Tuesday 8 July 2014

Bar Mercurio Media Tasting


Tonight Teena and I were invited to a Media Tasting at Bar Mercurio to taste their new menu and to learn about their Love Our Pizza Or It’s Free” Challenge ... This challenge starts on July 9th to August 9th 2014. To accept the challenge, email me (owner Giuseppe Mercurio) a dinner reservation – if you don’t love our pizza, its complimentary!

The decor is quite nice, although this picture does not really show it well.


The highlight is a "state of the art" pizza oven which was imported from Italy and controls not only the heat but humidity. Giuseppe Mercurio explained to Teena and I that while he loves wood burning pizza ovens, very few people know how to use them properly. This oven can be adjusted to compensate for the heat, cold or humidity of the day.


Of course, we were all there to experience the new seasonal menu and when the food started coming out, we gathered around!


First up was Tonna Ahi Al Nachos, one of my favorites of the night ... Ahi tuna, crispy wantons, avocado relish, truffle aioli, cilantro pesto and a spicy Kochujang sauce. The Ahi tuna on the wanton was excellent, with a surprising burst of heat coming through moments after I swallowed. I had more than one!

 

Another favorite of mine was the Picolli Torte Di Grancchio ... Triptych of crab cakes - mango fennel sesame spaghetti garnish, saffron aioli. I am becoming a big fan of crab cakes lately.


Pizza time!

Toppings are a personal preference but I loved the crust on all the pizzas. My favorite was the Pizza Maile which featured smoked pork belly. The Pizza Gamberi in the last picture had huge tasty full shrimp on each slice.

 
 
 

I was adventurous and had the Polpo Ai Ferri ... Grilled octopus, chick peas and casava crisps. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it, although could not get myself to eat the twirly ends.


I like gnocchi and enjoyed this in a light Gorgonzola sauce. To me, Gorgonzola can be somewhat overpowering but this was very nice.


We were pampered with bubbly during the night and again with deserts. Two came out. One was a banana ice cream. I am not a banana fan so wasn't too crazy about it but Teena enjoyed it. Then came the Tiramisu. I am not a big desert eater but love Tiramisu and this was excellent!


Giuseppe was a great host. At many events like this, the owner will come around and thank everyone personally for for coming but Giuseppe made it a point of staying and talking. We talked about his business, Bar Mecurio has been around for seventeen years, his new exploration into social media, his kids and his paintings that hang in the restaurant. Yes, a restaurant and kids and yet he still has time to paint. I loved this one ... Contemporary Architecture.


It was a fun night and we were treated very well. Giuseppe is very personable and easy to talk to. I would go back again!

1 comment:

Teena in Toronto said...

Yummy pizza, ice cream and bubbly!