Say Mercy!

Jesus take the wheel was a great experience. This set requires a minimum of four people when we dined here in June. We were served a great range of 12 dishes. The portions seemed small but were perfect as there is a lot of dishes to try. Near the end of it I was feeling stuffed that I couldn’t really enjoy the short ribs and the other dish that came before it. The tuna tartare, anchovy salad and pillow pasta were delicious. The strawberry dessert I prefer over the chocolate one. Beautiful dining area and wonderful customer service. Photo credit: MC

Went with some friends and ordered "Jesus take the wheel" for the 3 of us. All dishes were delicious with stand outs being the octopus salad and the Lamb for me personally. There was a nice balance of both Italian and southern flavors throughout the entire meal. I am a huge tiramisu fan and their slight twist on the classic was very refreshing. Service was solid and food was prepared at a very nice pace. You may not enjoy this style of food if you are a bit shy to bolder flavors and afraid to travel slightly outside the norm of flavor combinations.

Celebrating a birthday here last night. Went with the 'Jesus Take The Wheel' tasting menu for 2 and it was definitely the way to go. 6 courses from some of their most popular menu items sharing between the two of us. Everything was delicious (some might find their seasoning a bit too aggressive) and beautifully presented. Service was friendly and professional. Had a wonderful time.

Jesus took the wheel and drove us to a heavenly place. You need a minimum of 4 people to order the shared tasting menu at $70 per head - and you get to try every dish on the menu. The Italian / southern BBQ twist was a head scratcher at first - but when the dishes came out it all made sense on the palate. Each dish was completely unique and filled with umami. When going back I would request the meat dishes to come out first and finish with the lighter salads Italian style, as I could only nibble the pork belly by the time it came out. Desserts were over the top decadent to round out a hearty meal.

Really enjoyed Say Mercy. Service was charming and friendly. Food server took a lot of time to explain each dish, which was fun, but on the verge of too much as we were also keen to dive in and discover the dishes ourselves. Food was exquisitely prepared and original. Portions are not massive, but flavours are very strong. Loved the scallop starter, short rib, shrimp and grits and their unusual take on tiramisu. Bolognese with BBQ sauce was the only dish which I felt was a little weak. It had a sweet BBQ taste which overpowered. Still good, but not my favourite. Bread was wonderful. Butter rolls were like little clouds. We did not go for the $70 blow out dinner, but were very satisfied sharing the dishes we ordered. Recommended.

We had the “Jesus take the Wheel” tasting menu for two. All dishes were beautifully presented and all were exceptional. The flavor of the BBQ bolo was a bit strong, but I still loved it because of its uniqueness and creativity. The server explained the ingredients and background of all the dishes to help us enjoy more. Thanks to the lovely service and cuisine, we had a great time celebrating a birthday. 🫶🏻 They deserve a Michelin star.

Incredible food! The chef married his experience with BBQ and Tuscan culinary training to bring unexpected and indescribably delicious flavors. BBQ Bolo is the most popular menu item and deservedly so. Staff was friendly and pleasant and made the experience so much more memorable and enjoyable.

Excellent experience. Enjoyed Jesus Takes The Wheel menu with a group of friends. The ambiance was a soft cozy environment with a gentle buzz of activity. The service was good and kudos to the servers for remembering the story behind each dish. Menu itself was interesting. Certain dishes stood out on top. There was quite a bit of contrast between the dishes in each pairing — usually a mellow or refreshing dish against a strong rich dish. My favourite was the beef cheeks that were braised for 5 hours. My only critic would be that I really didn’t need the meat to be delivered from North Carolina — I understand the commitment to the theme of the marriage between American and Italian food inspiration but local ingredients and a smaller footprint is good too. All in all, it was a nice treat to come here. I recommend the experience.

I know that this place is going to close at the end of the month, and it took me this long to actually get here with this type of news, but before this place goes 'bye-bye' we were able to get a reservation to see what we will be missing (treat this as your last chance as there is not much time left). The place has a subtle light green colored vibe and I really didn't know what I was walking into, but after seating and being helped by our attentive server we found out it is American BBQ mixed with Italian..... intriguing how you meld both those flavours together, so we went right at their menu. Their menu is not pages and pages vast, it's one sheet with a few appetizers here, a few pasta dishes, a few big share protein plates, some sides, and one dessert choice. So our order was the smoked steelhead tartare, the BBQ Bolo (heard this is one of their signature's that doesn't leave the menu) , lamb ragu, and an order of their side bread. On this night the place was packed, the music was interesting as I couldn't figure out if they were going country vibe, or odd top 40's, but it worked. The first dish was the tartare, and it was served with waffle potato chips, it was really refreshing, as you can really taste the mixture of fresh seafood and corainder, a great way to start the meal. The next was the bread, which was a combination of their foccacia and dinner rolls, and this was really the one that caught us off guard, to the point I wanted to ask.... do you sell these carb-delights out of a side window from the back of the restaurant. When you have had good bread, you just know, and you also know this can be the kryptonite to your whole meal as you just pick at the soft layered bread that is right in front of you, cause your hands are bored, and your mouth is bored waiting for the next dish. This came out, soft, steamy, and perfect.... I still think about it now. The BBQ Bolo was the next dish, and this was an odd one, it's spaghetti with pork sauce that is not your regular, but think of it as spaghetti done western style while being at a BBQ with a bit of kick in spice. After a few bites I understood this... and the melding of the two flavours this restaurant is doing. The last dish was the lamb ragu, this was very well done, as in execution, flavour, taste, the bits of lamb you were picking up with your fork with that perfectly cut and el dente cooked pasta, then using the bread (yup... that bread) and going to scoop up that sauce left on the plate. It was a wonderful experience and it is too bad this place will be gone, I am glad that I had that chance to come to know what this was. Luckily the staff is being transferred to their other business... I heard on Commercial street.

First off, I would absolutely recommend Say Mercy to anyone looking for a unique fusion food experience, great value, and a cozy yet charming atmosphere. Service was excellent, prompt and friendly. We got Jesus Takes the Wheel to get a large sampling of the menu for $60 per person. You will be stuffed. Worth it. We got their famous BBQ Bolo which is spaghetti with pork butt and bbq sauce. Like most of the food, the flavours are big bold rich and punch you in the mouth. Like Vancouver itself, it acts like nothing fancy at surface level, but there's a ton of subtle sophistication going on. Ultimately, the food is powerful and rich but didn't hit the mark for us. Maybe we don't love southern flavors enough, maybe it felt like an odd mix, but while we appreciated the food, we didn't love it for our own personal pallet. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend say mercy unless you had a specific desire for what they offer, or are looking for something boldly unique you may or may not love.

We decided to visit Say Mercy! after learning that they are included in Michelin's Bib Gourmand restaurants in Vancouver. Plus, who can resist $15 pasta every Thursday? That's what caught our eye! Though their menu is small, it's full of flavour. We went straight for the Thursday special and ordered 3 pastas to share. The atmosphere is lively -- perhaps a bit too lively if you prefer quieter conversations. The tables are quite close, so you might end up getting cozy with your neighbours! Here's a rundown of what we tried: * Duck Carbonara: A generous portion, but a heads-up -- it's a bit salty for my taste. * Parsnip Rotolo: Beautifully presented in a flower shape. Absolutely exquisite and my personal favourite! * BBQ BOLO: This is their most popular item. Tasty, but again, a tad salty! We also satisfied our sweet tooth with: * Banana Pudding Cannoli: Crispy cookie with a banana mousse filling, dusted with powdered sugar. A delightful mix of sweet and crunchy! * Earl Grey Trifle: Lovely flavour, but perhaps a bit too much-whipped cream for our liking. Overall, Say Mercy! offers a distinctive dining experience in the Fraser neighbourhood. The servers even provide a little background on each dish as they serve it -- still getting used to that! Food: 4/5 Should Try! Service: 4/5 Kids: 3/5 A-OK for kids. Price: $30-$40 per person (dinner) Presentation: Parking: Plenty of street parking is available in the neighbourhood. Tips: * gets Michelin dining experience at an affordable price. * highly recommend making reservations. Would I Return: Yes ‍

Enjoyed the food here! Service was attentive as well. My favourite was the lamb pasta and tuna tatare. Too bad this place is closing in November.

Came by on a weekday night for Dine Out Vancouver with a reservation. We were seated immediately and by the window which is great for people watching. Say Mercy is a combination of Italian and American BBQ...very unique and I can honestly say I have never heard of or tried cuisine with this combination previously. We opted for the Dine Out menu and a bottle of wine. The first course were breaded fish squares and prosciutto and olive skewers. Nice presentation but the fish sticks/squares were all batter...could not taste any fish. The second course was hushpuppies. They were perfectly cooked. The sauce worked well and was definitely needed. Next up was squash and burrata followed by the cornmeal crusted catfish. I loved the crispy skin on the catfish. Then the braised lamb with kale and lima beans. This was the best of the items...and falling off the bone good. Desert was a lime and cherry semifreddo and it was a nice light way to end such a great meal. The presentation and taste of each of the dishes were great as was the service but I found the smokiness of many of the dishes a little over the top...yes even understanding the concept of the restaurant. It was a very positive food experience.

Was craving Italian with a twist and heard great things about this place so we decided to check it out. We went on a Thursday which is their pasta + wine special. Their menu is small which I actually like so it's not overwhelming. We shared their backyard caesar, bbq bolo (bomb) and potato agnolotti paired with their red wine. I was pleasantly surprised with their italian/bbq concept and would come back to try out their other items as the waitress mentioned, they switch up their dishes seasonally. As they have recieved some accolates, they do book up quickly so I recommend book a table in advance. Parking is easy to find on Fraser and the ambiance is very elegant, yet homey. I do recommend coming to try them out if you've never been and I think you would leave satisfied and happy!

This was my first visit with my sis, and she treated me to a nice dinner here. We have tried the MacKenzie Room together prior to our visit a few years back. I was so happy to try this place for dinner as it did not disappoint me as the service, ambiance, and food exceeded my expectations. Located in the heart of Fraser St, the food is a hybrid between Italian and southern comfort. We started off with the Okra Hushpuppies. It was amazing! It did not taste like Okra! Afterward, we had their signature dish: catfish. It was a pleasant surprise and had a nice kick. We had the lamb after, which I recommend. It was a lot of food for two people, and there were leftovers afterward. For dessert, we had the semifredo, which was refreshing, tart, and delightful! It tasted like a deconstructed cheesecake. I will come back again and try the 'Jesus take the wheel' menu. It looked amazing!

If you want to get served within an hour of sitting down, do yourself a favor--don't come here. Even though we were seated before a nearby group, we saw that they received a basket of bread while we sat around waiting... and waiting. My friend pointed out that the hostess and servers were hugging and chatting with those diners, which made us think that those were friends of the staffs. It really felt like we, as regular customers, weren't given the same level of care. When the food finally arrived, it was underwhelming. The radicchio and lettuce salad was standard, and the BBQ bolognese, was a combination of flavors that I personally was not a fan of. Then came the entrees--after a solid 40-minute wait--ribs, chicken, and cabbage. For $60 a person (a whopping $120 total), we expected much more. The ribs were dry and far from that tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection you'd hope for. The chicken was decently cooked but under-seasoned, and the cabbage was completely flavorless. Even the collard greens were a letdown--lacking that signature vinegary taste that I was hoping for. To top it all off, we watched a couple at the next table share a single cannoli for dessert. At $120 for a couples meal, is that all we get? While the waitress noticed our frustration and brought us an extra dessert, it was too little, too late. The food was mediocre, the service inattentive, and the experience simply not worth the money. You're better off spending your time and cash somewhere that actually cares about its customers.

Say Mercy has a very well designed set menu where the courses flowed and ended with a light dessert that balanced it all. Our server was also great with her personality, frequency of her check ups on us, and her recommendations. Their Bolo Spahetti is the dish the server really recommended as one of the first dishes the chef made for the restaurant and is also consistently on their menu. It was not on the Jesus Takes The Wheel set-menu but could be added for $10 more. The dish had a sweet bbq flavor in the sauce and was delicious; though we were stuffed by the end of the meal since there was enough food in their regular menu already. All the dishes are delicious (see photos). And the pace of the meal was perfect. After dinner, the server came by with a liquor trolley for if we wanted to end the meal with a dessert wine. We were too stuffed so declined but the trolley had some interesting liquors! Will have to try next time. This restaurant is definitely one to go back to.

Delicious food Awesome service , friendly staff !! Recommend make reservations , it's busy there , especially Wednesday nights .. Enjoy

Super excited to try this place. We had a reservation at 6:30pm and the place was just getting started. I highly recommend making reservations early as the place is quite busy. It was quiet and chill and the restaurant became very vibrant and busy within 30 mins. It's not a big place so the place does feel a little tight and loud when it's full house. We went for the Jesus Takes the Wheel option which is their taste the entire menu option. However, if there are only two of you, you get a smaller menu for the tasting menu. The food is served family style. Out of the whole menu, I love their potato agnolotti, bbq bolo and definitely their rocky road tiramisu. Later, I found out that this restaurant is part of the MacKenzie Room and Collective Goods chain.

Very solid food, I've never thought to cross American bbq with Italian, so it was definitely an exciting experience. If I were to order again, I think I would try their sampler, jesus take the wheel, instead of ordering a la carte. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my food and the final price was very reasonable to me. Between three of us, we shared the Caesar salad, the bread, the bbq bolo, and the duck carbonara. I really liked the salad, the lettuce was sweet and crispy, and I liked that I could see the anchovies in the salad. I also really enjoyed the bread, they were warm and fluffy, and everything you could want from bread. The bbq bolo was good, the meat was flavourful and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The duck carbonara was also delicious, but I felt that the portion was a bit small and there was very little duck; only three thin slices on the top. The service was great, everyone was so friendly and the place was very clean and welcoming. Definitely a great date spot, and there's lots on the menu to try.

Overall a very average dining experience. Servers were all super nice, but their cocktails and food left you wishing for more. Filling for sure and decent value, but very experimental. I did enjoy their pork belly & strawberry & corn pop dessert though. And their eggplant parm wasn't half bad either. Not sure if their Jesus Take the Wheel menu changes every so often, but I'm personally not a huge fan of their current menu. And everything is slightly on the saltier side of things for my Asian palate.

Our first Michelin dining experience. The food and drinks were excellent. Thankfully we had the foresight to get reservations, since it was packed on the weekend we went. Cute decor. Our server was helpful in explaining menu offerings and recommendations. We were encouraged to share each dish as family style... we shared the hush puppies but opted to order our own entrees, the BBQ bolo pasta and meatball Texas toast. Of course we still tried bites of each dish, and were very impressed by the flavor. Everything was cooked to perfection. What a fun and unique fusion of Italian and southern food! We're still dreaming about this meal experience.

i'm honestly really sad to write this because i was soooo excited to try this place. it was a really cute restaurant, kind of chill vibes which i liked. i went for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend and from the get go i didn't love our server, i thought she was kind of standoffish and just not the most welcoming (not blaming her i know people have off days) but it really kind of set the tone for dinner which sucked. the good: amazing wine (and half price on tuesdays) - great rec from our server, and the banana cream cannoli was really good! the bad: now this is on me because i did not realize it was an italian/american bbq fusion restaurant and i would not have gone if i knew. we were considering the tasting menu but i'm a bit picky so decided against. we ordered the smoked veal & tuna, potato agnolotti, and bbq bolognese. the smoked veal & tuna was kind of bland, really nothing impressive. the potato agnolotti was incredibly rich and had some funky cheese that I just was not a fan of, the flavours did not work in my opinion. the bbq bolognese was incredibly barbecue-y and kind of spicy but it just was not a good pasta. I had heard really good things and so i'm incredibly disappointed that I had to write this. again, this kind of fusion is probably not my thing so I can't fully blame them, but i still think it's a bit lacking in their flavour synergy.

We ordered the tasting menu for 2 and added the BBQ Bolo pasta for an additional $10. Total bill came to a little over $200 incl. drinks. Overall experience was very good. Service was a 5/5. Servers very attentive, water was topped up regularly, plates and cutleries were regularly changed and dishes were explained. Food was very good. All dishes were perfectly season and had a good texture. first: Snacks - 5/5 - I can remember what it was called but the deep fried balls were very tasty. Reading other reviews that tried the same tasting menu as us. I thought the snack should be more than 2 balls. I noticed other customers had 4 mini items. second: Okra & 'Ndjua Hushpuppies - 5/5 - hushpuppies were good and I like the cornmeal in the hushpuppies as they give some nice texture. third: Squash & Burrata - 4/5 - very good. Almonds makes a nice texture. forth: Cornmeal Crusted Catfish - 3/5 - good. Using cornmeal as the crust was interesting. Sauce and the chipotle peppers compliments the dish well. Add on: BBQ Bolo - this is their signature dish. BBQ pork bolognese sauce. It was good. fifth: Half Creole Hen - 4/5 - creole sauce and the braised kale was nice. Chicken was tender. sixth: Rocket Pop Semifreddo - 4/5 - refreshing dessert. I like the cherry mousse and lime curd. The milk crumble gave the dessert a nice texture. Review Rating: 1 - Poor, 2 - OK, 3 - Good, 4 - Very Good, 5 - Excellent

I had the Family Style Tasting Menu, which included every dish on the menu if four people ordered it. Food felt endless! My favourites were: The rolls - so soft and warm and cozy like a hug Scallop crudo - always a soft spot for this Shrimp and grits - didn't think I would like this much but ended up loving how creamy it is! BBQ bolo - lives up to the hype, the bit of sweet just gets me Rocky road tiramisu - despite not liking rocky road, and not liking salted caramel, ugh, how is it so good

We were really excited to check out this recent addition to the Fraser 'hood touting an Italian American BBQ menu. The decor is delightful. Our server was great. There was a steady buzz of diners enjoying "Jesus Take the Wheel" that's the Wednesday chef's choice meal served family style. We started with the AmberJack Crudo. It was fantastic. Like Italian-style sashimi served with fine herbs, fresh segments of grapefruit and small diced kohlrabi. Delicate and delicious. Maybe our pairing choices were off - the Crudo arrived at our table with Tater Salad. Which was tasty but completely overpowered the Crudo. For the pasta course we ordered the Duck Confit Carbonara and the Potato Agnolloti. They were delicious, but very rich and heavy. Between two of us, we could only eat about half of each dish. Anyways, maybe it was our choices, but I felt like the menu needed more balance. The dishes did not complement each other. It's not easy to hatch a new concept - "A"effort. I hope the menu evolves and grows over time.

Word on the street is a Michelin guide has been published for Vancouver, with Say Mercy receiving a Bib Gourmand! Say Mercy is a tribute to Italian and Southern flavours, offering the tastiest dishes! Due to dietary restrictions with pork, I was unable to try the restaurant's tasting menu, and instead tried select dishes off their normal menu - boy oh boy was it delicious. Their 'Say Spritz!' cocktail was refreshing, while the beets and cornbread was the perfect hint of sweet and savoury. The ambiance gives the warmth of a romantic old school charm.

another stop on julia's michelin journey - the bib gourmand was well deserved for say mercy! i have also now tried all 3 sister restaurants with a! monthly catch up sesh for my foodie group and i had a brainfart on who's name the reso was under - it was mine btw. the restaurant is cute and chic - slightly intimate and homey but semi-classy enough to take your date here for a special event or just for date night (i saw a few ). we were seated right away and our wonderful server, shea, came by and asked how we were doing then left us to peruse the drinks menu. s wanted to be healthy and had the green tea lemonade - it was tart (for her) and very refreshing. i had the say spritz to start - your average aperol spritz - and i thoroughly enjoyed the white (arneis) that i had after that. a had one of reds on the menu - flavourful but light on the tannins. for food, we did the jesus take the wheel tasting menu - 3 appetizers, 1 pasta, 3 mains, and 2 desserts. be prepared to be full at the end!! some of the items on the menu seem to be rotating so what i had might not be available by the time you go - so FYI! for appies, we had the beets & cornbread, squash & seeds and the tuna tartare. everything was too tart for s basically lol a and i found them all to be good palette teasers. the cornbread was on the sweeter side. squash & seeds was a winner for this course - the tart, pickled thinly sliced squash and the in-house cracker was the perfect match. the tuna tartare lacked a little for presentation but it was a nice dish still overall. bbq bolo was the pasta choice - a play of the OG bolognese spaghetti. we all found the bbq to be on the sweeter side - this was noted by the server that served the dish. the spaghetti was perfectly al dente and the little kick in the bolognese did help take some of the sweetness away. mains we had the halibut saltimbocca, humboldt squid & shrimp and the smoked shortrib. we all loved the smoky flavour of the short rib and how it was braised perfectly. the squid & shrimp was a very interesting combo, and the chickpea fries were something else. the fennel slaw was the highlight of the halibut dish - the halibut was creamy and the prosciutto helped to add a saltiness to the dish. finally for dessert, rocky road tiramisu and strawberry rhubarb tart. these were both tied for best dish in this category. i loved how rocky road(y) the tiramisu - the meringue was a nice taste and the brownie bites the strawberry rhubarb tart was well liked by s - she liked the tartness of the dish this time lol and the bourbon ice cream - that was a delightttt cute date place or just a place to go to for good food. def will come back to try the other dishes!

Been here twice now and both times left pretty disappointed. The first time, food was pretty good but portion size was NOT reflected in the price. We ordered some sort of roasted meat which was over $40, and I think you'd struggle to find anyone who would feel full after eating just that. Over a year later, having only vague recollections of that first trip we tried it again. I'm glad to say that they seem to have improved on portion size, but their supposed best seller, the BBQ Bolo was so incredibly disappointing. They have some fun sounding cocktails on the menu, we ordered the Say Spritz! and the South Carolina Gold. The Spritz was great for my partner, but the SC Gold had such muddled flavours that the whiskey, maple and brandy didn't come through at all and it just tasted like salty, generic whiskey cocktail. We ordered Shrimp and Grits to share which was the highlight of the night this dish was truly well done. The pickled fennel and chili really balanced out the richness of the grits, and the shrimp and mussels were well cooked and added some great texture On the other hand, stay away from the BBQ Bolo. Supposedly they infuse peach nectar into the sauce, but it honestly tasted like spaghetti with bottled BBQ sauce, with a few tiny chunks of pork mixed in. The sauce was so cloyingly sweet that there was barely any flavour from the meat or anything else that mightve gone into it. Probably won't be back if I can help it. Although who knows, maybe third time is the charm here.

What can I say, I was very disappointed with the menu- although the server was nice, the food menu was questionable. The pasta with bbq sauce ... what??Caesar salad with taco seasoning ? Why? We came there of the duck carbonara but they were sadly sold out. I would encourage a simpler menu. .

I write this review with a full heart and a full belly on a Thursday night post-Say Mercy. What a great experience this dinner was! Our party of 4 opted for the Jesus Take the Wheel set after learning that we would be receiving every dish on the menu. That's right. Every single dish, full portion. For $60 per person, this is a pretty good deal! 4 appetizers, 6 mains, a bread basket, and 2 desserts. Let's start with the highlights: - Bruschetta: the spring peas and ricotta on perfectly toasted fluffy bread were so refreshing - Blackened Rockfish Crudo: the smoked seared fish plus buttermilk vinaigrette was a nice combo - Creole Cacciucco: lovey, rich tomato sauce!! - the house made milk bread. Possibly highlight of the whole meal Could be improved: - Beef Cheeks: suuuuper tender, but I found it was a tad undersalted which surprised me, since everything else on the menu was well seasoned. I also wish there were more raisins for more flavor/acid pop - BBQ Tartare: great flavor but would be better with some crackers as it was quite a big mustard punch on its own All the servers were fantastic--really knew their stuff and described the food beautifully. I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed enjoying a multi-course meal over several hours. Truly a lovely night.

Say Mercy is an interesting and eclectic Italian and BBQ "fusion" restaurant. The space is small and quaint and the service was excellent. The food was good but the portions were a bit underwhelming especially for the prices they are commanding. Overall it was a nice place to try out but I'm not sure if it will make it to my "go to" list.

I came here with a very good friend. The restaurant surprised us with a card at our table when we arrived to celebrate the occasion. We had the dine out vancouver special. It was $130 for two. Portions are small but the food is really rich so it was filling. The meal comes family style so everything is shared. Definitely enjoyed the spaghetti and short ribs. The food is good and the service was superb. Our plates and cutlery were changed almost after each dish. The restaurant was packed but they have lots of staff to assist the patrons. Good thing we aren't big eaters and weren't that hungry because the portions aren't big.

Solid 4.25/5 Stars TL:DR - Great Food (-1 dish), service was a bit Jekyll/Hyde, Wine is Heckin' Overpriced, Tables are WAY to Close Together Eaten Here Twice, once was the Jesus Take the Wheel taster course The food here is terrific, seafood and chicken (the HEN!) dishes are outstanding and where the real spirit of fusion shines; order four helpings of the Amberjack Crudo. The Beef Cheeks and Grits are over the top decadent and I'd happily pass away after this meal and a glass of bourbon while enjoying their Buttermilk Orange Panna Cotta. The BBQ Bolo pasta that everyone raves about is worth it, but you absolutely must enjoy the flavours of Smoke and BBQ sauce or it is a real turn off. The one dish I would steer clear of is the Tartare, it comes across like something you would throw together while hella stoned. Maybe its the hickory sticks that lead me to believe this was dreamed up from the business end of a bong, not entirely sure, but its a real punch in the face kind of taste that covers the delicate nature of Tartare. Somewhat choked I haven't tasted the Eggplant Parm yet Both times I found that the service was outstanding until the restaurant started to fill up, then everything became a bit of a race. Understandable given the nature of the industry at the moment, but the casual and slow approach at the table was a better experience. More attention seemed to be given to the larger sittings, then my table romantic table of two. Cocktails were epic, well crafted and boozed up but 5oz glass of low end red wine was $15. Be prepared to intimately know your neighboring table, the amount of courteous 'excuse' my ass or crotch in your face while people swing in and out of the seats was palpable. Super clean bathrooms, wonderful wallpaper.

We went with the Jesus take the wheel between our party of three. It was plenty of food for us. That evening we were served the Amberjack Crudo and BBQ Tartare to start, the BBQ Bolo and Seafood Risotto and bread as the mid, the Creole Cacciucco and Beef Cheeks for the main, and the Cannoli and Panna Cotta for dessert. It was a great way to taste most of the menu. Luckily we did because everything was delicious. I personally enjoyed the Beef Cheeks - it was extremely tender. Food was well cooked, presented, and packed with flavours and textures. Restaurant was cozy. Service was also exceptional, staff was friendly and attentive. Would definitely go back at some point.

Sorry even with Jesus at the wheel we're not quite the believers . We came here expecting Italian with a barbeque twist but ultimately left puzzled and wanting . Don't think any of the six courses we had screamed either Italian or BBQ , except maybe the risotto and smoked short rib . Sure crudo and prosciutto made an appearance but they in no way wow-ed us in any manner . Being their " signature " dish of course we had to try the BBQ Bolognese as well but it was waaay too al dente ( and achingly sweet ) for our liking so we sent it back and basically the response we got was " that's how it's made and nothing can be done about it " . Instead of describing it as the perfect ending we actually found the ricotta cheesecake to be the saving grace of the whole evening - with its firmer than average texture paired with vanilla cream it was heavenly ! Maybe Jesus did have a hand in some way afterall : )

Went here for my birthday and boy oh boy was I impressed with this restaurant! I had a party of 7 for my birthday and the servers and hosts were very welcoming and attentive. I really recommend the "Jesus take the wheel" set menu option as we got to try over 9 dishes! (My picture only shows 9 cuz I ate the other ones too quickly) All the food was excellent and so unique. My highlight was the pannacotta as it had granita on top which cuts through the cream and left me feeling refreshed The portions were generous as well which left my party very full and happy (there were 2 of each dish for my party of 7 in the photo grid attached)

3.5 Rounded up. Basically: What Josy A. said. Full disclosure. I routinely smoke meat at home. A lot. If you're ever in my neighbourhood during the weekend in the late spring, summer, or early fall, you'd think there was a forest fire, or a house fire somewhere. Except no fire trucks, and no firemen for you ladies. Pfffffft....... That said, the meat I smoke has a much heavier smoke flavour. I typically use hickory, which on a relative scale, has a stronger flavour than fruit trees such as cherry and apple. I also smoke for a minimum of 4 hours. Say Mercy used a combination of oak and hickory, if I recall correctly. Yes, I asked. This place gave me inspiration to smoke meat on my own and add it to pasta. It's just another arrow in my quiver. Food wise, the meat had a much lighter smoke flavour than what I am accustomed to. After all, this is an "Italian" restaurant so I can expect it to be, "Did you want some smoked meat with your pasta?" instead of, "Did you want some pasta with your smoked meat?" Other things to note. I found the portions sizes on the smaller side relative to the pricing. Not a deal breaker. I wouldn't order the jelly donut, as mentioned. The smoked pork butt spaghetti bolognese was my fave.

My girlfriend took me here for dinner last night and I really enjoyed the food. Pros - good Italian food with a twist (think BBQ bolognese) Excellent ravioli (sorry, forgot the name) Delicious banana pudding cannoli (the last time I had good cannoli was in Italy, it's hard to find a good one) Good and attentive service Cons - Dish can be hotter (it was warm when it arrived at our table) Kinda noisy although we were all spaced out I would definitely come back because there are a few more dishes I would love to try.

This place was not what I was expecting when I entered. The interior wasn't well decorated and it was extremely loud. It almost gave me senior-home vibes LOL however, it really encompasses that "southern American" restaurant feel which is what they were going for. Anything else would've felt way too "fine-dining" and fancy. The food and service was incredible. There is a lot of thought and intention behind each dish, and it really shows in the flavours. My favourite was the risotto. I honestly can't describe how good it tastes. The only thing was that it was small portions for the price and we shared all 3 dishes with 3 people. I highly recommend checking this place out but not if you don't like high noise levels :)

My friend and I went for dinner last month. It was our first time here. I wanted to support this establishment after seeing all the hard work they have done during Covid to help those in need of food. We started with some homemade bread and they were delicious. The aroma of fresh baked bread and the texture of its fine quality was a great start to our dinner. The Beet Salad had a very nice dressing that made us want more. Fresh and enticing. I had the BBQ spaghetti bolognese. It was a very hearty dish. Pasta was cooked al dente. I had leftover sauce and was so tempted to soak it up with some bread but by then, I was just too full. My friend had the eggplant parm and really enjoyed it as well. The cannoli dessert was a very nice finishing touch. It was crisp and crunchy. I recommend eating with your hands as we try to be polite and cut it up and made loud clunking noises with our cutleries. The filling were decadent and it is definitely something I will want to order again next time. Service was incredible. We ended up sitting a bit longer and we were not rushed out. Look forward to be back soon!

4 of us attended say mercy and had the Jesus takes the wheel. This is a nine course meal for sixty dollars per person. Our reservation was for 630 but coming from the burbs we were late. We had a gift certificate for 150$. With wine and a drink our total bill came over $200 with tip. The food was fabulous and the waitress explained each dish and what was in it. It is a great restaurant. The downfall was it was industrial ceiling and extremely noisy. We were shouting throughout the meal. Diners came in waves so it was always busy. When it is so noisy you can't even think it was not for me. I prefer a little quieter so that you don't have to yell.

This is a great place with great service. We opted for the "Jesus Takes the Wheel" tasting menu and it was a great deal for $60 per person. Our servers were amazing and described each dish as it was presented. Every dish was awesome and we definitely will come back again.

Impeccable is how I would describe the experience. The 'Jesus Take The Wheel' option is really the way to go. Food is fantastic, the flavor is best described as FUN. You absolutely need to try it to experience for yourself.

Attention: their tasting menu is called "Jesus Take the Wheel" :-D The story behind this restaurant involves a husband who had his culinary training in Italy, worked in a BBQ restaurant, and fell in love with his southern wife! The food is Italian and American BBQ fusion. The bread course (Parker house rolls and the fluffiest focaccia you'll ever taste) are sure enough to win you over in the beginning of the menu. Everything works so well together, and the price is an incredible value! Definitely recommend for everyone visiting Vancouver. The Michelin Bib Gourmand is well deserved.

Wanted to like this place but find it quite underwhelming.. Preferred food quality and service at Mackenzie Room...

Say Mercy is a new addition to the Fraser neighbourhood. I anticipated their Opening Day as I found out that they were a sister restaurant of The Mackenzie Room!! Oh, how loved that place!! My friends and I got a chance to try lots of dishes from the menu and they all tasted just as good as the Mackenzie Room!!! I am so happy that they made a decision to open another spot in a whole different neighbourhood as it is kinda hard for me to get to Powell St. I ordered a Risotto. It was warm and delicious. It was definitely portioned but I think it was worth the price. The risotto wasn't too salty and I'd ask for another round but I know I shouldn't. I will bring everyone I know back here.

Say Mercy serves up pasta dishes that are mixed with American barbecue flavours. The main reason we came, was none of us were sure what that would taste like, but we were keen to try! What I loved: - The meat was all fantastic! - I especially loved the bbq spaghetti! It made me giggle that there is already a review saying "no Italian will enjoy it." Don't come here for traditional Italian pasta, but if you have an open mind, you might enjoy the foodie-twists. - I loved the parsnip and oxtail ravioli. - We had a vegan in our group, and although there was nothing vegan on the menu, the chef made her a tasty off-menu pasta. - The bread was really good- it didn't come with butter, but it was tasty all alone. - The waitress was a total sweetie. What was less great: - It is super loud! We were a table of five, and I could not hear the people at the other end of the table at all as the acoustics were just so bad. Don't come here in a large group unless you have truly booming voices! - The beignet was the least impressive item. It was just a jam doughnut. I visited Say Mercy with a group of yelp friends, so there might be a few more reviews on the way!

The newest addition to the Fraserhood, Say Mercy! is my current favourite neighbourhood spot. The group behind Say Mercy from the Mackenzie Room. While I haven't been, I have only heard great things. The cuisine is American BBQ with Italian flair, and I was intrigued to see what would be on their menu. My friend and I arrived at 7pm on a Saturday night with no reservations. The place was full but they managed to squeeze us in given that we were able to finish in an hour. We took up the offer. The place seats around 60 people, and it has a retro vibe to it. From the light fixtures to the art deco era wallpaper to the overall sage colour scheme, I'm really liking it. The wine list is carefully curated, and I enjoyed a glass of my new favourite red, a Synchromesh Cab Franc. For food, we decided on Shrimp & Grits, Cacio e Pepe, Barbeque Bologonese, and a side of the roasted cabbage. The Shrimp & Grits were absolutely delicious. The grits sat in a light slightly spicy tomato broth- think bouillabaisse. The dish also has mussels, cooked perfectly. Small bits of the fennel bulb added texture and an interesting flavour to the grits. We devoured this dish. The roasted cabbage was served with a fontina cream sauce, crispy shallots and chives. The cabbage was soft and tender, and the cream sauce accompanied with the shallots perfected each bite. Next, the pastas. The Barbeque Bolognese was amazing. The house made spaghetti, with the smoked pork butt and pancetta results in a mingling of textures and flavours. This is how a bolognese should always be. The cacio e pepe, using a casarecce pasta, was simple but also delicious. Buttery and peppery, it was so satisfying. I love how such simple ingredients can result in something wonderful. The service was pleasant and quick; they were able to serve us our meal within the one hour time limit before we had to give our table up. This is definitely a great addition to the neighbourhood, and I can't wait to return. Reservations are accepted, which is probably a good idea if you're planning to try this spot out.

Lovely little restaurant.service was excellent. The veal had a very hard , bland coating. The sauce was nice . The eggplant dish was nice , the arugula salad was bitter. The banana cannoli was disappointing.hardly any banana taste . So hit & miss

Preston (name on bill) was an excellent server. 3 of us did the 'Jesus Take the Wheel' - letting the restaurant choose our food and my husband and daughter chose what they wanted. We all had different favourites, though everything was great (faves were: cucumber Carbonara, tuna tartare, shrimp and grits, and the short rib). We all agreed desserts were outstanding (glad we doubled up the n them!) Thanks so much.

Say mercy is a michelin bib restaurant meaning that it is a michelin quality restaurant but the price range is under $30pp. We ordered the Jesus take the wheel 12 course set menu. It is $65pp and we got this instead of dine out because we were told that it is more worth it since we got 12 courses instead of 6 courses for dine out. Say mercy 12 tasting courses took us for an italian fusion cuisine all the way from appetizer to dessert. Overall, the tasting courses but wasnt very exceptional. All of the dishes from the appetizer till the dessert were just good enough. It is michelin bib for a reason instead of michelin star rated. Say mercy got a lot of learning to be better and keep striving forward. I hope you guys can be better in the future when the time i have to try it. Nonetheless, the bread was super amazing. I feel that keep it up guys with the bread. It feels say mercy does have the hand for bakery though. Published on main and say mercy should collaborate honestly. With the aid of the bread from say mercy, published on main would be way superb! Recommended to try though. Cheers!

Another welcome addition to Fraser Street. This restaurant is growing popularity. Full house at open 5 pm Friday February 14: possibly because it was Valentine's Day. The food was generously portion; all pasta and bread is made in house. Here is what we ordered: radicchio lettuce salad: amazing, generously portion & dressing was smooth and silky. Dorado crudo: you can taste the fresh herbs and the fresh fish. FYI Dorado means Golden & Crudo mean Raw Fish. BBQ Bolognese: The pasta was cooked to perfection with a melt in your mouth rich sauce. Oxtail & Parsnip Agnolotti: needed to try this... expect a lighter pasta dish in soup base. Although the flavours were light I could tell a lot of work went into the process of making this dish. Menu is small and simple; probably best so they can focus on perfecting each dish. Wine list small and simple too. Only reason I gave this restaurant a 4 star is I felt rush as seating was only 1.5 hours.

fantastic service. we really enjoyed the tasting menu. The flavors were unique but everything went together beautifully.

Fun and vibrant atmosphere. Friendly and efficient service. My friend and I ordered the cornbread and beets appy, tuna tartare, pasta, and the shrimp with squid and chickpea fries. Everything was delicious although some extra cornbread would've been favourable. The shrimp and squid was our ultimate favourite. Have never before tasted squid so tender, juicy, succulent. The chickpea fries were crispy on the surface and fluffy inside. Lovely! Adore the quirky and eclectic decor. The restaurant isn't huge, but with every table occupied and music blasting, it was extremely loud that I often had to shout across to my friend. Despite that I look forward to returning soon.

Pleasantly Surprised! My spouse and I went to celebrate our wedding anniversary and we were treated like rock stars! They had a small flower arrangement for us on the table when we arrived, plus a card. This is not normally done at most restaurants, so never expected it. Each server who was working that night came to wish us Happy Anniversary at some point. The food was delicious and well presented, we ordered the Tasting Menu plus pasta as an extra dish. We were stuffed by the time we left. The only negative part of the night were 3 loud annoying guests who were seated next to us, but that had nothing to do with Say Mercy. Happily recommend.

This place seriously never disappoints. We got the Jesus take the wheel family style 5 course meal. Everything was absolutely amazing. With the family style menu we got to try almost everything on the menu. My fav dishes were definitely the bbq bolo, bbq tartare and the bread pudding cannoli. If you love bbq U have to try the bbq bolo.