Mercato — Restaurant in Municipality of Vari - Voula - Vouliagmeni

When location is just not enough.

I had high expectations for Mercato at the Four Seasons, given the location and the fact that it's part of the Four Seasons brand. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet those expectations.

First, we were told by the staff that Chef Maggie Tabakaki prefers "family style" dining, with dishes meant to be shared in the middle of the table. We did find this weird for a table of two with very different and distinct tastes and found ourselves struggling to figure out dishes that we'd both enjoy, so not to disappoint the chef or frowned upon by whoever took our order.

Then came the bread basket. Four pre-made bread rolls served as part of the couvert were definetely not something I expected at a restaurant of this caliber, when even local trattorias serve artisanal bread nowadays. The oil served alongside was certainly not EVOO and the tomato dip tasted like it came straight from a can. They were left aside, a total waste.

Then came the Caprese salad with 'grilled peach', which proved a huge disappointment. It was simply a burrata placed on pesto with baby arugula on top, a good amount of prosciutto on the side and a tiny piece of raw nectarine hidden among the ingredients. The grilled peach that had our mouths watering when we were ordering was nowhere to be seen. The plate was left on our table and we had to serve it ourselves, while we anticipated the waiter to offer to serve it for us. In addition, we had to serve it with our forks, since no serving cutlery was provided, trying not to spill the arugula everywhere on the table. With the - what would have been juicy, tasty, caramelised peaches - missing, the dish fell flat, bland, underwhelming, just some ingredients thrown on a plate, definitely not worth the price. We did point it out to our waiter who politely apologised and withdrew the nectarine to inform the kitchen staff but we were not offered a replacement or some other gesture of compensation.

Next came the tagliata, which arrived with no side dish. Part of the meat was so tough that we struggled to chew through it. About a quarter of it remained on the plate after we had chewed it as best as we could. Obviously, no-one from the kitchen staff had bothered to clean it off its cartilage. What a waste of 42 euros!

The crab-onara was decent and tasty, with a generous amount of crab.

The service was quick and polite, which was definitely a highlight of the evening. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save the experience and the location, while stunning, can’t make up for the overall lack of attention to detail in both the food and the atmosphere (nouveau-riche Kardashian-style people at the table next to us were loudly FaceTiming their friends from across the Atlantic during the entire dinner, further spoiling the experience).

I would suggest to chef Maggie to keep an eye on how the (quite cliche) menu she has devised is realised by her brigade every now and then. I won't be seeking her next appointment.

We paid 160 euros for a salad, a pasta, a meat dish, and 2 drinks, one being a regular g&t (not premium) and the other a simple mocktail. All in all, an over-rated restaurant, where I won’t be returning, and I...

Royal Treatment in Vouliagmeni

Went for Sunday Brunch (Pranzo dela Domenica – Italian for Sunday’s Lunch) to Mercato at Four Seasons. It turned out that the reservation via Open Table didn’t work. Had several embarrassing experiences with this reservation service. Concerning the Sunday Brunch at Mercato I didn’t like the two seatings (two hours each) concept giving not enough time to enjoy the delicacies. One may need at least three hours in order to avoid eating in a hurry. Reception and treatment by the staff were kingly. They were courteous and respectful, never loosing their sense of humour. Got to know the chef, Mrs Maggie Tampakaki, we had a small chat; she’s a very charming lady endowed with fabulous cooking skills. The hors d’oeuvre were pure subtle art: mind-blowing vitelo tonato, steamed cod with garlicky spinach and lemon, exquisite charcuterie, variations of smoked salmon; the other seafood was somewhat average. One of the most amazing dishes was Maggie’s 100-layer-lasagne: optics, scent and taste, simply divine. The other big surprise was the porchetta which contained the suckling pig’s head (and the cheeks of course). It had to be prepared several days in advance and went through a laborious cooking process. The tender and juicy meat absorbed all the herbs aroma and it felt like foam on the tongue. The buffet featured top quality beef brisket and short rib from the smoker. Although I’m not a dessert fan, I had to indulge in some specialities laid out: a superb interpretation of mille feuille, cheese cake with forest berries, pistachio eclair. A nice touch was the distribution of the tiramisù from a carriage which had been pushed beween the tables. Non-alcoholic and hot beverages were in the price included, which at 80EUR was reasonable keeping in mind the outstanding products and performance. Wines were available à la carte and insanely overpriced. Travelling to/from city center takes time and costs money but the effort is definitely highly rewarding. To sum up, it was the highlight of my stay in Athens and I wouldn’t hesitate to take this option for a Sunday afternoon into consideration should I have this...

From the moment we walked in, the entire staff, from the friendly receptionist to the attentive waitresses and waiters, runners, and floor managers, went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and welcomed. Their attention to detail and sincere warmth added an extra layer of charm to the overall atmosphere.

Equally deserving of praise is the remarkable kitchen staff, who consistently delivered an exceptional dining experience. Each dish was crafted with utmost care and precision, beautifully showcasing the vibrant flavors of Italy. The impeccable taste, exquisite presentation, and unwavering commitment to quality were evident with every delectable bite.

The level of effort invested in every aspect of our celebration was truly commendable, and it brought immense joy to my mother on her special day. Thanks to the restaurant's dedication and care, it became a birthday experience that will be cherished for years to come.

I wholeheartedly recommend Mercato to anyone in search of an extraordinary dining experience. The staff's unwavering commitment to excellence, their ability to create remarkable culinary creations, and the genuine warmth and hospitality they exude make it an outstanding choice. I’m eagerly looking forward to my return, and the opportunity to create even more treasured memories.

As we bid farewell and left the premises, my mother was already planning our next visit. This speaks volumes about the enduring positive impression the restaurant...