I thought Josef Centeno’s Bäco Mercat (in downtown L.A.) was simply a sandwich and soda shop.
I was SO very wrong…
Of course we begin with the Bäco flatbread sandwich: Pork Belly, Beef Carnitas, Salbitxada (Catalan sauce of tomatoes, almonds and garlic). Peter and I first tried Chef Centeno’s Bäco when he opened the Lazy Ox Canteen in Little Tokyo.
Bäco Mercat is the home of the “bäco,” the signature flatbread sandwich that was developed by chef Josef Centeno. The original bäco was the crispy pork belly and beef carnitas with caraway pepper. Since then, the bäco bread has taken center stage and works as a vessel for all things delicious: pork, beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables. (more on the website)
Sugar Snap & Pear Salad w grapefruit, burrata, dill walnut.
Half Rack Baby Back Ribs w chili vinegar.
Pork Belly, Soujouk with Ricotta Cavatelli.
Caesar Brussels Salad, Pecorino, Anchovy, Garlic.
Toron, with oxtail hash, pickle, cheddar and “tater” (it’s like a big homemade tater tot)!
Black Rice Risotto: Squid, Fine Herbs, Creme Fraiche.
Pulled Confit Goose Leg with blood oranges, arugula and pickled cherries.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Szechuan Peppercorns, Whipped Cream, rice balls.
Bäco Ginger, Orange, Juniper Soda Pop!
Absolutely charming (and casually romantic!) inside and out. Peter and I will be spending many, many evenings downtown this summer!
Please read Jonathan Gold’s Bäco review at L.A. Weekly
Bäco Mercat
408 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-8808
website
Follow @BacoMercat on twitter
