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Market Tavern, a New American restaurant and bar in Dublin’s Hacienda Crossing, has been open just one month and it already feels like a fixture in the community. A recent Wednesday night felt more like a Friday night, the dark wood tables and booths brimming with a mix of families and post-work parties. They were sipping housemade basil-ginger sodas, chowing down on wood-fired classics, like skirt-steak and prosciutto pizza, and a few modern dishes new to the Dublin dining scene. Have a taste:
THE VIBE: This former Mimi’s Cafe still has that cavernous chain feel — Market Tavern is technically a chain, the original is in Stockton — with an open kitchen and two dining rooms, one long and narrow dining room and the other more expansive, with a bar on the left for game-watching and more booths on the right.
While our son played with purple pizza dough from the hostess (major points) we were able to relax, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and take in the beverage menu, which includes craft cocktails and a dozen Northern California beers on draft — including eight from the East Bay. Represent.
THE FOOD: The menu is simple and easy to navigate, with starters ($4-$17), including a tender, well-executed wood grilled octopus ($17), salads ($11-$15.50), sandwiches — including a lamb burger topped with cucumber raita ($17) and a grilled Mary’s Chicken BLT with Hobb’s bacon ($14.50). Plus pizzas ($14.50-$18) and mains ($18-$34).
One of the best dishes on our visit was the Market Tavern’s Margherita pizza($14.50), which does justice to the classic with a perfectly thin, blistered crust, bubbling mozzarella, fresh basil and just the right touch of tomato.
Another stand-out was the wood-fired Kurobuta pork chop ($29). It packed a ton of flavor and checked all the boxes: Large enough to share and packed with grilled, juicy flavor, with creaminess from garlic grits and a touch of sweetness from the accompanying apple chutney. Bravo.
DON’T MISS: The grab-and-go market, which offers those delicious pizzas for take-and-bake, plus Equator coffee, fresh-baked Acme bread and a solid selection of beer and wine.
DETAILS: Open from 11 a.m. daily at 4775 Hacienda Drive, Dublin; www.markettaverndub.com
