Austin W.
Yelp
During a recent visit to downtown Vacaville, my friends and I were browsing Yelp for lunch spots when a local recommended we check out Merchant & Main Grill & Bar down the street from where we were hanging out. When we stopped by on a Saturday afternoon, the place was pretty quiet, and our group of six was seated within a few minutes.
The menu here is unlike anything I've seen before. Instead of listing individual prices for each item, there's just one price at the top of the menu: $27.99. That price includes your choice of an entree, a seasonal fruit plate with slices of pound cake to share at the table, and most notably -- bottomless champagne or apple cider. You're free to switch between the two at any time, or skip them entirely if neither sounds appealing.
Some entrees definitely feel like a better deal than others. For example, a steak and eggs plate with three eggs would typically cost more than a veggie omelet at most restaurants, so the flat pricing adds a bit of strategy to your order.
I went with the loco moco, while my wife ordered the steak and eggs. My eggs were cooked perfectly to order (over medium), and the burger patty had good seasoning. Unfortunately, the dish fell short when it came to the gravy and rice. The gravy tasted like a generic brown sauce--something straight out of a McCormick brown gravy packet, and the rice had the appearance of fried rice, with bits of frozen vegetables mixed in, but the texture was more like a pilaf. I wouldn't order it again.
On the other hand, my wife's tri-tip was cooked nicely to a medium rare and was far more enjoyable than my dish. My only minor critique would be that the steak could've used just a touch more salt.
Service throughout our meal was excellent. Our server was consistently attentive: any time our coupe glasses were empty, they were quickly refilled with champagne. I'd definitely consider dining at Merchant & Main again, but next time, I'll be more selective with my entree.
