Wine-Country Specials: New Italian Restaurant & Market, North Bay

SANTA ROSA, CA –In the heart of downtown Santa Rosa, the doors are open at MERCATO Pasta & Produce, a blend of restaurant and Italian grocer.

Located in the Old Courthouse Square, the casual-atmosphere MERCATO, which translates to “market” in Italian and opened in late 2018, highlights wine-country extraordinaire with Italian cuisine, specialized cuisine and goods.

On the menu are lunch and dinner options, plus the storefront sells produce and products from local vendors, as well as specialty items imported from Italy, according to owners, Chandi Hospitality, a North Bay restaurant group.

“Sonoma County is home to some of the richest farm lands in North America and, as Santa Rosa residents, we know how lucky we are to enjoy incredible local foods like Early Girl tomatoes and are focused on offering as many local products as possible in our market,” said Sonu Chandi, founder and president of Chandi Hospitality.

“Wine country ethos and Italian food culture are similar in many ways, and our talented chef has found a natural synergy between our local ingredients and the vibrant flavors of Italy; guests will love dining on simple, flavorful dishes that change frequently depending on seasonal availability.”

MERCATO's menu was curated by James Beard-award finalist Niven Patel, an avid farmer and classically trained chef, who puts a Sonoma-style spin on the flavors of Italy with an emphasis on organic ingredients and traditional Italian cooking methods done "the old-fashioned way."

Handmade pastas lead the way, with fusilli and rigatoni, along with gluten-free and zucchini-noodle options, and all noodles are vegan, with the exception of the ricotta ravioli.

Guests can create their own pasta combinations by selecting from an array of topping and sauce options, or enjoy one of the “Chef’s Suggestions,” which include:

• Fettuccine + Alfredo + Grilled Chicken
• Spaghetti + Tomato Basil + Meatballs
• Fusilli + Bolognese
• Rigatoni + Basil Pesto + Grilled Rock Shrimp
• Gluten Free Fusilli + Tomato Vodka Sauce + Local Vegetables
• Zucchini Noodles + White Wine & Caper Sauce
• Ricotta Ravioli + Basil Pesto

MERCATO Pasta & Produce is at 630 3rd St. in Santa Rosa and is open Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. To view the full menu, visit www.mercatopastaandproduce.com or call (707) 523-1400.

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• Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven: A 2018 Add To Local Restaurant Scene

• Restaurant Week 2019: Guide To The Best In California

--Photo via Mercato