The Maggy Tabakakis Era: A New Chapter for Mercato

December 06, 2024
Panos Deligiannis
With the arrival of Chef Maggie Tabakakis to the kitchen, the, in my opinion, long-suffering Mercato at the Four Seasons Astir Palace finally seems to be finding its way.
  • THE MAGGY TABAKAKIS ERA: A NEW CHAPTER FOR MERCATO | Articles & Know-how

The executive chef of the Four Seasons Astir Palace, Apostolos Dimou, has now set up a very strong team at the hotel elevating all the restaurants to a level that reflects the brand`s status. The Italian Mercato was considered the last "weak link"—but not anymore!

The transfer of Chef Maggie Tabakakis—from the FNL starred Napul`e (something we had informed you back in September before the hotel made the announcement) gave Mercato the credibility and the culinary authenticity that the restaurant has long promised but struggled to achieve. Tabakaki`s exuberant, rustic cooking transforms Mercato into an Italian trattoria that, although wrapped in the luxury of a five-star hotel and its corresponding prices, retains an undeniable sense of authenticity. It showcases the vibrancy of fresh ingredients and the expressiveness that such a restaurant ought to have and that is so rare in the Italian of our country.


Mercato`s new menu is filled with delicious suggestions and abundant flavours. Among the highlights are some of the chef`s signature dishes, such as the wonderful, generous arancino with black truffle and parmesan cream that radiates flavour and aroma, as well as the authentic carbonara, where the egg is a bit too prominent and could use some refinement with the guanciale and the balance of the pecorino and pepper. However, it is still one of the best served in Athens. The menu also features some new dishes, such as the exquisite tortino di gamberi with crispy potato, excellent prawns and an elegant beurre blanc sauce enhanced with Prosecco. Another standout is a fantastic variation of Caesar`s salad, feauturing "carpaccio" of grilled octopus, both of which are among the top dishes I tried there. 
The classic Ossobuco Milanese and the crispy,  juicy cotoletta, with the butter being perfectly flavourful, are two more dishes that confirm the restaurant`s high standard. Finally, the award-winning pastry chef of the Four Seasons, Michalis Hadjikalimeris, has also made significant changes to the dessert menu at Mercato, further elevating the overall dining experience. Info : Four Seasons Astir Palace, 40 Apollonos Street, Vouliagmeni, tel. 2108901199.
User Comments

Login or register to join the conversation