Day 44 dinner at The Merchant in Downtown Crossing

 crispy chicken wings $9

 bread basket

 Wedge Salad $9

 Pork 2 ways $24

House made asparagus pasta (appetizer size)$13

A friend and i were looking for somewhere new to try, and since The Merchant is so near my office we thought "what the heck".  I was a little apprehensive at 1st as i must confess the menu didn't exactly sing to me. There were a few intriguing options, but i thought we could better served somewhere else.  But i am glad we went with our first choice.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating, we asked for a table away from the crowded bar and they were able to move somethings around and give us a booth where we could actually hear ourselves over the crowd.

a very pleasant surprise was the pinot grigio they gave us, when i asked about it the waitress said its on tap and is their house pinot.  Well i don't normally have a lot of respect for tap wine, but this was actually very nice and crisp.

then we ordered an appetizer and i was talked into the chicken wings, now i know what you are thinking…who has to be talked into chicken wings? Well if you know me or have ever read my blog before, then you know i don't like food on the bone. But in keeping an open mind for the blog, i have to say they were good and flavorful. They came with some asian slaw and a nice sweet & sour sauce, and it was the perfect amount of sauce , i hate when you need 12 wet naps just to eat 2 pieces of chicken. 

My friend got the pork 2 ways, which came with 3 pork ribs and a nice pork loin. I did not try it, but was told it was excellent ( and since the plate was clean after, i will take that as a confirmation).

I got the wedge salad, which in fairness was not extraordinary , but it was a nice salad. If i had 1 critique, it had a skosh too much blue cheese dressing. I love blue cheese but i don't like to see it on every piece of lettuce.  The asparagus pasta on the other hand , was an absolute treasurer. The pasta is made with asparagus (what that what…yes made with asparagus) , it came with asparagus , plump shrimp (with NO TAILS !! The way they should always be served in a pasta dish) and chorizo sausage, there is no sauce but it is served in the sauce the chorizo was cooked in and it was just delicious. It was the perfect portion, leaving you full but not so stuffed you can't move.

I found the whole dining experience to be a pleasure, friendly staff, very good food , nice ambiance and  the prices were reasonable. I look forward to going back to The Merchant in the near future.

have a great night, and a great meal.

Kevin B.