Fall In Love With Parisian-Inspired Mercat Bistro
Bon appetit at Mercat Bistro. Image c/o Kathy Tran
Mercat Bistro, the Parisian-inspired bistro nestled in the Harwood District, has just expanded their service to include dinner. At their invitation, my husband and I enjoyed a romantic date night and many courses last night. The only thing that almost spoiled the evening was that we were so full when we left, that it was almost painful! Award-winning Executive Chef Taylor Kearney, well-versed in French cuisine, has created a spectacular menu. Chef Kearney, who trained under many notable chefs including Charlie Palmer, Anne-Sophie Pic and Thomas Keller, worked tirelessly on perfecting Mercat Bistro’s dinner menu over the course of 2020. He says, “We hope guests feel as if they escaped to Paris and are dining streetside in the ‘City of Love’.” Highlights include fresh selections from an oyster bar; Poulet Rôti, savory French roast chicken with pommes frites, cauliflower, and white wine jus; and decadent French desserts including Clafoutis, Crème Brûlée, and Chocolate Mille-Feuille. Drinks including martinis, Mercat Bistro’s one-of-a-kind Péché Mignon, and a list of hand-selected French wines complement the new dinner experience.
PRO TIP: When trying a cuisine that you aren’t overly familiar with or a new chef-driven restaurant, be daring let the waiter make some selections for you. Case in point? A huge surprise for me was the Ricotta & Honey appetizer ($12) served with a sliced baguette, orange marmalade, & fines herbes. I can’t say that I am a huge Ricotta cheese fan and I never in a million years would have ordered this dish. It turned out to be my favorite dish of the entire meal. Mercat Bistro makes their own Ricotta onsite and it was smooth and creamy. The orange marmalade wasn’t too strong but gave the bites a nice, clean citrusy flavor. It was utterly delightful and frankly, could also be enjoyed as a light dessert. I woke up thinking about it and can’t wait to go back and have it again!
Based on our experience I give the Crisp Braised Lamb with traditional French cassoulet ($28) two thumbs way up. It’s a hearty dish that is perfect for this time of year. My husband had a Tomahawk Steak (the evening’s special served at Market Price) topped with a butter pat of some sort and a side of mashed potatoes that I swear must have had a stick of butter in them because they were so damn good! In addition to the charming main dining space, Mercat Bistro operates the Rococo Pavilion, a lovely, climate controlled space perfect for hosting executive happy hours, bridal brunches, and more steps away from the main restaurant. Our waiter told me that the building was originally a French train station that the owner fell in love with, purchased, and had it dismantled and flown over to Dallas. So you truly feel like you are in Paris when you enter the doors!
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! Mercat Bistro is located in the Harwood District at 2550 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75201, (214) 953-0917, www.mercatbistro.com