Valentine's Day
We will be open for dinner on Sunday, February 14th at 5:00pm. Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu
Primo
Pan roasted jumbo scallop topped with a ginger shiitake panzanella, roasted grape tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil
$13 Secondo
Prosciutto wrapped New Zealand lamb stuffed with arugula and ricotta, finished with a caramelized fig mustard and served with asparagus risotto
$27 Dolce
Dark chocolate éclairs with mocha mascarpone icing
$10 $45 pp + +

Dine Out Nova Scotia Event!
Feb 1st - 11th In conjunction with the Savour Food and Wine Festival, Il Mercato is proud to be participating in this year's Dine Out Nova Scotia event. Join us February 1st -11th to savour a delectable, three-course Prix Fixe menu you won't soon forget.  Dine Out Nova Scotia Prixe Fix Menu
Antipasti
Crostini with flash fried artichokes, fig pesto and mozzarella di buffalo Pasta Asciutta
Ravioli ai funghi Secondo
Pesto crusted salmon with lemon aioli, wilted greens, roasted potatoes $35 pp + + For more information on the Savour Food and Wine Festival or Dine Out Nova Scotia, please visit the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia's website

Winter at Il Mercato Trattoria
First of all, thank you to everyone who visited us throughout the busy holidays! It’s always great to see our loyal regulars but we also met quite a few new guests this past season. Il Mercato rang in New Year’s Eve in fine tradition with a tantalizing prix fixe menu created by Chef Larry Deneau, brought to you as always by our exceptional staff in a warm and authentic atmosphere ringing with good cheer. - As the chilly weather continues, Il Mercato is heating up with preparations for this year’s Savour Food & Wine Festival. From February 1-11th, both Il Mercato locations will feature a special Prix Fixe menu showcasing fabulous creations that will be sure to please. We will be posting the menu shortly, so stay tuned! - Who Do YOU Love? Il Mercato loves their customers! Which is why we will be open for dinner at 5pm on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14th. Come early to experience an unforgettable meal in a warm and romantic atmosphere. On Saturday and Sunday we will be offering a delectable special menu in addition to our usual exquisite fare. Let us impress that special someone! Join us for your Valentine’s Day celebration.

Holiday Hours
Closed Dec 24th - 27th. Re-opening Dec 28th.
Closed Jan 1st - 3rd. Re-opening Jan 4th.

Prix fixe menu
During the month of November we are proud to offer a weekly-changing prix fixe menu for $35. Join us anytime after 5pm, Monday through Thursday to sample an array of seasonally inspired dishes.

Week Four, November 23 - 26
Primo... Roasted parsnip puree with raisins, duck confit and spinach
Secondo... Slow-braised bison short ribs, brown butter mashed Yukon Gold potato
Dolce... Green asparagus pumpkin pie

Week Three, November 16 - 19
Primo... Fennel and dill cured Atlantic salmon with sweet pickled green beans and black truffle crackers
Pasta Asciutte... Spaghettini and meatballs Americano with shaved parmigiano
Secondo... Herb stuffed quail with lemon crème fraîche, beet risotto and roasted endive

Week Two, November 9 - 12
Primo... Lamb ragoût on soft polenta and roasted cappellone mushrooms with balsamic reduction
Pasta Asciutte... Spaghettini aglio e olio sautéed with green beans, pancetta and pinenuts
Secondo... Duck leg confit with cauliflower puree, grilled radicchio and Espagnole sauce

Week One, November 2 - 5
Primo... Citrus-marinated beet and basil insalata with ricotta and spicy pumpkin seeds
Secondo... Slow-braised lamb shank with truffle-mashed baby red potatoes and green beans
Dolce... Praline and caramel cheesecake

March Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition of Il Mercato's monthly newsletter!  
We like to surprise and delight our guests with new menu offerings, special prix fixe menus, and special events; and now, you will be able to find all the details posted on our website.  Our newsletter lets you know all about what you might have missed the month before, and gives you a preview of what we are planning next.

February was a busy month for us with the month long Savour Food and Wine Festival, The main event gala, held at the Halifax Marriot Harbourfront Hotel on February 26, showcased a few of our all time favourite dishes like our signature handmade Ravioli and our ever popular Risotto Croquettes. Of course, what would a meal be at Il Mercato be without a scoop of our homemade aMano gelato!  This year, we served them in mini brown-butter cones made from scratch by our in-house pastry chef.  We were a big hit with Savour participants; in fact, Il Mercato won for best booth!

As part of the Festival, restaurants throughout Halifax offered a two week prix fixe menu. At Il Mercato, the first week, February 16th through the 21st, featured Nova Scotia pork loin, stuffed with roasted pears and ricotta cheese, wrapped in pancetta and slow-roasted to perfection. During the second week of our Il Mercato prix fixe, Chef Larry prepared the traditional Italian Osso Bucco which our guests couldn't seem to get enough of!! It seems our prix fixe was a definite hit and will most likely become an annual event for us.

Another February highlight for Il Mercato, was our fabulous Valentine's Day menu prepared by Chef Larry and his culinary team. Rich, creamy lobster risotto and the time-honoured classic tiramisu for dessert helped make this Valentine's Day one of our best ever!!

Celebrate is something we love to do at Il Mercato.  Every day is a great day to enjoy our extensive martini and cocktail list; and, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, our front of the house staff creates unique new concoctions that are as tasty as they are unique.  

Thanks so much for reading our first newsletter – be sure to check out our website for all our upcoming events; and, of course, come in and enjoy our classic Italian food at Il Mercato!