The Merc — Restaurant in City of Saratoga Springs

If you're looking for a dining experience with good service where you leave with a smile, feeling satisfied that you were both treated and fed well, I'm sorry to say this isn't the place for you. We dined opening week of the Saratoga racing season, arriving at 5:40 so the crowds were light. The hostess's greeting was lukewarm as we requested to sit outdoors. Our drinks arrived promptly and when we inquired about some food choices we'd made last year when we came up to support local businesses, we were told there was a "new menu" which turned out to be a bit high end for this pub-like restaurant. We placed our order and waited...and waited...and waited. We were told the kitchen was short staffed (so why not bring some crudité or bread to the table instead of compensating by filing our water glasses (with warm water!)) When our entrees arrived, the server wasn't sure which of the two salmon dinners came without the dressing, as asked, so she whisked them back to the kitchen...for nearly 10 more minutes! My daughter's steak arrived but she didn't want to begin eating while we sat waiting for our salmon. She actually got up to ask the server what the holdup was, but instead found the (bland) hostess who was not helpful. Our food finally came: a slice of salmon on a bed of what looked like stewed tomatoes. Not bad, but not worth the mid-$20 price. (The one star was because the food did taste good, as did my daughter's steak, which all three of us wound up sharing since we were still hungry!) Even when we left and passed the hostess, there was no interaction at all: no "thank you" or "have a good night." Maybe it was a bad day at the Merc? We had a terrific time there last year so perhaps it's time to bring back...

I hate leaving bad reviews but this honestly ruined my day. My girlfriend and I went here for our anniversary dinner while traveling to Saratoga from the Buffalo area. We are gay and I am a person of color. We had a reservation for 5:45 on Saturday night. After sitting our server quickly put the water on the table and not even pouring it for us. As this being a higher end restaurant this was poor. And as my girlfriend working in a high end restaurant she was disappointed. We were rushed through ordering and after ordering the waiter had to come back because she forgot my girlfriends order. The candle was not placed on the table till half way through our dinner and no bread was ever brought even though other tables had bread once seated. We saw our waiter talking and checking on her other tables but once she checked on us. The food was poor, we shared the spinach artichoke dip and it was amazing. But when our main dishes got here we were disappointed. My shrimp pesto pasta was over oily and the shrimp did not look completely cooked. My girlfriends plate had just heated up potatos and a big piece of chicken on it with no seasoning, her chicken was slightly raw in the middle. I always leave a tip at restaurant knowing it will help them as tipping at my job helps me. Paying $33 for each plate made our bill come to over $80. But this time we felt no need to tip and left dissatisfied and disappointed with upset stomachs. I don't know if the lack of service was due to us being young, gay and or me being a person of color but I am offended no...

Bottom line if you're looking for new food, great quality, great service and a funky new take on cocktails go here! It's the first time I've been here since they've taken over this location and was amazed. The seating in the alley next to the book store has a natural shade and the advantage of a street view, but without the deafening traffic noise which is one of emerging problems downtown seems to be facing these days....

Service was excellent - attentive and on time... we even had a special request that was taken care of, without "rolling eyes"

and ... next the menu choice....

One thing you'll maybe notice are the menu options look to focus on quality over quantity (thankyou Merc, I don't need Cheesecake Factory in 'toga)... and wow... the focus on the quality shows... also, the menu choices look new and changing specials.... I think anyone who's eaten out down town had noticed there are several resteraunts that even over the last 10 years, rarely change the menu. It was great to see new options and flavors...

I would recommend Merc as a "must go" for locals and visitors alike.... the locals will appreciate the change and expect to be impressed by the difference in the quality of food and service. For visitors, if you go only one place in 'toga, especially for the price, the menu, the location and the service you'll be impressed and glad...