The Merchant Kitchen & Drinks — Restaurant in Boston

Overall regretful experience. Do not recommend to POC, at least on Monday nights or whenever my server is working.

As a black woman that likes to solo dine, I’m no stranger to picking up on the fact that servers often don’t want me due to stereotypes about black diner’s behavior (bad tipping, rude, sending food back).

I knew I should have immediately turned around when I asked the hostess if they had seating for one and she looked at me with 0 enthusiasm before picking a sticky menu to give me (she had to actually pull it apart and still decided to give it to me without wiping it down or picking a different one).

I sat for a good ~15 before a gentleman approached me asking what I’d like, he elaborated that my actual waitress was busy with another large party so he’d help for now. Sure, I thought, no biggie. But even after the large group left, she continued to give all her attention to two other tables full of (you guessed it) people of the lighter side. She was laughing, jovial, friendly. Incredible difference compared to the literal silence I got. There’s nothing quite like coming into a place just wanting a meal after work and coming away feeling less than human.

My meal was ok- the drink was horrible but I felt uncomfortable sending it back since my server was already stand-offish. She spoke to me twice, each less than about 10 seconds, and could not have been more curt. After I stacked my plates neatly and got my card out she inquired about additional items (coffee or dessert)- as if! Suddenly I exist to you when there’s the potential for me to spend more money??

I’m tipping her 20% solely off the principle of the fact that I used to be a line cook & respect the food industry/it’s workers. Also, if I tipped her what her service was actually worth, it’d probably only drive home the stereotype and possibly cause similar experiences for future black diners. This was a very disheartening experience, but at least I now know one place in Boston where I’ll take my dollar elsewhere.

It’s worth noting that this one waitress and hostess likely don’t reflect the restaurant as a whole- but I certainly have no interest in coming back to see if I’m right or wrong about...

Didn't eat the Merchant, it looked like a cool place for dinner and or/drinks. Posting on the Beauty and the Beast Experience which takes place in the basement of this restaurant....

Do not waste your time on this event. We were so disappointed. It is described as an immersive cocktail adventure, an escape room adventure, and a theatrical alternate reality experience. It was none of those. The website pics show fancy desserts, we were offered macaroons, sugar cookies, or plain madelienes, one only please. Hardly delightful. Drinks were meh. Coolest thing was the dry ice swizzle stick.

The 'cast' was three people, none of which were Beauty. I know the 'performers' tried their best, the material was just silly and childish. They said they couldn't do anything from the Disney production so music was piped in old French songs. Although the Beauty and Beast logo was outside the room on the mirrored wall. The 'riddle' was to find a name 'hidden' in paintings, it was like a 5th grade after school project. They say you can't come in 15 minutes after the start, they make you wait outside on the street before you can get in. If it's cold or raining its just unkind to do that to paying customers.

Rent the movie, bake a cake, and have a pink cocktail at home. You will be happier and it will be much cheaper. NOT worth it.

Should have been suspicious when there is no contact phone or way to reach people....Very hard to find reviews on this, its my duty to help you...

Where do I begin? I ordered a half dozen each littlenecks and oysters, along with a carafe of house red. 15 minutes later my server informed me that they could not serve one person a carafe, which is 2.5 glasses. I asked for the manager and she explained that it was state law that a single patron could nothave more than two drinks in front of them. Fair enough. We worked out a compromise that worked for everyone. While waiting for that to be sorted out, my entree arrived. What??? I sent it back and waited, and waited. The manager came and explained that there was a slowdown in the oysters upstairs, turns out they were hard to shuck. What??? The shellfish finally arrived, they were incredibly delicious. After that the entree, seared cod, arrived. Incredibly tasty and fresh. The only thing I had to contend with was the damn fly that seemed to want my dinner more than I did! They did right by me by forsaking the appetizer, a huge $30 forgo. All in all, the food was killer, the service a mix between stellar and incredibly poor. With that said, I'll give it another try next time and hope this was...