Eating in Zagreb: Market2 opens in Martićeva hood

Market, a bistro serving traditional Croatian dishes with a twist, has now opened Market2 in downtown Zagreb

Owner Fran Ćurković opened Market at the end of 2019 in Zagreb’s city centre at Gunduliceva 13 after operating the successful T&T house, which served street versions of traditional Croatian dishes like sarma, pašticada and buncek in bread rolls. Now Fran has expanded and opened Market2 in Martićeva hood at Tomašićeva 6.

The new Market, Market2, came from our need to fully express ourselves and offer the Zagreb gastro scene a slightly larger Market with a terrace. Somehow the ideal size of the Market. The Market in Gundulićeva is a small and narrow space that has its own charm, but with the new Market we want to see our potential with a terrace and a larger maximum capacity. Because in Gundulićeva, sometimes twice as much space would not be enough for us. Tomašićeva 6 is an ideal location considering the long-term awakening of the Martićeva neighbourhood. We think that a Bistro like Market2 is missing there and that Market2 will be a great success,” he tells us.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Only 45 days passed from the day they got the keys of the place in their hands to the opening, which was extremely fast. Market2 visually builds on Market. The menu will always be different compared to the Market in Gundulićeva, but the philosophy of the dishes remains similar.

“In Market2, due to the larger space, we will have a slightly higher number on the a la carte menu. And that extra dishes will be certain more expensive ingredients like duck breast or octopus. So the new a la carte menu for Market2 ranges between 68 – 136kn,” Fran adds.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

The interior of Market2 was deigned by Anita Elez and Jelka Margarita Bogdanić. And their work relies on the design of Kamelija Gerovac, who was the main designer at the opening of the Market in Gundulićeva.

“Anita and Jelka are architects with a great interest in interior design and decoration, so the result of their work is excellent and after only a few days of work we get great compliments for decorating. Especially on the artistic installation that divides high and low seating that Jelka designed,” Fran says, adding. “The idea is to develop Market2 as a Bistro visited by family, friends, business partners, and many others. To celebrate birthdays, diplomas, retirements, and the like. Because the Market in Gundulićeva did not allow us to host larger groups of people, which we can do now with Market2. As we open the terrace in April, I look forward to seeing guests eating our wonderful dish and sipping a glass of fine wine.”

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

The chef at Market2 is Doris Kos, who was assistant cook at the Market in Gundulićeva for the past 2 years.

“Doris was ideal for this position because she participated, along with our head chef in Gundulićeva – Goran Stanisavljević, in the creation of this ‘Market Taste’. There are currently 5 chefs in the kitchen, we are ready to increase the number of people in the kitchen depending on traffic. Doris has a perfectionist approach to the kitchen. Here I mean that every detail must be as she imagined.”

Market2 will offer dishes with the same approach as in the Market in Gundulićeva 13 with the menu changing seasonally, ie 4 times a year.

“One of the classics is definitely the sarma that put us on the gastro map of 2017 where we presented ourselves with Street sarma in pastries. But this sarma also has a special twist, which is baked mashed potatoes. The larger kitchen provides us with the preparation of a larger number of dishes and play with more delicate foods. So the menu in Market2 contains 8 main dishes on the a la carte menu. The news is duck breast and octopus ragout, our step into something more expensive food. This keeps our philosophy that the menu includes affordable dishes such as sarma for 68kn or cauliflower steak as a vegan dish also for 68kn from which guests will eat and visually get an attractive plate. In addition to the above, the menu includes duck breast with Pommes Anne potatoes and fennel and apple salad for 128kn, a dish that is a real delicacy.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Offering drinks is entirely my domain that I love to play with. From the offer, I would single out Infused Gin & Tonic with Gin that I make myself. I technically refine it by adding certain spices to the already existing Gin base, which are infused for 30 days. In addition, I add squeezed lime and tonic. This is definitely our best seller. Along with it, we can’t miss our Negroni Franco & Marconi, the increasingly popular drink Skinny Bitch and many other wines such as Graševina Jakovac, Martin Albus Pinot Gris, Stina mali plavac bariqque and many others.”

Fran expects a combination of new and old guests at Market2.

“Neighbours and visitors of this beautiful neighbourhood are most expected, and as for regular guests from Gundulćeva – many of them are already saying that they are looking forward to being able to come to the Market in larger groups and sit at the same table. We have tables for up to 16 people who can sit at the same table. Tourists were always our audience because we are one of the few restaurants that make traditional Croatian dishes in a modern and visually attractive way while retaining the traditional taste,” adds Fran.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

In the future, the plan is to develop the Market brand and they want to be a synonym for quality and interesting food for relatively affordable prices.

“In Market2 we plan to introduce daily meals, brunch on Saturdays, wine evenings, and many other events.”

Fran explains the menu in more detail.

Our menu consists of a daily soup that depends on the season and the offer at Dolac food market. We love to play with flavors, and each of our soups is a special experience. At the moment we offer white bean soup with bacon crumble and pumpkin seeds.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Since we are talking about the winter menu, of course we also offer sarma that put us on the gastro scene in 2017 at Zagreb’s Advent market. Sarma with buncek and baked puree is our winter classic dish with a twist represented by baked puree.

Our vegan dish is cauliflower steak with hummus, grilled chicory, cauliflower cream, and salad. A gourmet dish that is completely vegan.

We are known for excellent risottos, so we continue with the seasonal risotto, which is related to the offer at Dolac food market and the inspiration of our head chef Doris Kos. We currently offer parsnip risotto with spinach and pomegranate.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Open ravioli with chicken in a sauce with glazed carrots is our modern interpretation of chicken stew dish called ‘Pileći paprikaš’ and so far it is one of the best-selling dishes. Homemade gnocchi with beef ragout with apple and cranberry chutney. We make homemade gnocchi ourselves, and with an apple and cranberry chutney twist, this dish is put on a higher level.

Porchetta with white bean puree and caramelised fennel is an ingenious winter combination that meat lovers will enjoy.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Duck breast with pommes anna potatoes, mandarin sauce, and fennel and apple salad is our gastro step forward. A gourmet dish that we absolutely recommend.

Octopus ragout with chickpea polenta is our fish dish. The octopus is extremely soft and goes well with chickpea polenta, which is also called white polenta.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)

Dessert is also daily, but we currently offer market dessert No.1. A combination of chocolate truffles with hazelnuts, white chocolate cream, peppermint crumble, and pumpkin oil. You can  follow us on our social networks and you will find out everything else.

(Photo credit: Karlo Jelić)