ECQ Eats: The Mercato United Kitchen Takes Flight With 19 Restaurants Under One Roof

Adapt. Pivot. Evolve. It's the recurring mantra in this new normal resulting in creative innovations in the food service sector to meet changing consumer habits. The cloud kitchen concept is one of those innovations making its impact on the local culinary scene...

The Mercato United Kitchen, an innovative cloud kitchen from the same group behind Mercato Centrale recently began its pick-up and delivery operations last August 6 just in time for the implementation of Metro Manila's Enhanced Community Quarantine status. With 19 restaurants and counting all under one roof, the Mercato United Kitchen is all fired up to satisfy your food delivery cravings in this third round of the metro-wide ECQ.

In Step with the Times

The quarantine experience continues to change and transform our daily routine with dining at home, the rise of the food delivery culture and increased online usage emerging as new consumer habits defining a challenging and difficult year. The food service sector is constantly forced to adapt to this new normal, and the cloud kitchen concept is just one of many innovations providing both big and small food businesses feasible options to continue and sustain daily operations. As the entire Metro Manila is once again placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine status to curb the spread of the lingering virus, customers now have even more food delivery choices for the long days of quarantine. 

The cloud kitchen concept brings several brands together allowing customers to order from different restaurants for a customized feast at home all with one delivery fee. Without the usual front of house or even a wait staff of a traditional brick and mortar establishment, cloud kitchens provide both small and big food businesses to continue offering their specialty dishes to more customers. The Mercato United Kitchen includes an outdoor al fresco dining area...    

...but pick-up and food delivery is the focus of The Mercato United Kitchen in response to changing consumer habits due to the quarantine experience. The innovative cloud kitchen concept is tailor-made and geared for the new normal, more so as restrictions on mobility are enforced. That means you can stay safely stay home and simply order with just a few taps on your mobile device. You can order direct via their website at https://favorites.mercatocentrale.ph/ or call 7719 0808. You can also order through your go-to food delivery app like GrabFood, FoodPanda and DingDongPH. The Mercato United Kitchen has all the bases covered for your convenience.

The Best of the Metro in One Place 

You'll find both well-established brands and familiar names from Mercato's long running food parks and outdoor markets at The Mercato United Kitchen. It's the variety of restaurants and successful home-based food businesses that make The Mercato United Kitchen's varied offerings special. And the best part? You only have to pay one delivery fee when you order from multiple vendors for that customized feast at home. 

A wide pizza selection from Pizza Didi, garden-fresh salads and soups from The Gourmet Kitchen by Gourmet Farms, sumptuous takoyaki from Takoichi, the specialty cheesecakes from global brand The Cheesecake Factory, milk teas from Kahatea, hearty burgers and sandwiches from Harvest Cafe & Bistro, Cebu lechon from Zubuchon, vegetarian dishes from The Green Meat Hub, fall-off-the-bone ribs from Khuttz Diner, savory burgers from Wild Smoke, sumptuous rice dishes from Chef Rocky's Kitchen, Filipino favorites from Pares Express and even ice cream from Tipsy Cream, creating that perfect feast at home is easy with The Mercato United Kitchen (for the full list of vendors, see the detailed menu below).

Inside The Mercato United Kitchen, each vendor is assigned their own space to prepare their specialty offerings. Following all the latest health and safety protocols, all orders are prepared a la minute and  dispatched...

...so it arrives fresh and hot at your doorstep. The streamlined interior layout is a model of efficiency designed to handle the volume of orders beyond the ECQ. Each stall is a self-contained unit equipped and supplied with all the requirements to churn out the orders from pizza, vegan dishes, Japanese and Filipino cuisine, milk teas, burgers, ribs, ice cream and desserts. That's 19 fully operational and dedicated kitchens all under one roof. And one phone number or website to place your orders. 

Timing is Everything

Setting up a cloud kitchen is a logistical next step following the success of the group's enduring outdoor markets. "After 10 years of operating our Mercato outdoor markets and one year of furiously pivoting our business model during the new normal, I am so happy to announce the opening of our first ever brick and mortar location for Mercato Centrale at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati," shared Mercato founder RJ Ledesma. And the timing couldn't have been better, with its soft opening on the eve of the ECQ. As the entire metro hunkers down for the third bout with Enhanced Community Quarantine, The Mercato United Kitchen is ready to take your orders.  

"The Mercato United Kitchen is a Mercato built for the new normal. Bringing together Mercato's top vendors, heritage cuisines and emerging new food finds, it is an optimized cloud kitchen for delivery, take-out and after the ECQ, al fresco dining," explained RJ Ledesma. Adapt. Pivot. Evolve. From outdoor markets to a cloud kitchen, The Mercato United Kitchen offers opportunities for food businesses as well as countless options for customers. It's innovations like this that keep Mercato relevant to customers in the challenging new normal. Each vendor also brings their unique flavors and stories to home dining for that Mercato experience. At the soft launch before the official opening, we sampled some of the tasty offerings from their vendors...

...like the specialty Assorted Takoyaki (P 200) from Takoichi. Known for their authentic take on Osaka style takoyaki, Takoichi offers five flavorful variants plus an assorted option with three kinds of takoyaki. The classic Naniwa-Yaki (P 150) combines Japanese mayo, dried fish flakes and briny seaweed powder for comfortingly familiar flavors, while the Akita-Yaki (P 190) brings the bold notes of chili garlic, onion leeks and dried seaweed flakes tempered by the silky smooth finish of creamy Japanese mayo. Craving for punchier flavors? The Momiji-Yaki (P 170) with Tobanjan Mayo, dried shredded pepper, chili powder and dried fish flakes packs the heat while the bite of wasabi comes through with the Sagami-Yaki (P 170) with Wasabi mayo and dried seaweed strips. The clean flavors of the Shirane-Yaki (P 150) with Japanese mayo and fresh onion leeks deliver rich yet uncluttered notes to the palate. 

Can't decide? Go for the Assorted Takoyaki (P 200) with three flavors of your choice. The wide popularity of the distinctive ball-shaped snacks made with batter and diced octopus slathered with sweet and sharp dark sauce and Japanese mayo is just one of many tasty treats we've missed during the quarantine. Now you can enjoy it in the safety of home with The Mercato United Kitchen (for more on Takoichi, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/takoichiph/ and website at https://www.takoichiph.com/).

Soothing beverages like milk teas are another popular treat, and The Mercato United Kitchen brings a homegrown brand with a uniquely Filipino spin to your table with Kahatea. The first and only Filipino themed milk tea brand, Kahatea offers a variety of refreshing beverages including fruit blends and local coffee. Take your palate on a culinary journey around the country with each sip of their specialty concoctions like Iskrambol, Leche Flan, Kundol, Panutsa, Tsoko Mani and Yema prepared with the finest local ingredients. The flavors are both comforting and nostalgic for a unique twist on the usual milk tea offerings in the metro. 

Kahatea was established at the height of the first wave of the quarantine last year, and the brand has never looked back since adding even more unique concoctions to their growing menu like Ube Macapuno Milk Tea, Ube Halaya Milk Tea, Halo-Halo Milk Tea and the wittingly named Tahoooo Poooo! inspired by the local taho. There's a whole lot of creativity and fun with the offerings of Kahatea, something we all need in these challenging times.

The wide selection includes fresh fruit blends, like Mango Lychee Milk Tea, Mixed Berries Fruit Tea, Wintermelon Fruit Tea and Buko Pandan Milk Tea to Cheesecake Milk Tea and Dark Cocolate Milk Tea. Coffee? Go for the Barako Caramel Macchiatto, Barako Cappuccino and Barako Mocha. Be creative with their selection of add-ons like Kesong Puti, Kutsinta, Nata de Coco, Powdered Milk and Chocolate Syrup. The themed concoctions of Kahatea differentiates it from the usual milk tea options, and it's the perfect way to cool down in the metro...

...even while staying home for the duration of the ECQ. Sealed fresh, the various blends handle well with delivery to brighten yet another day in quarantine at home (for more on Kahatea, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/kahateaph/).

Admit it, you've always wished for a supersized burger. Harvest Cafe & Bistro isn't kidding when they say "big" with their massive Shack Big Burger (P 649 with Mojos and Fries/P 699 with Buffalo Wings). Take a closer look and you know this is one serious burger. More than just a cafe, Harvest Cafe & Bistro is a social enterprise advocating social responsibility reflected with its tagline "Sow Kindness, Reap Happiness." Harvest Cafe & Bistro provides scholarship grants to deserving students with its One Cup Five Peso Initiative as well as employment opportunities to scholars to complete the loop. Based in Cabanatuan, Harvest Cafe & Bistro expands to the metro bringing with it a whole lot of good vibes. And one seriously big burger. 

Size does matter. And it comes together perfectly with the impressive Shack Big Burger by Harvest Cafe & Bistro. The size of the bun alone gives you the proper perspective, lift it up and you'll find two equally large beef patties topped with cheese, tomatoes and cucumber slices slathered in mayo on garden-fresh and crisp lettuce. The sides of crisp fries and mojos complete this supersized burger.

No other burger in the metro fills up your dinner plate quite like the Shack Big Burger by Harvest Cafe & Bistro. Even when you slice it in half, it still looks huge and so unlike any other burger. Ideal for sharing, slice it up like a cake at home for memorable feast.

One really big bite brings the soft buttery notes of the giant bun followed by the bold beefy flavors of the double patties, the creamy cheese, the natural tartness and sweetness of the tomatoes, cucumber slices and lettuce perfectly finished by the smooth mayo. The flavors are real and honest, equally as impressive as the size and scale of the behemoth burger. And as far as I can recall, you can't find a burger half this size anywhere in the metro. But you'll find it at The Mercato United Kitchen.

Pair your Shack Big Burger with the indulgent Oreo Madagascar Frappe (P 185) and Caramel Overload Frappe (P 155) to complete your dining experience at home. Harvest Cafe & Bistro offers a wide variety of comfort food from their specialty Clubhouse with Fries (P 145) to the Grilled Nutella Sandwich (P 125) along with a selection of iced coffee beverages like Dark Chocolate Chip (P 185), Mocha Caramel Hazelnut (P 185), Cold Brew (P 125), Mocha Locco Frappe (P 155), Mocha on the Rocks (P 145) and Iced Caramel Macchiato (P 145).

Definitely one of the metro's unique burger offerings, there's a whole lot of good vibes with Harvest Cafe & Bistro. And as you enjoy your orders from Harvest Cafe & Bistro at The Mercato United Kitchen, you'll be warmed and comforted by the thought that your purchases go a long way in sending a deserving student to school (for more on Harvest Cafe & Bistro, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/HarvestCafePh/).

Packed in iconic Chinese take-out boxes, Chef Rocky's Kitchen offers affordable and sumptuous rice and noodle meals to go that's perfect for delivery. Chef RJ Obasa, one of the co-owners of Chef Rocky's Kitchen, shared two of their popular Asian inspired offerings...

...starting with Rocky's Orange Chicken (P 215) with juicy chicken cutlets draped in a sweet orange glaze over soft and fluffy rice...

...and the Shrimp Poppers (P 249) with large shrimps topped on fried rice. At home, the Shrimp Poppers was a satisfying meal with the briny sweetness of the shrimps punching through with each succulent snap and bite. A subtle and soothing heat follows each bite, complementing the natural sweetness of the shrimps. The bold notes of the spice blend are also infused in the fried rice for a solid one-two punch of flavors.

Chef Rocky's Kitchen offers a full range of sumptuous boxed rice and noodle meals, including Rocky's Yang Chow (P 129), Rocky's Fried Rice (P 129), Egg Foo Yong (P 139), Char Kway Teow (P 199), Crispy Chicken in Szechuan Sauce (P 215), Braised Pork Spare Ribs (P 249), Rocky's Laksa (P 249) and Pad Thai (P 249). Delivered hot and fresh, you can always expect a satisfying meal in a box from Chef Rocky's Kitchen (for more on Chef Rocky's Kitchen, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Chinese-Restaurant/Chef-Rockys-Kitchen).

A delivery experience just isn't complete without pizza. At The Mercato United Kitchen, you'll find the hearty pizza selection of PizzaDidi guaranteed to satisfy any pizza craving. Flavor and value come together for a pizza that's hard to beat by PizzaDidi, now with several locations in Alabang, Bacoor, Bicutan, Imus, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Pasay and now at The Mercato United Kitchen. Known for their line of Sulit Cravebusters and Super Bestsellers, PizzaDidi's attractive price points means you don't have to bust your budget to enjoy a good pizza. You'll find classic flavors like Super Pepperoni (P 349-10"/P 799-16") and Super Hawaiian (P 349-10"/P 799-16") to inventive pizza creations like the Taco Wacko (P 199-10"/P 499-16") and even Blueberry (P 249-10"/P 599-16") and Strawberry (P 249-10"/P599-16") variants for any mood or craving.  

The VIP (P 349-10"/P 599 16") is one fully-loaded pizza with green peppers, onions, savory ground beef and pepperoni for that satisfying protein and veggie combo rounded out by a generous topping of cheese on a rustic crust. Movie nights at home during the quarantine just gets better with a box of pizza from PizzaDidi.  

At home, simply load the slices in the oven to warm it up just in time for your livestream of the Olympic games. The soft yet crisp crust absorbs all the richness from the various toppings for that flavorful burst with every bite. The onions and green peppers add contrasting flavors and textures perfectly finished by the creamy cheese.

And there's more. The creamy Chicken Pesto (P 349-10"/P 799-16") brings the delicate notes of juicy chicken and nutty hints of pesto in a seamless blend for another satisfying pizza experience by PizzaDidi. Savory or sweet, PizzaDidi has the right pizza for you (for more on PizzaDidi, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/pizzadidi/).

A refreshing salad and a comforting bowl of soup always works on any rainy day in the quarantine, and The Gourmet Kitchen by Gourmet Farms always hits the spot. Known for their garden-fresh ingredients and excellent local coffee, you'll find the specialty products of The Gourmet Kitchen by Gourmet Farms at The Mercato United Kitchen for your soup and salad cravings in the long days of quarantine.

Gourmet Farms offers a wide selection of fresh, all-natural products from hearty salads to comforting soups, crunchy chips to refreshing beverages and their specialty coffee. And you'll find all these at The Mercato United Kitchen. Gourmet Farms is one of the country's enduring brands known for igniting the local coffee culture as well as bringing wellness to the table with their garden fresh produce harvested from their very own farms. "The Freshest. The Finest. The First," that's Gourmet Farms (for more on Gourmet Farms, see my previous posts, Freshest. Finest. First. A Day at Gourmet Farms... on the brand's continuing story and Masterfully Roasted. The Coffee Culture and Gourmet Farms on the start of the local coffee culture from two years ago).

The Hail, Caesar (P 295 Sharing-300g/P 155 Solo-150g) brings garden-fresh vegetables and crisp lettuce topped with crunchy croutons drizzled with a rich and creamy dressing together for a satisfying and healthy salad. Pair your salad with a hearty bowl of Pumpkin Spiced (P 190) with its thick and creamy texture, natural sweetness and subtle spice notes for depth. It's the perfect healthy combo at home. The Gourmet Kitchen by Gourmet Farms also offers a variety of refreshing wraps like Gamba's Rice (P 320) and Binondo Rice (P 185) and tasty chips like Lettuce Chips (P 130) and Pesto Chips (P 130).

Complete your healthy meal at home with the Signature Cooler (P 140), a refreshing blend of basil and lemon...

...or their classic Cold Brew (P 90) from their own masterfully roasted local coffee beans. Access to healthy dishes made from fresh produce isn't a problem during the ECQ, simply order from The Gourmet Kitchen by Gourmet Farms at The Mercato United Kitchen (for more on Gourmet Farms, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/GourmetFarmsPh/).

Comforting homestyle cuisine comes to your table with Ibarra's Kitchen at The Mercato United Kitchen in both Solo and Sharing portions. Enjoy a family feast at home from their Rotisseries selection like their specialty Roasted Rosemary Chicken, Lemon Grass Annato Infused Chicken, Chimichurri Roasted Chicken, Chicken Inasal and Chicken Barbecue or their festive Bila-Bilao offerings like Sisig Carbonara, Pancit Malabon and Pinoy Spaghetti. Try their Hickory Pork Belly Barbecue (P 245 Solo with Rice/P 1,120 Sharing good for 5) with fork-tender pork draped in a thick and sweet, smoky sauce...

...or the savory Pineapple Glazed Pork Belly (P 335 Solo with Rice/P 975 Sharing good for 5) with the delicate notes of juicy pork kicked up by the tart sweetness of pineapples. Both dishes highlight the juicy texture and flavors of the premium pork belly, finished by the rich sauce or glaze. The Solo portions are a complete meal, while the Sharing options are ideal for family dining at home.

If you're craving for familiar flavors, you can't go wrong with the Crispy Sisig (P 170 Solo/P 660 Sharing good for 5) served with a sunny side-up. Ibarra's Kitchen at The Mercato United Kitchen brings comfort food to brighten up your home dining experience, and that goes a long way in the ECQ (for more on Ibarra's Kitchen, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/ibarraskitchen/).

Hungry? Scroll through the detailed menu for your picks during the ECQ and leave the cooking to the vendors of The Mercato United Kitchen...

For the duration of the ECQ, The Mercato United Kitchen is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For your convenience, you can order via their website at https://favorites.mercatocentrale.ph/. Variety, value and convenience weave a seamless experience you've come to expect from Mercato. 

The quarantine experience will leave a lasting impact, forever changing our daily routine. As we face another another surge from a more potent Delta variant, staying home is the smart thing to do. And to make it easier, innovations like the cloud kitchen offers limitless options without the fuss. Dining at home in the new normal becomes easy, convenient and hassle-free with The Mercato United Kitchen. And they're ready and waiting for your orders...  

For more on The Mercato United Kitchen, visit their website at https://favorites.mercatocentrale.ph/ and their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale/ for a full listing of offerings and updates or call 7719 0808 for orders. 

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