Our Story
Growing up in Brooklyn was an adventure. My grandmother Clementina (known to those close to her as Mindy) started my love affair with cooking at 11 years old by teaching me how to make her classic spaghetti pomodoro. A simple dish that is still one of my favorites to this day.
Sundays were my grandmother's "shopping days" and often us kids were sent to at least 5 different stores to get only the best bread, meat, cheeses, produce, pastries, pastas, cold cuts, etc. Honestly, we weren't always thrilled to go on these errands! Afterall, it was Sunday and we could be playing stickball or riding bikes instead of hiking all over Dyker Heights to buy groceries. What I came to understand years later as I began my journey in the culinary world is the importance of fresh, quality ingredients. Grandma B understood that and it's that thinking that is the inspiration behind Mercato Cucina (that's Market Kitchen in Italian).
As an Executive Chef for over 30 years in New York City, I was lucky enough to be able to meet with and sample some of the finest products from the best food purveyors around the world. I have selected some of my favorites to carry at Mercato Cucina. In addition to our a variety of fresh house-made pastas and sauces, fresh mozzarella, salumeria offerings, custom coffee blends to take home and enjoy with your family and friends much like I did with my family as a child. I look forward to welcoming you to try some amazing food curated just for you. Ciao - Chef David Buico
Sundays were my grandmother's "shopping days" and often us kids were sent to at least 5 different stores to get only the best bread, meat, cheeses, produce, pastries, pastas, cold cuts, etc. Honestly, we weren't always thrilled to go on these errands! Afterall, it was Sunday and we could be playing stickball or riding bikes instead of hiking all over Dyker Heights to buy groceries. What I came to understand years later as I began my journey in the culinary world is the importance of fresh, quality ingredients. Grandma B understood that and it's that thinking that is the inspiration behind Mercato Cucina (that's Market Kitchen in Italian).
As an Executive Chef for over 30 years in New York City, I was lucky enough to be able to meet with and sample some of the finest products from the best food purveyors around the world. I have selected some of my favorites to carry at Mercato Cucina. In addition to our a variety of fresh house-made pastas and sauces, fresh mozzarella, salumeria offerings, custom coffee blends to take home and enjoy with your family and friends much like I did with my family as a child. I look forward to welcoming you to try some amazing food curated just for you. Ciao - Chef David Buico