"In an old bank building downtown, diners crowd around the mammoth square bar at the centre of the Merchant Tavern, decorated in navy blue and presided over by the head of a moose that chef Jeremy Charles shot himself. The somewhat casual little sister of Raymonds (closed in 2020) stands out on its own thanks to the handmade pasta and big hunks of meat flying out of the open kitchen — not to mention a thoughtful wine list overseen by sommelier and co-owner Jeremy Bonia, carefully made cocktails, and plenty of local beers on tap." - Gabby Peyton