Skelmore Hospitality Group, the brand owner of Roberto’s Restaurant & Lounge, has launched new Italian dining concept, Mercato in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The homegrown brand is based on the idea of an Italian food market, with a retail space featuring cured meats, cheeses, freshly made pasta, bread and pastries, condiments and locally roasted coffee.
Chefs and a full-time artisan baker are available on-site to offer advice to customers on recipes, cooking techniques and ingredients.
The menu features regular dishes and a freshly prepared selection of daily specials, and an open kitchen allows diners to see their food being created.
Head chef Alessandro said: “Creating food at Mercato is like entertaining family and friends in my home. Every recipe is tried and tested, and is like giving everyone a piece of my Italy.
“We’ve selected only the freshest, most authentic ingredients for our dishes, and if I closed my eyes the tastes take me back to being at my nonna’s kitchen table.
“Capturing the café culture and tradition of Italy, and sharing that through food is the essence of the Mercato brand. Every recipe tells a story, and shares a different piece of Italy.”
The trattoria has been designed to have an industrial feel with raw wooden ceiling beams, coloured tiles and a communal table.
Skelmore Hospitality Group, a division of Skelmore Group, was founded in 2012 in DIFC.
The group is the owner of brands Roberto’s Restaurant & Lounge in DIFC, Urban Bistro in Media City and Mercato.
