If the dining precinct around Martin Place is already simmering, it's about to crank up to a raging boil with news of yet another new restaurant, this time a co-production between former Nomad chef Nathan Sasi and the team behind China Doll.
They've nabbed the handsome George Street building, at the gateway to the Ash Street and Angel Place, where they'll open Mercado.
The restaurant, which opens late October, will join a scrum of venues opening this year near Martin Place, arrivals including Barrio Cellar and a Greek gastro temple with David Tsirekas in the kitchen.
Maurice Terzini is also close to a deal in the area. Mercado, Spanish for market, will house-cure its own meats, make cheese and cook whole animals on a rotisserie.
"There's a reason why people like the guys from Bentley have moved to the city. It's buzzing. And where Surry Hills might be OK for lunch on a Friday, here you have a more captive audience for lunch midweek," Sasi says.
He also says the restaurant's pitch will be "affordable". Steve Anastasiou, one of the China Doll team partnering Sasi at Mercado, says the chef brings something new to the precinct.
"You're hard-pressed to find food like Nathan's in the city. It's also sharing food, which is what we're all about," Anastasiou adds.
Chiswick restaurant designer Humphrey + Edwards will craft the Mercado interior.
