Restaurante Mercaderes — Restaurant in Mexico City

Some good, some bad, mostly left feeling scammed.

Arrived at lunch, read the menu board in front of the restaurant that says lunch on it, think a few of the items sound good and the prices aren't bad so go in. Sit down, and the first thing that happens is a waiter asks us for drink orders before we get to see the full menu.

Then, after ordering drinks, the menu arrives. It's different from the lunch board o front of the restaurant. And about 50% more expensive. We ask about it and the waiter insists what we saw out front was the breakfast menu and that this is the actual lunch menu. We grumble a bit but, having already ordered drinks, decide to stay.

Some of the dishes that followed were in line with expectations for a higher end restaurant, but others felt like they could have come from a diner or a frozen box dinner, and when the bill arrived there was an extra item charged on it.

We asked what the $58 "bread service" was as we'd had no bread and were told it was for the pre-appetizer tomato and dips we'd been given. Which contained no bread and which, when they'd been put on our table, the waiter had said were on the house. We said as much and the waiter simply said yes and walked away.

But hey, if you get lucky with which dishes you order and refuse any "free" items it could be a...

A little bit of a cold experience- maybe we were just a little out of place here! I had read reviews that this was great place with a large wine selection and so wanted to get an afternoon drink. It’s definitely more of a sit down fine dining experience than I anticipated from reviews. We didn’t receive a wine list but were brought three bottles to choose from. It seems like the heavy recommendation was the most expensive bottle ($60 usd). I googled the price after we agreed and had time to pivot if we weren’t comfortable with the price. This was fine for us, but would have appreciated more clarity on our options. The wine was good- very dry red Mexican wine. I’m not sure if they have a drinks menu, but we didn’t get one and we spotted the tequila and if given a more clear option, I’m sure some in my party would have ordered a cocktail. Wonderful service & only reviewing so people have more perspective on the vibes as we felt a bit awkward when it was not what...

Pretty good food... The duck was nice, however the steak was served with cold, lumpy mashed potatoes. The food was also quite expensive. A good selection of tequilas served with sangrita.

The restaurant had a pleasant ambience.

The main issue I had with this restaurant was the service. While plenty attentive, there was also plenty of pressure. As soon as we took our seats, a trolley was wheeled-up and we were "offered" some ham off the bone, which turned out to be $700MX worth of Iberico. Then, the drinks trolley was hastily wheeled-up, and we received recommendations. The suggestions, of course, began with the restaurant's premium selections at several hundred pesos each.

Not a bad restaurant by any means. Perhaps we were partially at fault for taking into the trap, but beware the pressure tactics employed right after sitting, and be sure to give yourself time to look at the menu before accepting / agreeing...