It took me almost a year to go to Mercato Centrale. Oo na, kahihiyan na ako ng mga foodies! :,(

We went there after trying out Jamba Juice. Because I was still full from the smoothie and pretzel, I decided to get a light dinner–

Claude Tayag’s Pan de Bagnet and Casa Goñi’s Paella Negra.

Shempre joke lang yung light dinner. Ano ba. Ako ito. MATAKAW AKO! 😛

The Pan De Bagnet before it became a sandwich started off looking like…

and

I did not fall in love with the sandwich at first bite. It tasted bland. But when I had my second bite and heard my teeth crack the crispy pork skin and felt the perfect sourness of the vinaigrette in my mouth, I knew that the medium-sized sandwich was worth the 200php I took out of my Mighty Mouse wallet. 😀 Ang sarap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Paella Negra (85php/cup) was also delicious, but I wish I bought the Wagyu Paella instead. No choice. Sold out na eh. Between squid ink and chorizo, I’d choose the former every time. I hate chorizo. Pero in fairness, maraming bumibili ng Three-Chorizo Paella nila. 🙂

So that’s my 1st ever Mercato meal. Loved it! Now let’s talk about Joko’s and Vlad’s purchases. Kung matakaw ako, matakaw rin ang mga kaibigan ko!

Joanna Katrina bought isaw, takoyaki and fruit shake. Nag-Mercato pa siya para dito, di’ba? She argued that they got bigger, better isaw and there’s crabsticks in the takoyaki. I had nothing more to say after tasting the takoyaki. Masarap nga.

And look at this isaw. Para ngang galing sa dambuhalang baboy!

Vlad bought his dinner from a Korean stall. It’s hard to miss it because there’s a sign that says Seoul Sisters and there’s a Korean lady preparing the food. Hehe.

He said that the Korean barbecue and chapchae tasted good. Good for 99php.

Vlad’s choice of dessert was Salted Caramel Ice Cream. I think he enjoyed it because he was very quiet when he was eating. Or baka na-empacho na siya? :p

Joko also got Revel Bar, Cream Cheese Brownies and Food for the Gods— 3 for 100. I tasted all 3 and found the revel bar too sweet, the brownie was ok but I didn’t taste the cheese, the food for the gods didn’t taste like food for the gods at all but it’s delicious and my fave among the 3! 😀

In conclusion, I wish it didn’t take me that long to experience Mercato. I enjoyed my 1st ever Mercato feast and I can’t wait to go back to try all the goodies from the other stalls! But then again, the people behind Mercato is opening a night market here in Makati tomorrow! DISTRITO‘s got food, fashion, beauty and wellness products galore every Wednesday to Friday from 9pm to 3am!

I guess Distrito is the more convenient choice for a Makati girl like me. But if the anaconda in my tummy strikes again on a Saturday, I will most def go back to Mercato. 🙂

Congratulations, Mr. Anton Diaz for the smashing success of Mercato and best of luck to Distrito! Busugin niyo pa kaming lahat! Cheers!

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listening to: Gary Valenciano – Growing Up