Music fills the air, ushering a smile and a pep in my step. Trees and flowers line the street on both sides, accenting the eclectic grouping of shops– antiques, boutiques, decor, yogurt, coffee, rock music, dessert, and more. There’s a tangible sense of an experience… of a moment… of memories ready and willing to heighten the day and mood. To say the atmosphere between where I parked and where I ate is noteworthy is an understatement. I knew before I even entered THE MERCHANT HOUSE (TMH) that the POSITIVELY DELICIOUS food blog journey was in for a culinary treat, and my experience solidified that belief.
The Merchant House’s sophisticated-comfy aesthetic greets you at the door, with wood stains that seem to vary between oak, cherry, and ebony and decor that primarily rests on navy blue, black, and red tones. The wood floors, areas of exposed brick, and loft-feel second floor create a trendy vibe that makes you feel like this is not an ordinary eatery.
TMH deserves props for its creative and thoughtful design. Case in point: I was disappointed when I didn’t have a minute or two to wait because their waiting area is the space in front of their substantial street-facing window. Not only does this window give waiters a view of the bustling street, Broadway, but it also comes with aged-looking wood tables and comfy chairs with armrests. Bravo, TMH, for creating a waiting room where guests won’t mind waiting!
After the hostess walked me to my table, I sat with the menus in awe of how many items tempted me with their descriptions. Uncertain as to what to order, I asked my server for her advice. Not only did she graciously give her time and thoughts during the busy lunch hour, but she also pointed out a suggestion within every grouping on the menu.
The SALMON BRUSCHETTA, VOODOO CHICKEN, EINSTEIN, and PHILLY BRISKET DIP were legitimate contenders for my order, but I settled on sips of a delicious sugar-rimmed STRAWBERRY LEMONADE and bites of mouthwatering GARLIC PARMESAN FRIES, a crazy-good GROWN UP GRILLED CHEESE, an exceptional CHERRY MARGHERITA PIZZA, and a few bites of the PECAN CHEESECAKE. Not only did I have an enormous amount of delicious leftovers, everything I tasted seduced my tastebuds into thinking that The Merchant House produced the best I’d ever had of that particular item.
TMH is known for its Detroit-style pizza. It takes 30-50 minutes to make, which they’re very clear about, so order it and have an appetizer or great conversation while you wait. I can honestly say that the fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, provolone, mozzarella, pesto, and balsamic glaze on my pizza shot memories of a tiny Mama-Pop pizzeria in Europe to the forefront of my mind– a place I haven’t visited in twenty years. And to say my other morsels of culinary heaven were phenomenal doesn’t do them justice.
The toasted bread of the grilled cheese? Seasoned to perfection.
The garlic parmesan fries? Worth the $1 upgrade.
The homemade cheesecake? My tastebuds sang hallelujah.
*Disclaimer: The song Let’s Hear It for the Boy by Deniece Williams began to play at the exact moment my server placed the pecan cheesecake in front of me, so TMH set me up for culinary bliss… and that’s precisely what happened. TMH, according to my server, receives all their cheesecake from a shop down the street called BEANZ Buttercream Bakery. These two are a match made in culinary heaven, and I hope they never break up.
But wait, there’s more!
Never before have I visited a restaurant that served their warm meals in metal bowls and metal trays. Even after my last bite, the metal bowl holding my sandwich and fries felt warm to the touch. The Merchant House not only thought about their decor and atmosphere; they thought about the culinary experience as well.
If you’re fortunate enough to grace The Merchant House, pay attention to their hours. They are closed on Monday. They open from 11 AM-2 PM on Tuesday through Friday for lunch and open from 4-10PM on Tuesday through Friday and all day Saturday for dinner.
For a restaurant that is approximately four-years-old, according to my server, The Merchant House pulls off a we’ve-been-around-for-a-long-time-and-we’re-not-going-anywhere vibe quite well. The atmosphere, the food, the hospitality, and the experience are each worth making a road trip to TMH but put these four things together, and you have a powerful argument for why The Merchant House is a must-taste on your culinary bucket list.
The following photos are courtesy of The Merchant House’s Facebook page:
