Though it’s under the same ownership as the neighboring Le Café Cent-Dix, Mercato Bar & Kitchen offers an entirely different dining experience. The décor is cozy and rustic with wood accents, warm tones and soft lighting, and the menu possesses an Italian flare, with a fresh and thoughtful take on distinctive Mediterranean ingredients such as sausage, pancetta and parmigiano. Pair your meal with a glass of hand-selected red, white or sparkling wine, or opt for an artisanal cocktail made with a wide variety of fresh produce, herbs and spices.

For European-inspired elegance, there's Mercato Bar & Kitchen (108 N. Aurora St., Ithaca; mercatobarandkitchen.com), which offers Italian-inspired meals that change seasonally. Its sister restaurant next door, Le Cafe Cent-Dix (110 N. Aurora St., Ithaca; lecafecentdix.com), is often compared to New York City's Balthazar. If you don't want to commit to a full entrée, Just a Taste (116 N. Aurora St., Ithaca; (607) 277-9463) has been doing consistently top-notch Spanish-style tapas for years and has an eclectic wine list.

That’s because this family run, Italian restaurant has been in business since 2010 and has quickly become a crowd favorite among locals and visitors alike. It’s also situated on Aurora Street’s “Restaurant Row” and is cozy place with a warm and inviting atmosphere, an open kitchen, and a great bar menu full of exceptional wines and artisanal cocktails. Now, when it comes to their food menu, it features an array of seasonal dishes that use typical Mediterranean ingredients, like pancetta and sausage, in a unique way.

Nestled in the heart of Ithaca, Mercato emerges as a captivating haven for those seeking an exceptional Italian dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the cozy ambiance infused with the aroma of seasonal dishes sets the stage for a culinary journey that’s both delightful and memorable. The chef’s dedication to quality and detail is evident in every dish, whether it’s the perfectly cooked steak accompanied by shoestring fries with a rosemary twist or the thin, crispy, and juicy pork Milanese.

Mercato’s Bar and Kitchen offers Italian inspired seasonally-conscious cuisine, a friendly professional waitstaff, and a clean urban-bistro aesthetic. Offering an upscale menu that changes seasonally, try the cured meats appetizer with a selection of meats, cheeses and olives, the fresh market fish and herbs steamed in parchment paper, or the homemade gnocchi. For dessert, Mercato recommends trying its pine nut tart drizzled with balsamic reduction and served with cappuccino-flavored gelato.

Part of the technique is time,” said Greg Norkus, chef at Mercato Bar and Kitchen on North Aurora Street. “Rather than put a soup on the table in half an hour, most of my roux-based soups simmer for three to four hours to get the velvety texture I’m looking for. You want to simmer it long enough to lose the starchy texture of the roux.” Norkus is particularly appreciated for his Long Island clam chowder, a unique specialty from his own north shore Long Island roots.

With its bar lined with shimmering shakers, it’s not hard to tell that Mercato serves its fair share of cocktails. Pair that with the many liqueurs, scotches, gins and other spirits that line the bar’s far wall, and it becomes clear: Drinkers have plenty to enjoy once they take a seat at the restaurant’s lengthy wood bar. Ask bartender Manny Flores where to start on the menu, however, and he’ll whip up the Gem, a bourbon-spiked take on the classic sour.

Established in 2010, Mercato is a family owned and operated restaurant -- and local favorite. A key component of Aurora street's "Restaurant Row" near The Commons, Mercato offers a seasonal menu unique cocktails and a well-developed list of Italian wines. Specialties on the menu include Mint Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu, Pasture Raised Veal Chop and Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops.

With its warm and inviting atmosphere, Mercato Bar & Kitchen is a favorite among locals seeking comfort food with an Italian twist. Their menu features classics like house-made pastas and flavorful seafood dishes. Ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, and the kitchen takes pride in using traditional cooking methods to deliver exceptional flavors.

Local Attractions: Right on the Cornell Campus are amazing opportunities to discover the local slogan-“Ithaca is Gorges.” Head to Triphammer Falls, a 55ft cascading waterfall or try one of the gorge or garden hikes at the Cornell Botanic Gardens. The one mile loop around Beebe Lake is a scenic, easy one. Want to cover more ground?

Indulge your senses at Mercato Bar & Kitchen, a culinary gem where top-notch service and delectable dishes collide. From the friendly and efficient staff to the exceptional food quality, every visit is a delightful affair. If stars were currency, this establishment would undoubtedly receive an over-the-top rating of 8 out of 5.

For dinner, Mercato serves delicious Italian-inspired, seasonal cuisine with a terrific wine list focused on Italy and the Finger Lakes. For a casual, local favorite, check out Glenwood Pines just a few minutes out of town for their famous Pinesburger. (I dare you to take the The Pinesburger Challenge.)

Side by side on restaurant row are Mercato Bar and Kitchen, offering upscale Italian-inspired cuisine, and Café Cent-Dix, featuring classic French bistro fare. Either way, you can count on an excellent, and impressive, dining experience. (We believe Café Cent-Dix has yet to reopen for 2021.)

The cozy Mercato is on Ithaca’s Restaurant Row and is a local favorite. Mercato Bar and Kitchen feature seasonal dishes that change throughout the year, highlighting Italian flavors and cooking. It is run by people who are passionate about food, and it shows in every detail.

- Rating: 4.0/5 (167 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 108 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York - Categories: Italian, Wine Bars- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: Highest paying jobs in Ithaca that require a graduate degree

• Mercato Bar & Kitchen, bustling bistro atmosphere, Northern Italian cuisine. I love Mercato but wish they’d spruce up the menu with new items every now and again.

Amazingly fresh pasta, wonderfully cooked steak, and fun crostinis. You can also ask for a custom-made drink based off your favorite spirit.” – Alexander B.

- Rating: 4.0/5 (167 reviews) - Price level: $$$ - Address: 108 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York - Categories: Italian, Wine Bars - Read more on Yelp

I had arctic char baked in parchment paper with lemon and butter while my wife had a pasta dish with a white bolognese sauce, again very nice.