Our experience at Merci Sitges started on a promising note. We were greeted by a very kind and attentive man who offered us wine upon arrival. Although we mistakenly sat at the wrong table, instead of asking us to move, he thoughtfully transferred the entire setup from the assigned table to where we were sitting — a great touch and truly appreciated. Unfortunately, that ended up being the highlight of the night.
As a starter, we ordered the burrata with mushrooms and green peas. To be honest, it was completely underwhelming — just three ingredients thrown on a plate with nothing to tie them together. There was no harmony, no sauce, no creativity. It felt like an afterthought.
When it came time to order mains, things got worse. Half of the menu was unavailable, which is a major red flag — especially in an empty restaurant. If the place were packed and some dishes had sold out, it would have been understandable. But in a nearly empty dining room, that level of unavailability speaks to poor planning and lack of care.
We ended up ordering the lamb ribs and the sea bass. The lamb was poorly handled: not properly cleaned before cooking, dry, and clearly pre-cooked then reheated. It lacked any depth of flavor. On top, a chimichurri that reminded me more of a street choripán in Buenos Aires than a thoughtfully crafted restaurant dish. The ribs were served with dry French fries — no sauce, no dip, nothing to add moisture or flavor. Just dry lamb and dry fries on a plate.
The worst part of the evening, however, was the fish — or rather, the fish bones. What we received was essentially the tail end of the sea bass, with maybe 15% edible meat and 85% bones and spines. This is a cut that should never be served in a restaurant, especially at €28. It had no flavor, no seasoning, and the presentation was careless and uninspired.
To make matters worse, the waitress who took our order, served the food, and cleared the table was completely disengaged. She showed no interest, no effort to connect, and no understanding of what service means in hospitality. Not once did she acknowledge the issues or offer a basic apology.
What’s most disappointing is that opening a restaurant isn’t just about selling food — it’s about creating a memorable experience. Despite the positive reviews we had seen, none of that was reflected in our visit. Instead, we found a place lacking organization, passion, and any real concern for the...
Read moreOne often hears that dining is an experience involving stimulation of all five Aristotelian senses. Add to that the the perfect ambiance, pleasant decor, and genuine caring service and you've got yourself a meal at Merci Fish & Chips. Reservations are recommended as it might be difficult to find a table otherwise. It is a really small establishment with only about 8-10 tables and too many patrons eager to dine. The staff consists of the owner who personally greets everyone, patients waits at their tables and continuously tries to make it the most enjoyable experience for the customers. The full staff is completed by the phenomenal chef and a second waitress who also provides valuable multilingual services. Every table is provided with a free appetizer consisting of a lightly toasted bread, sprinkled with tomatoes and large slices of cheese. Mix in a few drops of local extra virgin olive oil, and you got yourself a delicious treat. The fish and chips was quite simply the best I have tasted. Very lightly battered, fresh cod fillets and thick cut, semi-crispy fries, along with homemade tartar sauce. It is a match made in food paradise. You can pair it up with something from their large collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments. As a finishing touch, you are served with free homemade yuzu flavored ice cream, cookies and chocolates. It's nothing short of a revolutionary dining experience that is elevated by the friendliest and most welcoming, warm service I have had the pleasure to enjoy. They deserve every bit of the accolades they get online and more. I wish I had more time in Sitges, to go back for...
Read moreDisappointing experience despite the good reviews We came to this place based on the great reviews, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a complete disaster. When we arrived, the restaurant was almost empty, apart from one large table.
We were seated and placed our orders for drinks and food. After about 30 minutes, the waiter came back to let us know they were out of lamb ribs and asked if we wanted to substitute with steak. We opted for octopus instead.
After a long wait, we received the provolone with aubergines—except it had no aubergines. When we pointed this out, the waiter simply replied, “Oh yeah, they forgot to add them.”
One of our friends is vegan and had very limited options—she ordered the only suitable dish, hummus. We kindly asked if her meal could be served with the rest of our mains so we could all eat together, but it was brought out first and served immediately.
After waiting over an hour, none of the rest of the food arrived. At that point, we decided to leave and asked for the bill for what we had consumed. Shockingly, they tried to charge us for the food we never received, using the one other table in the restaurant as an excuse for the delays.
Poor service, missing ingredients, and complete disorganization. They didn’t seem to care about customer experience at all. Definitely not...
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