Take a look inside downtown Bellingham’s newest restaurant, opening this weekend
Inside Look is a Bellingham Herald series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.
Mercato delle Bonta, a new restaurant coming to Bellingham’s Granary Building, is having a soft opening Sunday, June 30, and we have an exclusive look inside the restaurant that is still under construction.
Mercato delle Bonta, which means “market of goodness,” was launched by husband-and wife-duo Julia Tzortzatos and Francesco Di Vito, who have both been chefs for years. The chefs with Italian, Greek and New York City roots also competed together on Food Network’s “Cut Throat Kitchen” in 2017.
The new restaurant is split into two parts and occupies suites 127 and 128 of Bellingham’s Granary building. In suite 128, the restaurant will be structured as a casual seat-yourself cafe, serving a variety of goods that reflect the duo’s unique family roots.
Tzortzatos and Di Vito plan to serve scones, New York City’s famous black-and-white cookies, cannoli and tiramisu to honor their roots from around the world. Di Vito’s Italian mother even flew into Bellingham from Italy to help them create an authentic tiramisu, according to Tzortzatos.
“Bringing treats like New York’s black-and-white cookies to our restaurant is like bringing a little piece of my heart into this new space,” Tzortzatos said in an interview with The Bellingham Herald.
The cafe side of Mercato will have a limited menu on opening day, but will serve coffee, breakfast choices, baked goods, sandwiches, homemade focaccia and bread form Avenue Bakery. The cafe will also include a small market with local and imported products from around the world, as well as to-go charcuterie boards and ready-to-bake dinners.
Mercato’s next-door space in suite 127 will be structured as a sit-down restaurant and event space, featuring entrees, wine, beer and eventually brunches. This part of Mercato is still under construction but it set to open in September or October, according to Tzortzatos.
The kitchen for both the restaurant spaces is located behind the suites, but offers visitors a unique, behind-the-scenes view through large windows as the duo crafts the food .
Tzortzatos and Di Vito are also excited about the location of their new restaurant and hoping to provide Bellingham residents a unique waterfront space to come to even in the rainy weather when local beer gardens close.
“Our hope for Bellingham is to join an already vibrant community and add an establishment the residents would love to patronize for its food and overall atmosphere. We want everyone to feel great when they walk in and feel great about our products,” Tzortzatos wrote in an email to The Herald.
Mercato delle Bonta will open Sunday, June 30, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in suite 128 of the Granary Building at 1211 Granary Ave. in Bellingham.
