Merchants 1688 — Restaurant in Lancaster

This dining-in-wine cellar experience with beautiful simple and complex dishes just made my day. My intentional yet aimless escape finds its purpose here.

Lamb hotpot is wonderful, heart-warming especially on a chilling July evening. The potato slices are soft yet offer a little bite. The lamb is tender, neither too lean or too fatty, and melts in mouth with the diced carrot and potato. The onion based soup is delightful. To me it doesn’t taste too much similar to Irish stew despite similar ingredients; maybe the mysterious Worcester sauce is the key (and/or the lack of Guinness or whisky) in addition to proportion of herbs. It’s also less thick than the Irish counterpart. The portion is just right. The focaccia has an enjoyable rosemary crust. I don’t usually add butter but appreciate the toasting and slicing and even spreading. And the butter tastes of surprisingly good quality, very milky, even after a reception with much cheese. Red cabbage has a delightful vinegar taste with strong presence of fennel.

Finishing with a summery dessert in defiance of the chill. First peach in 2024! Earl grey sorbet is really unique. I always like tea and the bergamot aroma is refreshing. The sorbet contrasts and complements the silky yet not too sweet panna cotta. The mint leaf is a great idea. With the honey comb bits, there are so many ways to enjoy the wondrous layers of textures and tastes the dessert ^^

(The cheese board is of such a reasonable price! Cheese usually cost much more than desserts… (I have already had cheese today so I noted the suppliers and their flavors : souvenirs?))

(I came here to try some Lancaster classics, but the “locally sourced, in-season dishes”look very tempting too, and the starters! Next time I’ll bring friends to share and sample :3 Having been to Lake District already, I decided to stick to the less commonly available Lancashire lamb hotpot, and the 72-hour prefix sounds like it’s cooked longer than other restaurants (though not an indicative of the result). And it sounds popular among neighboring tables— there was a couple with two identical dishes. It is great.)

The staff are super friendly. No wonder there are many frequenters.

The environment is elegant and intimate, though it could be better with a little music in the background to slightly muffle the many interesting conversations. (WiFi is as nonexistent as cellular, so focus on people, if any, and...

Arrived here from Lancaster Station ready 2 drop ... after 11pm

A very kind young lady on the bar (Lauren & fellow barmaid) have allowed me 2 wait 4 my daughter 2 pick me up 2 get up 2 Carlisle...as I'm stranded in Lancaster x taxi drivers refusing my fare from Station & wrongly assuming I'm am able bodied fully functioning human being...wrong.... My mobility is limited....any unnecessary physical stress is unseen...I'm ready 2 drop...but as I'm without any visible limitations driver wrongly assumed I could get 2 nearest pub by my own volition...this happens regularly...so 2 all the taxi firms in Cumbria.. I'm your bread & butter. Your clients fund your lifestyles.. Without me & others you would not have a job....when I became upset due 2 the immense stress my spine was under & the other cab drivers began effin n jeffing...so I left..took me over 15 minutes 2 make it here ...but I did...I'd rather do it myself & die trying than give in to folk that make wild assumptions judged on my appearance ...I will not use a wheelchair as I can manage with assistance I.e taxis ..elevators.. etc Do folk actually need a big sign 2 inform them we are not all able 2 function at 100 percent...seriously...the arrogance when i try & explain...your hit with its gunna cost £3 .00 And..so wot...I have plenty 2 pay u & tip...but no...u refuse me...u insult me...u judge me...u verbally abuse me....well crack on BOYS...never female drivers ..ever...u reap wot u sow.... 🕊 Deo gratis 🕊....2 the lovely staff at THE MERCHANT Lancaster 10/10 ....I know ur barmaids will be rewarded 4 their kindness & compassion shown 2 me...folk seem 2 forget...we can review their services & show a true reflection of our experiences...x x x infinite love & abundance 2 those open 2 recieve it...x x x I know my reviews are regularly viewed &...

Wife and I visited for a date night and left absolutely delighted. I started with the King Scallops with smoked tomato dashi, orange, marinated tomato & green strawberries. This was a great combination of the light seafood with sweeter accompanying tastes that complimented each other very well. For my main I had the Lythe Valley Venison Loin with black garlic, venison sausage, red cabbage puree, celeriac terrine and elderberry jus. The venison was perfect but the venison sausage was a big wow of this dish. Special mention for the elderberry jus whicu also stood out for me. So flavorful.

My wife started with the beef short rib with roast cauliflower puree, kale crisp, Yorkshire pecorino and pickled walnut. This went down a treat for her, especially with a glass of Chile pinot grigio. For her main she decided on the Barbeque monkfish with maple glaze, muscade pumpkin, kale and pumpkin seed pesto. The fish was juicy and succulent without being overpowering. Again a dish that had no faults.

We hadn't eaten an evening meal here before, but had had several lunches over the years. The evening menu was outstanding and nothing like I have ever had in Lancaster before.

As for atmosphere, the rooms were full and vibrant.

The table service was excellent, with our waiter remembering our request for another pinot right before the main.

Altogether we are absolutely delighted with the experience and cannot wait to return. Thank...