Text Size:
A|
A|
A
Email
PrintSo, word is, there's something going on in town today. Munch isn't sure. The bag on the head limits the peripheral vision to such things. Something about a summit to be exact, so it probably has to do with hiking or skiing. The G-20, you say? Sounds like a bingo call to Munch.
Whatever it is, it has garnered quite the fawning headlines around the world for our fair city. President Obama himself touted Pittsburgh's rise from rust-belt ashes, and that story line has been embraced by outlets from the London-based Economist, to the Washington Post, to Indonesian television, to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, which proclaimed "Pittsburgh, città del futuro," -- "Pittsburgh, city of the future."
We've become media darlings n'at.
But it's truly mere coincidence that Munch recently visited a very, very small byproduct of that kind of urban core reinvestment at Il Mercato in the Strip District. It is a part of the Cork Factory development -- a place where the old has melded into the new, to pleasing effect.
The Cork Factory formerly was the Armstrong Cork Factory, a hulking industrial complex along the Allegheny. Three buildings made up the factory, which produced flooring, life jackets and bottle tops for Old Grand Dad whiskey and Heinz ketchup bottles before closing in 1974.
In 2007, it reopened, refurbished as luxury condos, with a sparkling new complex across the street that includes the locally owned Right By Nature natural foods store, Cioppino, a chophouse and martini bar, and its baby brother of a deli, Il Mercato.
Step into the handsome, clean and spacious deli and you're greeted by manager, Steve Goda, a burly but talkative northern New Jerseyan who puts you in mind of a "Sopranos" extra.
A slate of a half-dozen sandwiches -- each constructed with fresh Breadworks bread -- plus another five stuffed flatbreads comprise the main menu ($5-$8), along with a daily soup special.
The place is even Steelers-approved -- linebacker Keyaron Fox is a regular and was in line in front of Munch on a recent Friday evening when Munch picked up a pair of turkey clubs ($7.25) for Munch and Petite Redhead Friend of Munch (PRFOM).
Comprised of oven-roasted turkey breast, Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and a tasty herbed mayonnaise on rustic farm bread, it proved to be an excellent nosh after a long week of work.
A subsequent visit with Parents of Munch (POM) provided similar satiation while sitting on the long and narrow front patio, admiring the architectural splendor of the Cork Factory, which proved to quite the bustling spot on a Saturday afternoon.
Svelte Mom of Munch (SMOM) sipped a San Pellegrino lemonade ($1) and nibbled on the prosciutto sandwich ($8), a well-crafted offering that included fresh mozzarella, fire-roasted tomatoes, roasted red peppers and balsamic vinaigrette on a crisp baguette. Her spawn (Munch) happily gorged on her leftovers while also tending to the excellent veggie panini ($6) that had roasted portabella mushrooms, zucchini, fire-roasted tomatoes and roasted red peppers marinated in balsamic and olive oil, and a white bean puree on toasted whole wheat.
It was so delicious, Munch even forgot it was healthy.
Meanwhile, Munch's pop, Father of Occasionally Aloof Anonymous Restaurant Reviewer (FOOAARR), enjoyed a La Fin Du Monde Belgian style beer ($6) to wash down his Cajun Fried Shrimp sandwich ($8), one of Il Mercato's daily specials, made with butterflied breaded shrimp topped with tomato, lettuce and a Cajun aioli on a baguette.
We each enjoyed a creamy cup of the crab, lobster and corn chowder ($2.75), which left little room for dessert. That was unfortunate, given the fresh pastries and cookies baked daily and excellent gelato from the Mulberry Street Creamery in Shadyside that are available.
While today might not be the ideal day for a visit -- again, Munch hears about this big muckety-muck nearby at the convention center -- add Il Mercato to the list for your next Saturday Strip sojourn. Which, despite the borderline hysteria to the contrary, Munch is pretty sure will still be standing in 48 hours.
Correction/Clarification: (Published Sept. 25, 2009) The last name of Steve Goda, manager of Il Mercato in the Strip District, was misspelled in this Munch column as originally published Sept. 24, 2009.
Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.
