. He remembers you. It the typr of place you want to go for lunch (they make killer panini's for under $10) and back for dinner. It is casual, unpretensious, warm and delicious. Meus change continually. I hate to compare but I do not believe that Michael's Genuine has anything on Il Mercato.
(5)Lowell J.
At the request of the owner I am hereby submitting a not so stellar review of Il Mercato. In hopes of them having one or too slow days rather than the crazy rush everyday that it's become in the short time they've been open First I'll start by saying I really love this little place but I did go there 1/7/10 and ordered the salmon (off the regular menu) and the grouper (a special) and both had really soggy skin which is odd because I know these guys love crispy fish skin as much (or more) than I do...so it was clearly an error. Also had the braciola with spaghetti (also a special) and the pasta was just a tad too al dente (need just a few seconds more in the water) and the bracoila had a very weird chemically aftertaste (never had it before maybe that's normal?). So a couple of execution errors, not unforgivable, but real and need to be addressed... For dessert my companion and I had scoop of chocolate gelato and a scoop of coconut gelato (the coconut was amazing), a chocolate pudding (a special) and creme brule and all were very very good. The highlight of this place is the personal service which since they were slammed was a bit strained. We waited for a very long time for all of our food and the fish and the bracoila were disappointing. That being said we were able to enjoy a great Piedmont nebbiolo while we waited and when were done with that a spectacular Portuguese red wine called Quinta da Carolina with and after our dinner with our dessert. So great place but give them a break and don't go so much ;-) Hope this helps
(3)Deanna D.
Although it just opened last week, I have eaten here for dinner and for lunch. This inviting little place is the perfect atmosphere for friends, alone, or a date in the evenings. The lighting is nice and tables well spaced. The food is phenomenal and the wine was well paired with each tapas dish. You can chose full size or half size plates on the dinner menu. It's well worth a trip. They make their own gelato and also have pastries if you prefer a nicer place than Starbucks to hang out, read, and have pastries and coffee. For dinner I had the arugula & fennel salad paired with a nice Austrian white. The citrus dressing was delicious and light. I also had the spaghetti with pancetta, English peas, shallots, egg yolk, & Parmesan. This dish was phenomenal! Let's just say I did not bring home any leftovers. I went back for lunch another day and had a perfectly made burger with caramelized onions. During the day, they place is friendly and casual, which made it a good place for me to study for several hours along the bar against the window. I had a lightly frozen espresso with a dollop of whipped cream on top and the homemade vanilla bean gelato. There is an outside table, which is well shaded. I am impressed by this place because everything on the menu so far has been delicious. The owners and wait staff are friendly and the place is inviting even to those new to the wine scene. It is classy in this sense without the stuffiness of some wine bars. Another perk is that because it is located in the Publix shopping center, parking is never a problem. It is tucked into the complex so that once you are in the restaurant, you don't notice the suburbia surrounding it. This place is exactly what this area needed!
(5)Mike M.
I went there with my daughter for dinner one night. The owner was one of the people that served us. He is very pleasant and was also extremely nice to my daughter. It's true that that place is not visible from the street and also sandwiched between the Publix in Hallandale and the strip center. The owner was saying that the Hangar steak is the best thing on the menu so I decided to try it. My daughter had some sort of pasta. The steak was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was awesome because after all hangar steak isn't a good cut of meat anyway; it's one of the worst cuts of meat, in my opinion. It's like comparing a skirt steak to a filet. Anyway it wasn't bad, it was a bit chewy and tough but definitely flavorful; again it's not the restaurants fault that the steak was tough; it's just that cut of meat. The restaurant must definitely read these reviews since I have noticed some reviews are from people that gave them a 5 star ratings that are associated with the restaurant. So my suggestion would be instead of hangar, maybe server a better cut of meat. I give this place a solid 3 stars. (for a 5 star review this place has to be out of this world and am surprised at the amount of 5 star reviews it has received; one person claims to drive out of their way from South Beach to come here!!! Really? To each their own I guess.
(3)Dana A.
We ended up here as last minute choice for what turned out to be a favorite meal during our week in the Fort Lauderdalegulfstream area. When we walked in we were asked if a reservation, and unfortunately the answer was no. Despite being booked full, the host/sommelier found a way to fit my wife & I. In conversations w the bartender and waiters, you could tell these guys all have a passion for the food & wines they serve. Also great was the option of half-glasses of wine & half-size entrees that allowed us to craft our own version of a tasting menu. Everything we had was wonderful. Highlights we're the beet salad, the scallops, and the best tiramisu I've ever had. Overall a fantastic choice that I highly recommend. Wish they had this place near where I live because we'd be back frequently!
(5)ted C.
Love this place. Would go every time I am in town. Order half orders and share it all. What a great meal. The chef is amazing the food is out of this world. Don't let the strip mall trip you up at all. This woman can cook and it is worth your time and money to stop in and eat here.
(5)Helena F.
Advice: make reservations, with only 7 tables and little bar, they get busy. Now on to review. Cute little place. I think very romantic (doesn't look like it from the outside, but inside it's lovely, brick walls with corks inside them). Food is fresh and very flavorful. Very good selection of wine. The staff is so nice and friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Glenn T.
Love Yelp - no way I would have found or gone into this place if I didn't see it here. Short story; great food and service, reasonable prices. My wife thought the scallops were some of the best she's ever had and everything we had was wonderful with attentive service. Highest priced dish was $23 (the special; grilled Mahi Mahi with quinoa salad, green beans and saffron sauce) with most dishes much less expensive. We're visiting and already made reservations to go back before we leave!
(5)Wendy L.
This is a neighborhood gem that has it all. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. It's super quaint and a place you want to go to at least once a week. I love it. Michael and his wife have created an awesome bistro with a great wine selection.
(5)Gals S.
Went there for dinner last night for the first time with friends and we were alll very impressed.Everything we ordered was special and delicious.It was a great European Bisto,very different from your average restaurant.Best part was it's 1mile from where we live.
(4)Gran L.
This place is a great little neighborhood place. The wine list is excellent and totally reasonable. The food is good sometimes very good. Il Mercato puts a smile on my face.
(4)xenia r.
Singularly best Italian food EVER! I never tasted anything like Emily's pork bellies and Scallops before. Amazing wine list, Grand! There are just no words for this Five Star dining in a low key environment, super nice waiters and super affordable. I think they have a great future in the "haute cuisine"... not a real surprise considering the Chef learned and the New York Culinary Institute... WOW, this was not just a dinner, it was a culinary experience!
(5)Sam S.
Very enjoyable, what a gem! Great atmosphere, owner was friendly and service was relatively prompt on a busy night. Really recommend the calimari and especially the scallops+risotto...
(4)Karina R.
After reading great reviews and taking a look at the menu online, I was really looking forward to eating at Il Mercato. My parents and I agree that we have mixed feelings about returning. For starters, the cafe is adorable. It's cozy, quaint, and inviting. Kudos to the folks who put the concept together. The menu is creative and interesting and for the most part, everything we ordered was pretty good. There are a couple things we didn't like, but they are minor things that could easily be improved. We would highly recommend the cheese plate, it was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, the service was awful. It was awhile before we were acknowledged at the door, for starters. The place was busy, but there was only one server with a runner who didn't seem particularly helpful or hospitable. Shortly after we were seated, we wound up being the only table seated outside, so I believe that we were forgotten out there on several occasions. When we requested more bread for our cheese platter, 6 or 7 minutes went by and we were still waiting while our server (the one and only server) was chatting with someone at the bar. She was surprised that the runner never came out with the bread. In fact, all the food and beverages took a long time to arrive throughout the evening, but I'm guessing the kitchen was pretty backed up. When our main courses finally arrived, nobody ever came out to check on us or ask if we needed anything. There were a couple of other things that we observed, but I'll contact management directly to inform them. Overall, Il Mercato has potential, but I expect much better service at a place that cost me over $100 for a party of three. We would have loved to try one of the chef's homemade desserts, but we were so ticked off by the end of the meal that we didn't want to stick around and be ignored.
(2)Darius M.
Ok... i have taken a long hiatus from writing reviews, mostly because in my travels, I have not found something worthy of a review. Well that has changed. Il Mercato was astounding! The people alone are worth 4 stars and the food was spectacular... and I didn't have a main course! Had the antipasti plate, and while the meats and cheeses were excellent ...ok, the goat cheese was amazing, but on the plate was fire roasted bok choi, in addition to some other pickled veggies...blew my mind. Next came a burrata salad with tomato and arugula. Seems simple enough, but they get their burrata from Italy. Un... friggin... believable! Tomato was extraordinary, and in the arugula, they had some calamata olives that added just the right amount of saltiness. Perfect salad. Great wine selection (I had a NZ sauv blanc) that I had not had before and was beautiful. Staff was more than great... definitely my new place in S. FL!!!
(5)David M.
This new restaurant is a stellar find. Don't let it's off the beaten path location fool you, the food is excellent and the staff is extremely friendly. They offer most dishes in half or whole portions, which I love because you can order multiple half dishes and really get to experience the menu for a very affordable price.
(5)Ana S.
A new little jewel in Hallandale. Il Mercato opened last week with a temporary menu for lunch and breakfast. We went there for lunch both days they were opened. It was so good we just had to come back. I had the Wilted Spinach salad with scallions, bacon and fried egg ($6) both days. Absolutely amazing. The spinach was fresh and perfectly seasoned. The pairing with the egg and bacon was just a great match. My wife had the Blackened Chicken sandwich ($7) the first day and the Trumpets (pasta) with grilled chicken, asparagus, snow peas and parmesan ($8). They were both delicious. Il Mercato also has a wide selection of superb wines, very reasonably priced like everything in their menu. They also serve Lavazza coffee and homemade gelato in flavors like Greek yogurt with honey. The owners, Emily and Michael Lynch make you feel at home right away and have spared no details to make the place feel like the real neighborhood joint you want to keep coming back to. The decoration is casual and traditional with a European flair and the ambient is very casual and homey. The restaurant is on Hallandale Beach, tucked on the alley just east of Publix. If you are looking for good, fresh and simple food, very reasonably priced, the trip to Il Mercato is definitely worth it.
(5)Cathy H.
We ate here just a couple of nights ago. There were 10 of us in our party which is quite a large party for this restaurant because it is rather small, although, that doesn't mean it's uncomfortable, because it was very comfortable. My husband read a write-up about it in the Sun Sentinel so we decided to give it a try. The menu is very succint - one page of some very interesting options. This is not your typical fare and this is not an italian restaurant, so do not let the name fool you. Although they do have raviolis, but not the typical ones that you get at most italian places. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy and hip. The wait staff is very efficient. For starters we had the calamari - delcicous! I ordered the chicken schnitzel w/mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, and lingenberry sauce. For dessert I had the lemon rosemary creme brulee. YUM! This is NO chain restaurant so be prepared to enjoy. The prices are typical, but the food is not! However, be warned, if your idea of a good meal is chicken nuggets, a hamburger, lasagna, chicken wings, etc., forget it because none of that is here. We'll be back!
(5)Sabrina L.
This is easily my favorite local (Aventura/Hallandale) restaurant. I've never had a bad experience here, everything is so delicious. The chickpea salad + hanger steak + pot de creme = heaven :) Friendly staff, nice atmosphere and most importantly, amazing food. You wouldn't have the faintest idea how great this place is based upon the location...but if you don't try it, you are seriously missing out!
(5)Kelly F.
I am local to Hallandale and heard great things about the restaurant. I was blown away by the food but not the service. I found the waiter cold and standoffish. However the food drew me back again. This time we had a different waiter with the same bad attitude! Amazingly, we returned a third time. This time the food runner dropped the food all over my husband and I, the plate broke and our dinner went everywhere. Instead of apologizing the staff basically ignored the situation until my husband pressed them. Seriously, we sat there with food all over and broken glass on the floor and no one came to clean until my husband called someone over. We asked our super rude waiter for the manager and he said, "I'm the manager." The "manager" started arguing with my husband, my mother, and myself. It was really strange. Accidents happen and I understand that, but the restaurant failed to handle the situation properly. This last experience paired with the multiple rude waiters finally did it for us. We will not be returning. I don't think the food is worth the snotty rude attitude.
(2)Provi C.
After reading about II Mercato in yelp, my sister and I gave it a try. When we arrived we were greeted by an empty restaurant yet were given the option to be seated outside because the inside was being held for reservations. We stayed and thus began the heart break that my experience at II Mercato was. The service was painfully slow and inattentive. After placing our order, our table was given very little to no attention. We ordered the calamari as a small plate and it was a thing of beauty. I wanted to cry. After having to literally beg for bread, which was not offered, I really wanted to cry. It was amazing. My heart break deepened. After about an hour or more our entries finally arrived. I had the gnocchi and my sister the schnitzel. I am convinced that the chef is an angel. The food was probably some of the most inspired food I have had in a long time, however the poorly run front end of the restaurant left a sour taste in my mouth.
(2)Danny G.
we saw a review on local tv and decided to try. great surprise, very good food, fresh, small bistro type but comfortable, good friendly service. great calamari appetizer, very good lamb chops, roast beet salad, yum. we'll go again to try other dishes. the 1/2 orders give u opportunity to try more dishes and they are quite enough for a main dish if u choose to also order an appetizer. very good apple schtrudel mit schlag! d.s. gordon
(4)