Merchant & Main Grill & Bar — Restaurant in Vacaville

Merchant and Main, in Vacaville, is a culinary haven that offers a remarkable dining experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were captivated by its charming ambiance and welcoming atmosphere.

We came in on a Saturday night and were eager to experience a special or two and a featured glass of wine. After deciding on a few salads and the potato skins appetizer, we had our eyes set on our main courses. The veggie burger and garden salad were a perfect choice for those seeking a lighter option. The veggie burger, made with a flavorful patty and served on a toasted bun, was accompanied by a vibrant garden salad bursting with fresh, crisp vegetables.

For those seeking heartier fare, the prime rib and rice pilaf plate offered a decadent indulgence. The succulent prime rib, cooked perfectly medium rare and served with a side of savory rice pilaf, was a true delight. Each bite melted in our mouths, leaving a lingering richness that made this dish an absolute standout.

The salmon and baked potato plate showcased the restaurant's mastery of seafood. The salmon, very tender and flaky, was flawlessly seasoned and served alongside a perfectly baked potato. The combination of flavors was simply exquisite, a testament to the kitchen's commitment to excellence.

However, the true star of our dining experience was the weekend special, a surf and turf delight featuring tri-tip and shrimp. The succulent tri-tip, cooked to perfection and accompanied by perfectly grilled shrimp, was a match made in culinary heaven. The dish was elegantly presented with a side of fresh vegetables and masked potatoes, adding an extra touch to this indulgent plate.

To complement our meal, we shared a bottle of red wine that happened to be the last of its kind available for the weekend. This particular brand, selected for the weekend, showcased the restaurant's attention to detail and commitment to offering exceptional pairings. And a tasty red wine it was!

Merchant and Main truly excelled in providing an unforgettable dining experience. With their diverse range of dishes, from the flavorful veggie burger to the indulgent prime rib and surf and turf, every palate was catered to. The attentive service and thoughtfully curated wine selection added to the overall charm of the restaurant. Whether you're seeking a casual lunch or a memorable dinner, Merchant and Main is a destination that promises culinary excellence and a warm,...

One of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.

The table I was seated in was very dirty and sticky, with salt all over it. Our server asked what I wanted to drink. I asked her about the non-alcoholic options, and she said she can turn any of the drinks into non-alcoholic ones. I ultimately decided to just get root beer. She came back a few minutes later and asked me what I wanted to drink AGAIN. I told her I still wanted root beer (she didn't write this down, so it's not totally surprising that she forgot).

For my main meal, I ordered the Bistro Beef Tenderloin. I asked the meat to be cooked medium, and I ordered two sides, Caesar salad and French fries. Soon after, one of the chefs came out to serve my Caesar salad (instead of my server). The salad had an unusually high amount of cheese on top, and it tasted a little bit sour. Ten minutes later, I received my meal. Instead of having French fries, it had mashed potatoes that looked and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while. The meat, when I cut it initially, looked fine. But as I cut further into it, I noticed the meat was extremely juicy, but the juice looked very red, like blood. The meat also looked like it wasn't cooked much at all (it was basically rare in the center, and had a funny taste).

I forwarded my concerns to my waitress. She told me that everything I ordered would be free and offered to take it back and have it made right. At this point, I no longer trusted anyone or anything in the restaurant, and I walked out without finishing my meal.

As a Vacaville native, I had passed by this place numerous times, and I had wanted to try this place for many years (basically since I was a kid). This place had been very popular for as long as I can remember, and remains so to this day. But based on my experience, I really don't know why that is.

Plenty of people will probably say otherwise, but Merchant and Main is an embarrassment to the city of Vacaville. It needs a complete makeover, or to...

I had high hopes for this place since the first time we visited the breakfast was great. However, we ordered dinner through DoorDash. Our food is delivered only for us to discover that they left off a meal. The original woman my husband speaks to (mind you she answers the business phone "hello?") about it tells him to that he would have to go back through DoorDash, which makes no sense because it was M&M's mess up and we are not about to pay another fee to have it delivered. So I call back and speak to John, the manager. When I let him know my frustration and that I just want my money refunded because now everyone in my home has already eaten and it would be too late by the time I got my food, he states he would take care of it without offering any type of an apology or explanation for the other inconvenience and when I say thank you he responds with "uh huh" as if I caused HIM some sort of inconvenience. We have more family coming to town again next month and we really wanted to treat them to breakfast here however I definitely won't be back after this. As a manager, it would behoove John to work on his customer service skills if wants to continue having guests at his establishment because he’s...