This is going to be a rough one. I hope to never come across like I have been paid by the management to write a favorable review. (After all, who the hell am I anyway?) But on this occasion, I found myself being overly critical looking for something on which I could fault The Mercer and the best that I could come up with is that the dining room chairs are vaguely Blanche Deveraux South Florida 1980’s chic. That’s all I got folks.

Despite its somewhat odd location on the ground floor of the Mercer parking garage (on the corner of Vine and Mercer), the décor and atmosphere both made me instantly forget that there were probably upwards of three hundred cars stacked directly above the table at which we were dining. The outside noise from the hustle and bustle of a Friday night crowd on Vine Street was completely muffled, yet the noise level in the dining room could certainly be described as lively, as was the discussion at our table. (Just ask our poor server!) I doubt that the mélange of drinks that we ordered was helping matters a whole lot, but we definitely enjoyed not only the extensive wine list but the cocktails as well. Of note were American classics like the metropolitan and the French 76, as well as the Mercer Flip which was topped with a meringue like frothy egg white. If you are so inclined, The Mercer also offers several bottled and canned beers as well as a few on draft. Our party of 6 also enjoyed an appetizer or two, including the ricotta with onion compote, served with grilled bread. I love ricotta and bread, so this was right up my alley. It may be almost as good as the ricotta and honey at WG Kitchen, nee Wine Guy Bistro.

Rarely at a restaurant of this caliber are there so many items on the main course that tempt me. Many times the ingredients are one pay grade above my palate. I genuinely had a very difficult time choosing an entrée from several that were calling my name, but I settled on the risotto which is not something I usually order. You can’t even imagine how glad I am that I ventured outside of my culinary box. The creamy risotto was filled with salty pork belly, green onions, sweet blueberries, and black truffle. The explosion of complex flavors in my mouth was one of the best rice dishes that I have ever had. (To absolutely no one’s surprise I’m sure, I also enjoy Rice A Roni, the San Francisco treat. Maybe I am just easily pleased.)

My dinner companions were equally as enthralled with their main dishes as well. I managed to steal a bite or two of some of the other entrees on the table and my enthusiasm extends to them too. The Chicken Saltimbocca with roasted carrots and fingerling potatoes was of special note.

No one had the room or energy to partake in dessert, but I will have to admit that the chocolate ganache with peanut butter, bacon, bananas and bourbon sounded heavenly. Maybe next time, because there will definitely be a next time. The service was on point, the atmosphere was elegant without being stuffy, and the food was divine. My only complaint is the hole that was left burning in my wallet. This level of refinement comes with a price, but I am happy to add The Mercer to my list of restaurants suitable for a special occasion.