Mercato Brings a New Italian Sunday Brunch Tradition to Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

It’s one of the Mediterranean’s most enduring traditions: family and friends gathered around a heaving table, decompressing and reconnecting over delicious dishes made with love. From October 30, 2022, Mercato’s Chefs Sergio Favata and Roberto Cannata offer a new weekly reason to bring loved ones together with their grand Pranzo Della Domenica – a sensory recreation of the traditional Sunday brunch, Italian style.

“In Italy, just as in Greece, the traditional Sunday lunch is the glue than bonds families and friends together,” comments Sicilian-born Chef Sergio. “Antipasti platters, succulent seafood, grilled meats, fresh homemade pastas – my earliest memories are of huge sharing plates enjoyed to a soundtrack of chatter and laughter.”

It’s this convivial scene – equally familiar to Tuscan-born Chef Roberto – that informs the traditional family-centric spirit of each Mercato Sunday Brunch. Light-as-a cloud Foccacia (made to Chef Sergio’s grandmother’s recipe) heads the breads and grissinis that begin the lavish buffet spread: as abundant and authentic as Mercato’s Italian market name-sake.

The finest cuts of Prosciutto, Capocollo, Salame and Pancetta vie for space with creamy artisanal cheeses and a Seafood & Raw Bar packed with Fine De Claire Oysters and Clams, Marinated Mussels and Seabass Ceviche. Salads range from simple Caesar to the melt-in-the mouth refinement of Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio with Rocket, Parmesan and Truffle Mayo – or create one at the Salad Bar. Barbecue favourites include zesty “Sicilian” Grilled Baby Chicken and Pork Spare Ribs that fall off the bone, and that’s before one even reaches the freshly handcrafted pastas and carving stations.

For those sensible enough to leave room for dessert, the reward comes in the form of a magnificent showstopping tribute to the art of Italian pastry: tantalising tubes of Cannoli; lavishly layered Tiramisu; sweet, airy Baba; and multiple flavours of Tarts and Eclairs, Panna Cotta and Paris-Brest, filled Brioche buns and buttery flakey Flans – all arranged in row after row of devilishly delicious decadence.

Located on the 5th floor of Nafsika at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens, Mercato is an elegant waterfront trattoria with sweeping Saronic Gulf views. Large modern interiors, a warm relaxed atmosphere and a generous Italian spirit make guests of all ages feel at home. During Sunday Brunch, an in-restaurant Kids Club adds to the all-embracing family-centric vibe.

Mercato is open for Sunday Brunch from October 30, 2022 until April 2023 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm for guests of the resort and external guests. Price: EUR 75 per person.  Call +30 21 0890 1199 to book.