10/26/08

Great food, LOUSY service

by xanamanax

A friend and I went late on a Saturday night for the 2nd floor fine dining. The night started on a bad note when we had to wait several minutes for a valet to show up. The restaurant was not the least bit crowded. In fact, we were the only ones in a section of 10-15 tables (maybe four tables that seated four and the rest seated two) until another group came midway through our meal. The bad night continued when we were seated at a very wobbly table. When we informed our waiter we'd like another table, he tried to fix it with a napkin instead of simply seating us at another table. If the place was packed, I could understand but as I said before, it wasn't. When his efforts were unsatisfactory, he actually acted indignant when we still requested another table. Furthermore, he made no effort to help us move our drinks and menus to the other table. Just told us to sit wherever we wanted as he walked back to the kitchen. Not exactly the kind of service you expect at a restaurant charging $30 plus for most entrees. We ordered the shrimp and lobster fondue appetizer which was excellent. My friend had a salad, which she enjoyed, while I had lobster bisque, which was too salty for my taste. My friend had the Jack Daniels filet mignon and I had the cowboy ribeye, both of which were terrific. We split a Chocolate Decadence cake for dessert and that was very good also. The service got no better during the meal. I was only drinking water and the waiter made at least three round trips right by my empty glass without making a move to refill it. I had to ask several times for more water. The bad service continued when we left. We went outside to get my car and there was no valet there. We stood outside for several minutes looking around for one when one of the restaurant managers came out with my keys after staring at us through the doors for a few minutes. The food was terrific and although I can't imagine the service usually being that bad, I'll never go again.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Service, parking

05/10/08

Great Cheeseburgers!

by paradoxzap

We have lived downtown for years and only recently gave Merchant's a try. It's a little pricey so we opted to order cheeseburgers. Wow! They were great! The buns were toasted, the patty big, thick and juicy. Fries aren't so great as they have some sort of seasoning liberally sprinkled on them. Service is typically good and we can usually get seated without a wait, even when other downtown establishments are packed. The booths offer a comfortable dining experience and the seats by the windows allow for people watching. I would suggest declining seating at the round tops on the first floor. It is very cramped and loud.

We have been 4 or 5 times now and the cheeseburgers are consistently good. We have stuck with a good thing and haven't tried anything else at Merchants...for the price, we will continue to get our steaks at Flemings.

• Pros: great cheeseburgers, nice ambience if you avoid the round tops
• Cons: Many items on menu seem a bit over priced for the setting

04/27/08

Not worth the dollar.

by tyrsileen

We came here before a show at the Ryman, and we chose because it was the least bar-esq location that we saw on the block. The food was mediocore and incredibley over priced. I had the Chicken Pappardello for 19 dollars and my date the portobello sandwich for 9. As far as the food to price ratio goes, this restaurant failed to meet par. The service was fine, the food...not so much.

• Pros: Nice atmosphere, good location, good service
• Cons: Overpriced food.