The Merchant Tavern

Absolutely loved my dinner at The Merchant Tavern. The wonderful service, to the amazing food down to me ordering the the seared scallops on the night specials twice. The experience was exceptional. Thank you to the chef. Would definitely recommend :)

The location and building are impressive. We did not make a reservation but they accommodated us at the bar for full service. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The food was exceptional. The swordfish sashimi was so delicate and balanced flavours expertly. The tuna carpaccio was also very good, although they can cut back a bit on the banana peppers so the tuna can shine through. Our mains were the NL Cod and the Shrimp Conchiglie. Both extraordinary! Highly recommend for a night out.

Spectacular! Excellent choice when booking reservations in NL. The food was unbelievable, service was prompt and friendly & I honestly wish I ate there more than once on my trip. It was soooo delicious!!!

Experienced my first ever tasting menu Started the night with some sparkling and white 🍷 First course was an assortment of tuna crudo, scallop cheviche, NL snowcrabs and merasheen bay oysters. The crudo was a burst of umami. The sour and refreshing flavour of the cheviche wakes up your mouth perfectly before all other courses. Second course was a pan fried Newfoundland cod with a lemon-butter sauce. The brininess from the capers was wonderfully unique to my south asian palette. Most favorite dish of the night. Third course was a lobster spaghettini with lobster bisk. Al dente pasta, creamy bisk, sweet lobster. What more you can ask for! Fourth and the main course was a rendered duck breast with parsnip purée and butter roasted parsnip and mushrooms. Finished with a smoky jus. Fifth and the final course was a coffee cake topped with orange mascarpone on a base of caramel sauce. Perfectly sweet, balanced with the mascarpone whip. The Sauternes at the end felt like a course by itself

The 5 course meal from chef - absolutely delicious and amazing experience. Service and drinks also very very good. Thank you, we will be back.

Tonight was not my first visit to Merchant Tavern, and I have always enjoyed the food and service. This evening was another dining pleasure. We started with the bread and butter (a sundried tomato version), which was simply delicious. Next, the generously sized salad of arugula with sweetened whole cranberries, orange slivers, and pepitas in a light and creamy dressing. On to the NL cod entree. I can't say enough about the thin and seasoned crispy top crust covering a perfectly cooked cod filet - moist yet held together. It melted in the mouth. Served with a caper sauce, roasted mini potatoes, and crisp asparagus. Next, bigoli (thick pasta noodles) in a leek cream sauce with roasted mushrooms and parmesan. We finished with an exquisite and aptly named Celebration of Parsnip - a parsnip and brown butter cake topped with parsnip ice cream and crispy parsnip curls. The ice cream was more like butter. The flavours were subtle, and the varying textures created a unique dessert experience that elevated the lowly parsnip to rock-star status. If my cod photo appears to show a small serving, it's because it's just my portion of the shared plate. Interior - The seating areas are dim and romantic on the right side of the restaurant with standard-height tables. On the left side are the hightop tables and bright, tall windows. The centre square is a large bar with seating on three sides. Lots of options to suit your mood. Make sure you make a reservation. This is a busy, vibey spot showcasing both casual and business attire. Final note: Although we ordered from the menu, there was a chef's tasting menu.

Fantastic culinary experience. Great selection of locally sourced proteins, kids friendly and wonderful service. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming.

We have eaten many times at Merchant Tavern and have noticed the quality of our meal decline over the years. There was a time where the food was both delicious and aesthetically pleasing, however this was not our recent experience. As for the service the waiter was unaware of all the daily specials but thankfully the sommelier clarified them for us. We were quite please with the sommelier wine recommendations.

I have been here quite a few times. I've also had a big group in "The Vault", which is so cool to experience. The food of course is phenomenal and drinks are always good, a little more the pricey side but that's what you pay for good service and atmosphere.

Wasn't really all that impressed. I wasn't treated at the door. I then just went to the bar. Bartenders were really good and friendly. The food was just like any other pub; but there are some good choices too. The vinegar pie is NO longer on the menu. I was super disappointed. I tried a blueberry tres leches cake. It wasn't terrible but wasn't the best. They seem to try and create a pub environment and a casual setting in same restaurant. I personally feel like it's loud and not great for a small personal experience. I would return to try other offerings on the menu.

Food and drinks were fantastic. We sat at the bar and had excellent service. The mussels were out of this world. Large place with a great atmosphere. Would definitely eat here again.

We came here on a Tuesday evening without a reservation and sat at the bar (recommend making a reservation, this place is popular!). We ordered some cocktails and appetizers followed by the main and dessert. The nacho appetizer was topped totally with nacho fixings and my main Steak Frites was cooked to the requested temperature and had nice grill flavor. I didn't partake in the dessert, but those ordered by the group looked decadent! Service was friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is very cool - open concept, laid back but sophisticated.

The Merchant Tavern is a great restaurant in downtown St John's. We came here on our first night visiting from Toronto. We didn't have a reservation and were initially seated at the bar until a table became available. St. John's is known for its seafood and so we ordered the mussels, arctic char and snow crab. Everything was delicious, especially the fresh snow crabs. We also tried several cocktails including Secret Garden (Tequila) and Monkey Business (Whiskey), which were both excellent.

Great atmosphere and staff! Good was awesome, best piece of Cod I've had in a very long time. Super fresh and delicious!

Pretty good food and drinks, but very, very slow service. We had a group dinner on a weeknight. Surprisingly, the main restaurant was very busy - maybe they didn't expect this? Our service was very slow, and sometimes drinks and/or food didn't arrive until we prompted them. The food was pretty good, but not outstanding (admittedly, we had a limited menu). The highlight for me was their maple cinnamon Old Fashioned. Excellent!

Always quality meals, great service and changing menu. Always busy and a good selection of cocktails and wines.

The food, service, and ambiance here were amazing!! I wish I had taken photos but we ate everything so fast I didn't have the chance. Menu highlights for me were: oysters, scallop ceviche, scallop and pea risotto, beef tartare. This was my favourite restaurant during my trip to St John's - highly recommend!

Food was awesome and drinks were delicious! Bar was overwhelmed and sent our drinks to 3 different bartenders only to have the first bartender serve them 10 minutes before our food arrived.

(Long) I cannot remember the last time that we had a fantastic meal and such a good time. We stopped into The Merchant at 6:30 on a Saturday evening. We knew our chances at getting a table either inside or out was very slim. We asked about sitting at the bar, and it too was full. The hostess must have seen the disappointment on our faces when she looked up and asked, "Would consider a seat at the Oyster Bar?" I said, "Is it a full menu?" She said, "Of course. And led us through the restaurant to a 6 seat bar in the corner of the restaurant. What we found was a treasure! We were greeted warmly by the gentleman behind the bar, and as we looked over the menu he asked what we had planned to order for an appetizer. We said, "The Newfoundland Greens and Fritters." About five minutes later he presented us with Newfoundland Atlantic Salmon on toasted bread with aioli, Newfoundland, greens, and Newfoundland tomatoes in a yogurt sauce, and 2 fresh Newfoundland Oysters. We hadn't ordered any of it but what a treat! Our meals were equally delicious, but watching the entire staff prepare appetizers and entrees was as entertaining as watching a Broadway show. They seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as we were! If you go, and there doesn't seem to be room for you ask about seating at the oyster bar. You will not be disappointed.

Food is okay. Nothing spectacular to be honest unless you're into hamburgers. Lamb dish was just okay. Pasta didn't taste homemade and steak was tough like shoe leather. Certainly not expected given the hype. Service was okay. Loud environment but vibrant.

Excellent food and service from Reese!! Wine and chefs take on traditional menu items was refreshing.

We enjoyed a really nice dinner with oysters to start followed by mussels (which were fresh and beautifully steamed). Wine list was equally nice.

A tremendously mediocre meal for the money they ask. Cold fries, gristly steak and bleh desserts. Cocktails were top notch, but they should be for the price. I will not return

Excellent food and drinks.you can't go wrong here. Nice atmosphere. Service is on par with the quality of the food and drinks.

I was disappointed that Raymond's was closed for the season, but The Merchant also had an excellent reputation, which Raymond's supported. I was hopeful that the lunch menu would be impressive, but I was once again disappointed. There was a wedding that night, so no dinner for us. We settled for the squash ricotta cappellacci and moose/pork lasagna. All of the lasagna noodles were stuck together and the ground meat mixture was a bit dry and crumbly, in a not-so-great way. Minimal cheese and seasonings unfortunately. The cappellacci was more complex, with a rich creamy sauce with a hint of complimentary acidity. I was hoping for more squash in the filing, but it seemed to be nothing but ricotta inside with tiny diced squash on top. The Nomel cocktail was on the sweet side for my liking, but I appreciated the limoncello getting to dance with sparkling wine. The rim was delightful, with a hint of spice added to the citrus-infused sugar. The bathroom had me cracking up with this antique picture of a very dissaproving woman looking down on you in the toilet. I appreciated the wild river mint and rosemary soap as well.

I'm keeping this review simple because it doesn't need the hype. Amazing Brunch! Awesome industrial setting located on Water Street in downtown St. John's. Because of their good reputation I couldn't help myself. With close friends - we ordered Pancakes, Fish Cake and Scrambled Cheesy Eggs. Everything was amazing. Washed down with a special champagne it was the perfect brunch. I can't wait to come back.

awesome burger great ambiance and service would highly recommend must go in Downtown

You can find it. Just look for the "M" on the stodgy building. The restaurant is a re-purposed bank and should be the fate of most all the local banks across the United States and Canada. There is a large room with a long bar and lots of 2 and 4 tops. The vault has been turned into an intimate dining room suitable for taking a knee and offering that diamond chip and a promise of forever. There is a secluded glassed in section with a few tables which was the former Loan Officer's office where the automaton smiled sheepishly said no to everything or bared fangs and claws and called your barely overdue note. Now, it is set up for civilized behavior and dining. Shows you what Wells Fargo could have been instead of following the Madoff model. There is a pastry/pasta station next to a huge open kitchen where line cooks assemble gorgeous plates. You know you're in the right spot when you see the Hobart Mixer tucked away in the corner like the showroom Tucker you have covered in the back of your 10 car garage. A good sign this kitchen and you know what's for serious adults. The Staff: Who is totally pleasant and friendly early in the AM without being caffeinated, tranquilized or inebriated? Certainly not bankers. JB had the patience of a Veterinarian and made me a happy puppy. The Vibe: Hardy eaters devouring heroic portions of excellent vittles to better endure the hard life in NFLD which requires an extended pinkie while sipping the Semillion. The Bar: Opens at 11;00 AM. There is something for every taste from those who think a Pinot Noir is a Philippine murder mystery on Netflix to Bill Koch who would cheerfully murder Rudy Kurniawan for sullying his legendary wine collection. I had a magnificent Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling Rose Private Cuvee Brut from Nova Scotia not because I sip with pinkie extended but because Brother JB said it was unique and I'd like it. I did indeed. The Food: Be prepared to be sad when you can't order everything. Watching the plates come out of the kitchen is like having runway seats at the Vogue Couture 2018. The Soup 'n Sandwich daily special was a deep well of garden fresh Tomato Soup and baby Basil. This is definitely not what you gagged down at school which put you off Tomatoes until now. This soup was thick, rustic and satisfying. It came with a Grilled Two Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Bacon on house baked Brioche bread. This was the perfect day time dalliance (well, one of them anyway) and just enough to top off the tank and yet not make you feel like you were training to take Joey Chestnut's crown. The Fish and Chips rivaled Red Fish, Blue Fish on Victoria Island but without the two hour wait in the sun. The best Fish and Chips anywhere on the Planet is at both ends of Canada and better still, something Trump can't levy a tariff on...yet. Fish and Chips should replace the Maple Leaf on the Nation's Flag and the version here should be a National treasure. The Cod was fresh line caught, surrounded by a batter that was bone jarring crunchy. The fish remained moist, tender and inviting 30 minutes after service (which is more than you can say about most honeymoons). The Merchant Tavern's Fish 'n Chips could make any senseless fish hater beg for more. The Fries were easily the measure of the potato twigs from In 'n Out or perfect potatoes at Petit Trois in LA and these are in the hunt for the Golden Potato Award which I just made up. Finally, I had the Vinegar Pie with Sagamite Crust just because I never knew someone made a pie with Vinegar as the star. (And, no, Sagamite is not some inedible sludge scraped off a rotted tree stump in an Australian swamp. It is hulled Indian Corn.) Think Pecan Pie with no Pecans. Just a hint of Apple Cider Vinegar to keep it honest. (Maybe our politicians should have a tablespoon before they go to work each day). It was topped with Tetley Tea Ice Cream on a bed of Graham Crumbs and the pie's tail end was treated to a ladle of Appleberries. Put a Lady Apple in a small room with a Raspberry, a feather bed and soft music and...voila, an Appleberry. This was absolutely delicious in a sweetly subtle way. The Merchant Tavern is where I'm putting my money as the yield on investment is terrific.

Always a stop when in NL !! Food is always amazing & love the atmosphere. Can be a little noisy but still a must try,

Food, drinks and service is great. Great for a night out with friends or date night. They are very busy so I would highly recommend reservations.

Good brunch. Spicy chicken and waffles was pretty amazing. Unfortunately I was not able to try their dinner menu. I will be back.

The service was top notch from all the waitstaff. The ambiance was nice having an old pub feel. The food was great especially the deserts. Giving it a 4 star cause the bar tender wasn't great.

Had high hopes for this restaurant. The quality of the food is good, if over priced. My two stars is for my pasta meal, which was tiny. It looked like an appetizer. Don't come here if you're hungry. This restaurant has good reviews...and seems to know it. Plenty of attitude, just not much food.

WOW!!!! I don't have words to explain how spectacular this place was! For my birthday dinner on a Friday night, we had reservations at 8:45 pm. We had a slight wait for our table, but not too long Ambiance: it was bustling, busy, with a friendly cool, and somewhat hipster crowd. Everyone enjoying their night. Great Vibe! They had a gentleman come in later and played live music and he was great! Food: honestly it was spectacular from beginning to end!! We started with some oysters, they were shucked and really cold and came with 2 hot sauce options. Then.. a must try: Cod Tacos - these little bites of heaven were light, crispy, and so tasty!! I could have eaten them all night. For our mains we had the chicken with creamed spinach and potatoes. Which was very tasty with crispy skin and juicy meat. The creamed spinach was also delicious We also had the smaller portion of the lamb casarecce pasta dish. The sauce is a "jus" along with peas .. and my goodness, the pasta was perfect al dente and that lamb in that jus... just wow!!! The half size portion was more than plenty ! We enjoyed a dessert of lemon madeleines with the vanilla custard and they were a beautiful light and delicious end to our fantastic meal!! Overall this was an amazing experience of food and ambiance. Loved the easy flow, as there was time between our courses and we did not feel rushed ! A definite must try!!

Good food. Reasonable portions. Expensive drinks. Great atmosphere. Great dessert. It was good to try it out at least, but I'm sure there is plenty more out there that's comparable quality for a lower price point. The staff was impeccably coiffed and young, which means they are being intentionally hip; with intention comes a price, sorry to say. In regards to specific dishes, we ordered a cod that was smaller than we would have liked but it did have an authentic approach for the region. Pasta even light on the chiles still roasted the taste buds. A creme brûlée to finish was quite nice, as the flavour of the day was cacao. The only thing was that even with this food, I felt I was paying about 30% more than I should have for the quality of the meal. Alas, you have to try the place at least once.

Since Raymond is still closed, we tried this other venue by the same owner. Very good brunch place and we happened to have exceptional live music with the musician very good with guitar and great voice.

Apologies for staying off of the "me too" bandwagon on this one. Normally I am quick to be drawn in by local places with celebrity chefs and jaw-dropping interiors. Merchant Tavern is all those things (the interior looks like it belongs in a luxe downtown Toronto restaurant), yet... 1. The lunch menu is pricey pub food. Burgers, fries, fish and chips, club sandwiches, etc. Every place in St.John's is practically a pub. This is the most expensive one. 2. At my table we were cleverly up-sold gravy and dressing for our fries. (We were never told that they were extra charges or necessary) Each are 2$ extra and not all that great after a few bites because of the salt. Up selling is better suited for Jack Astor's. I had rather have a 23$ salty burger and fries than a 19$ one with surprise charges on the bill. 3. Service is reasonably good, upselling aside. 4. The burger and fish and chips (27$) at my table were both salty. The burger was rather small. 5. Cocktail offerings at lunch were fairly standard... aperol spritz, Harvey Wallbanger, mimosa, etc. For the price and food, this is pretty average.

This was our first real meal in Nl and my favourite by far! The restaurant is just beautiful and the service was the best we had in St.John's. We lucked out when a reso for 2 didn't show up. We had the raw scallops and butter cooked shrimp to start, followed by the cod entree and whelk pasta. The raw scallops were seasoned perfectly. The sauce was delicious and the portion was very large. The shrimp were a little small for my liking, but there were so many of them, so it made up for it! This was the best pan fried cod we had. The sear was so crisp and the cod just flaked off in the nicest chunks. The whelk pasta was so rich and creamy. The bacon added a nice crisp to the soft dish. Just thinking about the pasta right now, is making my hungry! Out of all the restaurants we tried in St.John's, this is the one I'd recommend to anyone from out of town. Especially if this is your first and only visit! You won't be disappointed.

Truly unexpected gastropub in Nfld. Williamsburg chic. Food prepared meticulously. Drinks are both local, Canadian and int'l. I spotted a bottle of Middleton. How often you find that in a gastropub?! Highly recommend folks who come unexpectedly to pay a visit.

You might actually pass this place by thinking it is a bank, which it formerly was. But don't miss this place if you want an amazing meal in downtown St. John's! Start with oysters, the farm salad and the snow crab. Oh yea don't forget the seafood soup. And then. Move on to any pasta which are all freshly made. We had the linguine with shrimp and mussels, the pan roasted cod the chicken and the spaghetti with garlic and chili. Yum! Great service and amazing food.

A must place in St John's first time visiting and we were a group everybody was blown away!

We had a lovely supper after a long day of hiking. We sat at the bar, on the corner. Had muscles and the whelk & shrimp salad to start, salmon and crab as mains. Drinks were very tasty. Food was delicious. Only complaint was bartenders were chatting with each other/guests, and left us waiting a considerable amount of time with empty drinks.

We heard of this Merchant Tavern since it is the sister restaurant of Raymonds, but much more affordable! Being a busy place, service was slow, but the server was really accommodating with what we needed, like red chili flakes. We both ordered the Norcina Rigatoni dish and shared a pistachio creme brulee (serving size on the creme brulee was bigger than we imagined, which was great for sharing!). We thought it was the best meal we had on this trip!

We came by The Merchant on a stop for a culinary tour (you have to try the tomato salad or the ricotta gnudi!) and knew we had to come back for a meal after our tour teaser. I saw lobster roll on the menu and was sold, there was nothing that would convince me to get anything else. I had high expectations and was not disappointed one bit. You are talking succulent pieces of lobster lightly coated in a creamy citrus dressing on a buttery roll and a heaping pile of fries. We learned about the love and labor that goes into preparing the food from our tour so do not expect any less than spectacular when you dine here!

I previously reported a poor review of The Merchant Tavern, attributed at that time (more than a year ago) to their inability to meet basic expectations like an on-time reservation and timely service. Tonight, I decided to give them one "last" shot. We love dining out and in this very difficult environment for all restaurants simply want to support as many as we can afford. I am so happy to report on a spectacular dining experience, from the amazing, professional, prompt and friendly service, to the last morsel of fantastic food. We enjoyed the bar, appetizers, mains and dessert, there was nothing left on our plates, and we left feeling as though we had been won back. This was a fantastic evening and we are so glad to see The Merchant not just busy, but their hard-working and appreciative staff seeming to have every detail under control and every customer feeling valued. This was a wonderful dining experience and I wish only good things and very long success ahead for The Merchant Tavern. We will definitely return.

Always enjoy the Merchant. Great food and wine selection. Staff always friendly and offer extremely good service

Jeremy Charles has another restaurant? I owed it to my mouth to go. Finally, the Merchant Tavern has opened and I made sure I checked it out with my sisters and cousin. We dashed in for their lunch service on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It has a crisp yet relaxed atmosphere. Artfully decorated with oversized photos of Newfoundland items. The servers and staff wear old-timey looking shirts and aprons. Some even sport matching old-timey moustaches, that I'm guessing, are not required. I ordered the feature of the day: a meat pie and I substituted the fries with the beet salad off the regular menu for a charge of $6. The pie was made with beef and pork and had peas, carrots, and mushrooms mixed in. The crust was light and in all it was very flavourful. The beet salad employed roast seeds and flavours to complement the greens and beets. As a filling mixup, I was given fries with the salad that seemed to be a full order instead of half. What I liked as well, was the gourmet quality for the same price as a low quality chain restaurant. To cap it off, on the enthusiastic recommendation of the server, I had a vinegar pie with dandelion ice cream. Don't let the name deter, it is perfectly sweet and the crust is delicious. It is probably the only item I had that I would say was overpriced - $10 for a small slice. The staff was very very friendly and quick to help. The general manager came and introduced himself and the local celebrity himself even brought some food to tables. I will definitely return.

One of the finest restaurants in the area if not the finest. All food is made from scratch and the ambience of a former bank adds an airiness and vibrant environment. Plan ahead and make a reservation in their vault room. Save plenty of room for dessert as their vinegar pie is to die for.

This is a modern gastropub located inside an old bank building. High ceilings, square surround bar and spacious dining area. There is a private dining room located inside an old vault of the bank. Beautiful renovated washrooms. We came here with a large group of 12 around 11:30 am last Saturday. Brunch menu was available with breakfast favorites and great selection for lunch. We ordered the huevro rancheros, pancakes, eggs benny, smoked salmon bagel, brisket and more. The brisket was amazing, a huge brisket smoked just right with the right amount of relish and grainy mustard. The pancakes were fluffy and melt in your mouth topped with lean maple bacon. We had cocktails mimosa, aperol spritz and caesars. Drinks were spot on and the food and atmosphere were both fantastic. Our hostess was friendly and helped me locate an iPhone plug. Our server genuinely enjoyed her job and helped to explain the menu and the specials. I can tell this is a local hotspot. The restaurant was lovely and bustling and filled up quickly as we approached the lunch hour. A great dining experience and highly recommended.

The name "The Merchant Tavern" suggests a small, wood-paneled inn. In fact, this eatery is not like that at all. It's a huge space, high-ceilinged and beautifully appointed, that was a former bank. There are distinct areas: A bar, raw bar, tables and private side rooms, one being the old bank vault. It's full of energy and has great food and drink. The menu changes, but you can count on the a well-stocked raw bar and on cod. If I conceived of a restaurant, this would be it.

My friends and I created our own tasting menu and ate it at the bar as the place was pretty crowded. This included the Snow Crab Rarebit, a cheese plate, steak tartare, the "Crispy Chicken" (fried chicken thigh pieces, bread butter pickle, ranch dip), and Oysters Rockefeller. The steak and oysters were both exceptional. For desert we had the Vinegar Pie and the Organic Vanilla Soft Serve with Salted Caramel. Both were sublime. The service was also superb and the ambiance very enjoyable. It was easily the best dining experience I've had in St. John's to date. I look forward to going back -- like, a lot.

Lovely service. The food .. while not inventive .. was perfectly done and extremely flavourful. The pork loin was so tender. The Caesar salad was well presented but a bit harder to eat by our guests as it was two halves of romaine heart simply dressed as is. The fish taco appetizer is excellent. Loud ambiance but obviously well appreciated as the place was full on a Weds night.

Came here for a happy hour bite after the iceberg boat tour. Food is great so is the atmosphere. Chicken liver mousse is especially recommended, the local partridgeberry compliments the liver very well. One of my favorite restaurants in St. John's.

Hmmm, well, maybe it was because I arrived just as they were opening, maybe it's because I'm not from here and not familiar with standard Canadian service? On the whole it was inattentive and distracted with underwhelming food. I started with a mimosa, which was flat. I recognized it was flat as I saw him pour it (I was seated at the bar), and when it was brought over, took a sip and asked for a fresh glass. To his credit, he noticed once he served it. But I saw as it was being poured and it was clearly a left over bottle from last night, and it was the last dregs of the bottle. I know enough about sparkling to recognize a flat pour. And he's a professional- why would you bring over, get a new bottle. So I did get my new glass, it was tasty. I appreciate the effort and changing the glass out. But my question is why for an upscale restaurant, would you even pour a flat, left over, bottom of the bottle sparkling??? I ordered the seafood soup (which is a misnomer as it's fish soup, not a mix of seafood) and the Cesar salad. I asked if the Riesling was dry or a more typical imported style, ie, on the fruity to sweet side? He said off-dry but recommended a try. I emphasized that I preferred dry wines with lots of minerality....and he poured me a (taste) of a typical fruity sweet wine. I did end up with a nicely balanced light Alasce style white which paired nicely with my selection. But again, if he knew he had that wine to begin with, why didn't he simply recommend it and start there? On the food, simply underwhelming, especially with all the raves. The soup, and again, it probably (?) was because it was at the beginning of day and the start of service, but the soup was... bland, underwhelming and under seasoned (person next to me at the bar ordered the same and we both had to pour on the salt). Not bad, just not good. There was no depth or layers to the soup. The vegetables were *beautifully* bruinoised. And so undercooked. The zucchini was *crunchy*. The soup begged for some brightness like lemon or something sharp. The fish was cooked perfectly- it was a very mild flakey cod. That added nothing to the soup. The grilled bread was delicious. But if the best thing about the dish is the side of grilled bread? Tells you what you need to know. There was a large extended family luncheon that was taking place- several adults and almost as many children (owners? Good friends of the owner?). I understand that the only way to introduce children to the world and how to behave in said world is to have them out and about. I also understand that adults need a break and want to take about boring adult things. And kids want to play. And they did. Two small boys were running around the very large square bar in the middle of the restaurant. Literally. Running. Around. Unsupervised. The family was in a corner room tucked away with the doors closed. Now, they are Canadian children so no shouting, or ruckus and very nice. Once the family ordered and the lunch crowed picked up, they were gathered into the room. But running through and around a restaurant??? I collected my bill...and went to the cafe down the street for a sweet and a pot of tea. And it was perfect. Overall is was disappointing. This was my splurge meal of the week- $75 for a lunch of soup, salad, two glasses of wine, in an upscale marketed gastropub. And I'm walking out thinking, the grilled bread was decent enough.

One very memorable meal. If you're a foodie, forget the menu and go with the Chef's selection. Incredible dishes based on local and Newfoundland fare. Totally recommend the wine pairing, the sommelier was spot on.

I continue to return to Merchants because of their consistency for high quality service and food.... and they never disappoint. Had Katie tonight and she was absolutely fabulous - friendly, prompt and knew her menu really well. You guys continue to be the standard in St John's!

Not worth the money. The restaurant is under staffed. It took 30 minutes to get our coffees delivered to table. It's a shame, ambience is nice; food, by the time it arrived, was good; however a frustrating experience nonetheless.