Del Mercato

I used to love this place but not so much now. I used to think that it was really good value for money, as I normally only have pizza here which are all huge and extremely tasty. However, I recently tried other things on the menu - calamari, chicory salad, spaghetti vongole, turnip tops with chilli, green salad.

I like the presentation of the calamari which comes in a mini 'fryer basket', however the portion size was tiny (I think it was £9) and it was far too salty. I've had the radicchio salad twice - once yummy with lots of blue cheese dressing, the second time, tasteless - no dressing and no flavour at all. Turnip tops are also yummy but a tiny portion size. But none of this compares to the spaghetti - at least half the clams weren't open and the ones that were didn't taste to ANYTHING. The portion was also tiny. I had this with a green salad and I was still hungry after. So, if you go here, stick with the pizzas, which are really good value and, possibly, the best in London.

The service is consistently haphazard, but the place has a great atmosphere so this can be overlooked. As a previous reviewer said, the Italian petit fours are a nice touch at the end of the meal.
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7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, March 15, 2013

Visited the restaurant with my partner on Friday 22nd February. Found it difficult to choose from the menu as everything sounded delicious! Really enjoyed both my starter and main, as well as the small selection of anti pasti which was offered before our starter. Another nice touch was the complimentary petit fours (with an Italian twist) served with our coffee. Service was attentive and the overall meal was reasonably priced. Only slight niggle with the place was the very random selection of background music ... just didn't feel in keeping with the ambience of the place (although did provide a source of amusement)!
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 24, 2013

Excellent service and food. My fiance and I went there for a quick lunch on my break. We shared a pizza and had one glass of wine each. The pizza was very good. However, what makes this place stand out is the service. The waitress continually refilled our jugs of tap water and when perusing the menu again, we noticed something called Nduja. When we enquired as to what this was we were told it was spreadable salami and they offered us some to try, which was a very nice gesture. My fiance thought it was out of this world!

The total bill came to around £22, which isn't bad considering this is an exceptionally touristy area. I will certainly come back again!
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D - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tried Del mercato for lunck with 2 colleagues recently - thought the menu was interesting and a bit of a change from the usual italian london fare.

Started tried - fried calamari-arancini, caprese salad. All very fresh ingredients although portions not huge. Mains sampled octopus stew and veal spezzatini-with polenta. Again, excellent taste.

Desserts tried were cannoli, tiramisu-especially good cannoli.

All in all, ingredients obviously very fresh and thoughtfully prepared-service courteous. Bill came to £88 with water-byo wine at present although drinks license from tonight.

recommended-and a welcome addition to the Borough Market eating scene-also try the bakery next door.
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kevin ward
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 09, 2012