Scope the menu for Bar Mercado, opening in Krog Street Market

Castellucci Restaurant Group’s new Spanish tapas spot replaces the Cockentrice
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Squid with sautéed ribbons, chives, esplette, gremolata, and shellfish stock

Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

As the family behind the Iberian Pig and Cooks & Soldiers, the Castelluccis certainly know their Spanish cuisine. So it’s only natural that their new restaurant, Bar Mercado, focuses on tapas from multiple regions of Spain. Replacing the Cockentrice in Krog Street Market, it will open June 26, with a market stall to follow in the fall. [Update 9/12/17: After a delay, Bar Mercado will open for dinner service on September 14. Market stall Recess is still set to follow in late fall.]

The name Bar Mercado translates to “market bar” and is inspired by Madrid’s Mercado de San Miguel, which serves a similar function to Krog Street Market—a gathering place where people eat, drink, and socialize.

“Krog Street Market is still a behemoth in terms of the number of diners eating at the market on any given week,” says Castellucci Restaurant Group co-owner Fred Castellucci. “The offerings in the market that resonate with the diners succeed on a dramatic scale. The goal is to be one of those offerings.”

Pork cheek and golden raisin empanadas with dough made in-house

Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

Piquillo peppers

Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

He says Bar Mercado will be more casual than most of his other restaurants, similar in style to Double Zero, where people can drop in and enjoy a bite and a glass of wine. Co-owner John Castellucci will be the chef de cuisine, serving items like pork cheek and golden raisin empanadas, albondigas (beef meatballs with mushroom and purple kale), and pulpo a la gallega (braised octopus with potato and pimento). Drink offerings include Spanish wine and “straightforward” cocktails.

Check out the menu below (tap images to enlarge)

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