The Mercer Restaurant and Bar

I’ve eaten at the Mercer twice recently, once for lunch and once for dinner.

I lunched on a Friday and therefore was lucky to order the exceptional Fish Pie special which was quite scrummy. I had some bland smoked salmon for a starter when the Venison Carpaccio was the way to go . My meat-eating guest enjoyed his lovely pink calves liver and we washed it all down with a pleasant Rioja. The restaurant was nice and buzzy, the service was pleasant and unintrusive.

I then went back for dinner with a couple of friends and the place was pretty empty. Generally the meal was not quite as good – the steak was overcooked, the monkfish tail with curried mussels didn’t quite hit the spot, albeit we did all enjoy sharing the welsh rarebit for desert.

Pretty good, not exceptional, best for a business lunch.
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conorh
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Dropped into the Mercer for dinner yesterday evening. Had a very warm welcome from the friendly staff. Our reserved table had mysteriously been occupied by others (the waiter seemed surprised!) but we were quickly offered a decent alternative. The atmosphere and decor were comfortable and chic, without being stuffy - very New York. My friend had seared scallops as a main and I had the roasted monkfish tail on creamy curried Shetland mussels - we shared sides of creamy mash, curly cale and roast carrots (including purple carrots - and we were regaled with the - surprisingly true - tale of how the Dutch were the ones who patriotically bred the orange carrot!). The ingredients were fresh, perfectly cooked and very tasty. Both the scallops and the monkfish tale exquisitely tender. The creamy curried sauce complimenting both the monkfish and the mussels particularly well. Desserts were equally delicious, and all was washed down with an excellent value but refreshing South African Chenin Blanc. A very pleasant evening all-round!
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Paulo Gonçalves - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 29, 2008

Great looking place with a sensible English menu - pies, steaks, roasts, good soups and salads. Food is very good for its type. Decor is v smart.

Service a bit simpering and rushed but maybe thats because the place is new - its better than being ignored.

Bloody Mary's are bloody awful though - like passata in a (small) glass with hugh "shaving" of cucumber, celery, lemon wedge and uncracked salt and pepper. It's a Classic, leave it alone.

I'll be back though - and they do, what looks like, a decent breakfast. Hard to find in the City
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, February 14, 2008