MERCATO Pasta & Produce Showcases the Best of Italy & Wine Country

Chandi Hospitality, the North Bay’s premier restaurant group known for superior taste and artful hosting, is excited to announce the opening of its new Italian concept in the heart of Downtown Santa Rosa, MERCATO Pasta & Produce. Located in the Old Courthouse Square, MERCATO marries the bounty of wine country with Italian cuisine to offer made-from-scratch dishes using products sourced primarily from Sonoma County farms and local artisans. In addition to serving affordable lunch and dinner options in a casual yet modern atmosphere, MERCATO, which means “market” in Italian, houses a storefront featuring produce and products from local vendors, as well as specialty items imported direct from Italy.

“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.”

The menu was curated by James Beard Award finalist Niven Patel, an avid farmer and classically trained chef who spent six months cooking in Florence, Italy. MERCATO’s menu delivers the bright, fresh flavors of Italy, done Sonoma style. Utilizing a farm-to-table approach with an emphasis on quality, organic ingredients and traditional Italian cooking methods, the culinary team at MERCATO prides itself on doing things the old-fashioned way. Handmade pastas lead the way, with a variety of shapes like fusilli and rigatoni, along with gluten-free and zucchini noodle options. All noodles are vegan, with the exception of the ricotta ravioli. Guests can choose to 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

All goods sold in the market are thoughtfully selected from local farms and vendors throughout Sonoma County and surrounding areas, with the exception of some amazing Italian imports. Market offerings have been curated by MERCATO’S director of retail, David Asher, who has been exposed to the finest foods in Italy during the many years he worked as a fashion merchandiser for Giorgio Armani. From fashion to farm stands, Asher has a taste for quality and luxury that is reflected in each and every item offered at MERCATO. “We are proud to bring together the best of the best produce and products all under one roof, making it easy for locals and visitors alike to piece together a gourmet picnic basket for a day of wine tasting, or shop the necessities for an amazing home-cooked meal,” said Asher.

Downtown Santa Rosa residents will enjoy the accessibility of MERCATO as the only grocer within walking distance. During the Spring and Summer months, MERCATO will open an outdoor farm stand to showcase seasonal produce at its peak.

MERCATO Pasta & Produce is located at 630 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 and is open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and closed on Monday and Tuesday. To view the full menu and learn more, please visit www.mercatopastaandproduce.com or call (707) 523-1400.

Mercato Pasta & Produce: a restaurant and market in Downtown Santa Rosa serving handmade pastas and selling fresh local produce & products

About MERCATO Pasta & Produce

Located in the Old Courthouse Square in the heart of Downtown Santa Rosa, MERCATO Pasta & Produce is a neighborhood restaurant and market that marries the abundance of Sonoma County with the bright, fresh flavors of Italian cuisine. Utilizing a farm-to-table approach with an emphasis on quality, organic ingredients, the culinary team at MERCATO prides itself on doing things the old-fashioned way. The menu is simple, with handmade pasta and sauces at the forefront in addition to a selection of snacks and desserts, all made with local organic produce, products and traditional Italian cooking methods. All goods sold in the market are curated from local farms and vendors throughout Sonoma County and surrounding areas, with the exception of a few standout products imported from Italy; a sidewalk farm stand is open on a seasonal basis. Owned by Chandi Hospitality Group, MERCATO’s mission is to support the local economy and bring together the Santa Rosa community by serving great food made using the high quality, locally sourced ingredients that Sonoma County residents appreciate and love. For more information, visit www.mercatopastaandproduce.com.

About Chandi Hospitality

Founded in 2007, Chandi Hospitality is the North Bay’s premier, family-owned restaurant group known for superior taste and artful hosting. The group has been instrumental in the rise of Downtown Santa Rosa’s dining scene, where it has facilitated development of new restaurant concepts and opened several concepts of its own including Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven, Beer Baron, Stout Brothers Irish Pub & Restaurant and Mercato Pasta & Produce. In addition to building high-end restaurants from the ground up, Chandi Hospitality has helped grow and innovate franchises, and currently serves as the development agent for Mountain Mike’s Pizza for the North Bay region. For more information, visit www.chandihospitality.com.