When one door closes, another opens, especially when it comes to South Florida restaurants.
This is especially true for local chef Pushkar Marathe, who recently opened Mango Mercado where Coolinary Cafe once stood, and more recently opened the first edition of his second restaurant, Ella Curry Kitchen & Cocktails, which has since been shortened to Ella Curry & Cocktails.
Mango Mercado, a casual, market-style breakfast and lunch spot, officially opened on Tuesday, May 28, at 4650 Donald Ross Road in Palm Beach Gardens.
This latest venture, which offers equal opportunities for dine-in and takeaway, is exactly what he felt was missing in the area, and Marathe said he felt the original Ella store was the ideal location.
“When Ella and I decided to move to a bigger space, the first thing that came to mind was that we had a great space that we didn't want to give up,” Malate says of the slim but cozy space. “Mango Mercado is the type of place I was looking for — a place that's easy and quick, but doesn't sacrifice quality and flavor.”
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Malathe, a Palm Beach Gardens resident and owner, aims to offer high-quality, local, grab-and-go food in a fast-casual atmosphere, which feels like a natural stepping stone for the chef, who was nominated as a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef: South Awards.
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The name pays homage to one of Florida's most beloved, or hated, fruits.
“There's nothing more local than the mango; it's a South Florida treasure,” said Malate, who commissioned local artist Jonathan Arango to paint the mango mural.
More than just dine-in: A curated prepared food market awaits at Mango Mercado
With his latest creation, Marathe, 39, said he hopes to explore menu items that can't be found at Stage or Ella.
We offer a curated prepared foods market including easy-to-prepare meals, sauces, dressings and condiments, as well as made-to-order breakfast and lunch menus for dine-in or takeaway.
Upon entering Mango Mercado, you'll see that Coolinary's original open kitchen counter on the right has been transformed into an assembly line, allowing customers to create their own salads loaded with flavorful toppings, local produce and the market's own roasted chicken.
Open refrigerated cases along the far wall stock prepackaged meals and takeaway items, and further on, what was once office space is now a dedicated wine department.
To ensure quality, the chef says he will continue to source produce and meat from small local and national purveyors, with an emphasis on nitrate-free and organic options. The opening menu will feature pork from Compart Family Farm in Nicollet, Minnesota, and produce from Kai Kai Farm in Indiantown, and Gratitude Gardens Farm and Naga Gardens in Loxahatchee.
These are offered on a recurring menu of freshly prepared pre-packaged dinners each day, including lasagna, soup of the day, quiche, desserts, and more, with the menu changing frequently.
There's also a section dedicated to piadina, the Italian flatbread sandwich that Malate places at the center of the Mango Mercado menu.
“I wanted a sandwich that wasn't too heavy, that you could eat without overdoing it,” says Malate, who makes her dough from scratch using simple ingredients: flour, milk, olive oil, and salt. The resulting flatbread is served with roasted vegetables, prosciutto, and crescenza or Gruyere cheese.
If you're looking for something to spice up a homemade dinner, Stage & Ella pantry items include chef's butter chicken sauce, aioli bread, homemade dressings and condiments, and individual desserts.
What's for breakfast at Mango Mercado?
In addition to grab-and-go meals and market items, Mango Mercado chefs will be preparing cooked-to-order breakfast and lunch items available for both dine-in and take-out.
Breakfast is served from opening until 11am and ranges from $6 to $15 with a selection of hot and cold options, from sweet to savoury. Options include the hoagie breakfast sandwich (available all day), buckwheat pancakes, and mushroom or avocado toast. Hot plates include steamed egg congee with bacon, scallions, kimchi, mushrooms and a spicy chilli crunch, or a fancy French omelette with roasted garlic and caviar.
“We also have some great sandwiches that you won't find in any of our other restaurants,” Marathe adds.
These sandwiches are the main attraction at lunchtime ($12-$18), each made on Aioli Bakery bread. Familiar favorites include the roasted turkey club, tuna salad, curried chicken salad, Italian hoagie, and Malate's own traditional beef carpaccio, Cuban style, and banh mi.
Going forward, Marathe can be expected to be seen spending his days at Mango Mercado and dropping by Ella in the evenings to oversee kitchen operations.
“I feel like all the stars aligned for me, and I couldn't have done this without the constant support from my wife and son, my amazing staff, and my business partners,” Marathe summarises. “All of that has allowed me to continue to build something special — not just a restaurant, but a community.”
Mango Mercado, Palm Beach Gardens
Where: The Shops of Donald Ross Village, 4650 Donald Ross Road, suite 110, Palm Beach Gardens. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: 561-408-3014. mangomercado.com.
