The Mercury — Restaurant in Dallas

It seems odd to say one of the best restaurants in the DFW metroplex is hiding in plain sight, but that's kind of what is going on here. The Mercury occupies a couple storefronts in a strip mall at an intersection that is traveled regularly. And yet hardly anyone I know has ever been here. I'm not sure how that is possible given the 20+ years of excellence this place has achieved, but if you're reading this review, then you're either already familiar with The Mercury, or are interested in giving it a chance. Either way, this is a step in the right direction!

(I should probably point out this review is for the main dining experience The Mercury affords; there is a separate sushi wing of the place, but I haven't made the leap yet nor have I seen what that is all about.)

Even before you get into the building, the valets greet you with a charming disposition that makes you feel welcomed. This feeling of kindness continues at the hostess' desk, where often times we are greeted before we even make our way to the desk, proper. The staff is extremely courteous from start to finish and by the time you walk through the atmospheric dining room to your table, you'll appreciate the class and style on display. (Don't worry if you're anything like me, though; I typically look like a hipster that fell into a pile of discarded fabrics and I still manage to fit in.)

The food is always spectacular. From the appetizers (crab dip and yellow tail sashimi are phenomenal) to the entrees, which are different degrees of perfection, you really cannot go wrong. (I'm not exaggerating on that, either. I think in all the years of going here, there was one dish one of us did not care for, and it was a cup of tortilla soup that I'm convinced was beamed in from outer space since it didn't taste like anything else the talented team of professionals in the kitchen has ever made.)

This also applies to the drinks from the bar. If you fancy yourself a cocktail, you're in for a treat as the team behind the bar dabbles in sorcery to concoct drinks that are unrivaled. Because I'm secretly a 120-year-old man, you can trust me when I say a sidecar here is the best you will ever have.

Equally impressive is the service. I've already touched on how everyone here is polite, engaging and a master of their duties. That's especially true of Tanner. Each visit we've had with Tanner has been exceptional, and his attentive spirit is matched by his ability to keep the pace for what is guaranteed to be a wonderful visit.

(Also, I need to give a shout out to the management, too. You know how you'll go to a five-star restaurant and the manager on duty sort of hovers behind the hostess' desk, or is largely invisible? That's not the case here. Management is constantly walking the dining rooms, chatting with customers and helping out where they can. It's refreshing to see leadership make themselves visible to the guests and is just another reason why The Mercury continues to excel in its operations.)

What else is there... The bathrooms are modernized and quiet. Oh, there's private dining rooms, one with its own set of bathrooms(!), and I could see those making for a fun night to remember with a large party. (Or a night to forget if you have the TV on and witness the Mavs losing in the fourth quarter.)

If societal norms dictate no restaurant is perfect and I need to find something to nitpick, I guess I'd say I'm still in a period of mourning since the beignets were removed from the dessert menu. A moment of silence for those, please.

But really, when you have to look for negatives, that's a sign you're dealing with a place that exudes quality. The Mercury may be hidden in plain sight, but the folks who have found it already know it's a treasure. And for the people just now discovering it, I legitimately envy your...

Our dinner at The Mercury in Dallas was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and seated in the Wine Room—a beautifully designed space that exudes elegance while maintaining a cozy, inviting feel. The atmosphere had that classic old-school steakhouse charm, but everything was impeccably maintained and upscale.

Our server, Taner, was the epitome of what high-end service should be. He was knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely invested in making our evening memorable. The entire staff was attentive without being overbearing, ensuring we had everything we needed at the perfect time.

Now, onto the food—where do I even begin? As soon as we sat down, the bread service arrived, and it was excellent. We started with a few mocktails, which were refreshing and well-balanced. On Taner’s recommendation, we ordered the jumbo lump crab dip, and it was phenomenal—creamy, rich, and packed with sweet, tender crab meat, topped with crispy, buttery bread crumbs. We also had the yellowtail sashimi with ponzu sauce and jalapeño, which was incredibly fresh, slightly spicy, and perfectly balanced in flavor.

For our entrées, we went with the filet mignon and the ribeye, both cooked to absolute perfection. To accompany them, we ordered the pomme frites, which were crisp and buttery, as well as the gnocchi with mushrooms, another standout recommendation from Taner that did not disappoint.

To finish, we indulged in the 12-layer coconut cake, which was beyond incredible. The cake was moist and delicate, layered with the perfect amount of sweetness and complemented by a salted caramel drizzle and fresh fruit. It was one of those desserts you remember long after the meal is over.

Every aspect of our experience was flawless—from the outstanding service to the impeccable food and well-maintained ambiance. The Mercury delivers a truly top-tier dining experience, and it’s clear that they take pride in every detail. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an exceptional...

I've been struggling to figure out what to give The Mercury for a rating.

On the one hand the food was great:

I started with the beet salad and couscous, both were very delicious. I ended with the black cod and cheesecake egg rolls. The cod was fine but considering this was the most recommended dish from the waitstaff I expected more. The egg rolls didn't do it for me. Something about the consistency was just weird, I'm not sure if I'd say they were bad but for me it wasn't enjoyable.

On the other hand the service was not great:

It started out decent, a manager (Mark I think) sat me outside who I mistook for my waiter, I asked him about the menu. He was quite nice, but I obviously never saw him again after the first encounter.

My waiter wasn't rude but he definitely had a vibe that told me he wasn't thrilled to be taking my order. He took my initial order and really only came back to take a plate away. Which on a busy night I assume he had more tables but this is a Wednesday with maybe 10 total people inside.

I then got another waiter who brought me the cod. He was actually super nice, but unfortunately he wasn't very present. After I ate my cod I sat 30 minutes, I timed it, with no one showing up. At this point I almost just left without paying but I had come this far I needed to at least try a dessert. I was recommended the egg rolls which as I stated I'm not a fan, not upset about this, just stating a fact.

I feel bad because I saw the professionalism that everyone else was getting, even by the valet, and yet I felt like not tipping as high as I normally would. Nothing against the waiters or the food but my experience was not worth the price I paid. This is coming from someone who eats literally everything.

I'd consider coming back in the future but I'm not making...