Mercer's Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

A request to catch up as a celebration. A promise that it would be something worth writing about. It was both. Here’s why Mercers in Eltham has inspired me to have a ranking list.

Located on the main road of Eltham, this place is really tricky to find the entrance to their parking slot. This is LITERALLY the only thing that is wrong with this place. Given that I had travelled over 30 minutes to get to the restaurant, I was not going to let something as insignificant as being unable to find the entrance stop me. (Although asking Nigel in that present moment would have gained a different result).

The place looks like a home from the outside and true to it’s exterior, the inside features a comfy homely feeling. Look, if I am honest, I am really annoyed that I didn’t take a photo of the inside. I was too busy being stunned by the attentive service and great way we were treated. Clearly my companions (C Squared) are regulars and are a first name basis. As such, I had to do a little digging and I found out that this is a husband and wife team (Stephen and Ute Mercer) and have been winning the Age Good Food Guide Awards since 1999! You have to go check out their website for all the photos that I didn’t take.

And now… the food.

Before the meal even started, we were treated to an onion, pumpkin and spiced soup shot glasses. It was so ridiculously well presented, I didn’t want to drink it. And once I did, I needed more of it! Mercers had my attention.

For entree, I had the Beef Salad: Porterhouse cured, seared and raw with honey wasabi pearls and salted egg yolk. Now. If anyone knows me, knows that I am always dubious of food that is overly well presented. I have had cases where I have spent more than a shiny penny ($200 AUD) for a meal only to be utterly dissapointed. As such, I was cautious as to how this would fill me up. Then again, the soup shot, was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

What surprised me were the flavours. Every bite oozed a certain sense of class and delicate, attentive focus to the creation of this amazing meal. I consumed literally everything on the plate. The wasabi pearls were the highlight – the sense of spice that melted in your mouth is an experience that you need to go in and try for yourself.

Once that was done, it was on to the mains: Pig bits; belly, strudel and rib with roasted young vegetables and calvados jus. Dubious? Still a little. First bite. And I was convinced that the chef must have Godly hands. The meat just melted away from the bone. Literally fell away. And then the pork belly. Oh. My. God. Just, OMG. Seared crispy on one side, the flavour infused into it is literally unlike anything I have come across. This was it. The whole saying, “stick a fork in it. It’s done” – yeah, that was me! Unknowingly, I had also become full. How Mercer…. how did you manage to do that?!

Maybe it was the Twice cooked Désirée potatoes with rosemary salt and truffle aioli.

And still, I had dessert? Are you kidding me? I was ready to be rolled out of that restaurant. Alas, I had chosen the red velvet souffle featuring raspberry and chocolate… because it was red velvet.

I was done. This is the pure definition of heaven. Some of the food was hard even though they looked fluffy and soft and alteranitvely there were items that reversed the role. The souffle was perfect. The oozing chocolate? Heavenly.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I was ready to call it. If I had to die and go to heaven, this is the one place I would like to call home. Forever. Without a doubt, Mercers have unequivocally won the title of the best restaurant that I have had the pleasure of dining at. The literal BEST. Every other restaurant, take note. This is the standard that I, Nigel, will be holding as your yardstick. And if you are considered fine dining….bring your A Game.

C squared, I will keep my promise to you. Thank you for treating to me such an amazing experience, nestled in the suburbs of Melbourne.

Oh my readers – the places I will help you find! Won’t you join me and...

Mercer's Restaurant Eltham is an absolute gem! Nestled within a beautifully maintained federation style homestead, this restaurant offers a refined and intimate fine dining experience. The white tablecloths, superior service, and exceptional attention to detail all combine to create an unforgettable dining experience.

We had the pleasure of indulging in the Four Course Degustation menu and were blown away by the quality, taste, presentation, and execution of our meals. The chef is a true perfectionist, with a keen eye for detail and the courage to be adventurous in his craft. Every dish was executed to perfection, and each plate was a work of art that delighted all of our senses.

In addition to the exquisite cuisine, the knowledgeable and friendly service only enhanced our dining experience. It was clear that the staff took great pride in ensuring that we had a pleasurable and memorable dining experience.

Overall, Mercer's Restaurant Eltham is an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable fine dining experience. From the ambiance to the cuisine and service, this restaurant truly...

Mercer Restaurant, Eltham - A Memorable Culinary Journey

Mercer in Eltham offers a semi-fine dining experience that’s nothing short of exceptional. I’ve had the pleasure of trying both their 6-course and 4-course tasting menus with matching wines, and it’s been a unique and unforgettable experience.

The dishes are beautifully crafted, showcasing creativity and attention to detail. While the 6-course menu was a bit much for me—especially toward dessert (I’m not a big eater)—the flavors and pairings were worth savoring. For those with a lighter appetite, the 4-course menu might be the perfect balance.

Their Malaysian Dancing Prawn on Fried Eggplant is a gold. So very yum .. The highlight of the evening, however, was the unexpected yet delightful touch at the end: their homemade cumquat brandy. It was the perfect finish to an already incredible meal and left a lasting impression.

I’d highly recommend Mercer to anyone looking for a refined and distinctive dining experience in Eltham. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in great food and wine, this restaurant is...