Campino Mercado - Ironbound District

This is a really backdated restaurant review. We went to celebrate our anniversary there more than a month ago but since we were really busy trying to get things organized before we left for Malaysia then, I didn't have time to blog about it. I was deliberating if I should even blog about this (since it was so long ago) and came to the conclusion that I should. Why? Wellllll, cos it's a very nice restaurant and the food is just amazing! =D

Campino Mercado is a Portuguese restaurant located in Newark's Ironbound District. For those of you who don't know, the Ironbound District is also sometimes known as "Little Portugal" due to it's large Portuguese community. Naturally, you can find many amazing Portugese restaurants in this area. Campino Mercado is one of the more popular ones due to it's uber yummy food and ambiance. It doesn't look like much on the outside (looks somewhat like somebodys house) but you get transported to a whole new country the moment you step inside. One side of the restaurant reminds me of some marketplace in Europe while the other side looks like you have walked into a Portuguese house. With the low lighting and rustic decor, I would gave them a 10 for ambiance!

It was a pretty huge restaurant but there were only 3 tables (including us) that night. With the other two tables finishing when we were seated, it felt as though we booked the whole restaurant for ourselves! With all the servers old enough to be our grandfathers (seriously, I would say they were no less than 75!), it further adds to the charm of the restaurant. Don't let the age fool you, they were still great at their job and really friendly. After we placed our orders, they brought out some really good freshly baked buns, olives and some olive oil. I enjoyed the buns and olive oil so much, they were so gooood! Kevin on the other hand loved the olives, boy, he polished the whole dish of olives off by himself!!

To start off our meal, we shared the Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese & Crab ($9.50). I would definitely recommend this to everyone. The cream cheese and crab combo was out of this world! Not only that, but the broth that it came with was sooo thick and sweet (probably from all the crab). It was so good, we would have been happy just to dip the buns in it and make it our meal! :P

For our mains, Kevin ordered the Sirloin Steak with Collard Greens ($16). It came with a side of Potato Wedges. The steak was really well marinated and cooked to perfection. He didn't really like the Collard Greens though, but I like it. I like how they stir fried it with croutons. Overall, a yummy dish.

I ordered the Duck Breast with Oyster Mushrooms ($18). It came with a side of Mash Potatoes and some Grilled Vegetable Medley. What can I say about this dish? I took one bite and there was a taste explosion in my mouth! It was so flavorful, with a myriad of different taste, coming from all directions. Yes, it was THAT good! Everything on that plate was good, from the duck to the mash potatoes. Boy, I could eat that everyday for the rest of my life and still not get bored of it.

Overall, it was an awesome meal. With really good food, great ambiance and super friendly servers, it was definitely an anniversary celebration to remember. Oh and by the way, our drinks were on the house! I don't know why, maybe it was an anniversary gift or maybe they were just being nice. Either ways, thanks guys! :D

Campino Mercado - Ironbound District
70 Jebez Street,
Newark, NJ 07105
Tel: (973) 589 4004
Fax: (973) 589 8820