The Mercantile — Restaurant in Worcester

First of all, to get a table on the "rooftop" you cannot make a reservation. We were instructed to make a reservation and request the patio when we arrived, which is what we did. We were a group of 6 and was told a 10 minute wait for our table. We were told we could wait at the bar to grab a drink upstairs, so we did. After waiting 20 minutes seeing empty and clean tables on the patio, we went over to the upstairs host stand, and they were extremely kind and understanding of our frustrations, and worked on getting us sat. Meanwhile, waiting at the bar, 4 of us ordered drinks and 1 of the drinks never showed up, but we didn't get charged for it so we figured we'll wait until we get sat to order the other one.

We finally get sat, it took a while for the waitress to come greet us and take a drink order. We also order an appetizer while she was there. After quite some time we get our drinks and order our meals. One of us ordered one of the chicken dishes with a side salad. The waitress then questioned if they actually wanted the side salad because the chicken came with "some greens." uh yeah. They still wanted a side salad (which came drenched in dressing on the same plate as the chicken, making the whole dish soggy).

While waiting for our appetizer, we got handed someone elses food. They then took that food that we had at our table, and gave it to the correct table. They even questioned us and made us feel stupid as if we were in the wrong.

Finally our app came, and it wasn't hot, but whatever we're hungry. When the app came one of us had ordered another drink and it just never showed up. Nor did the waitress check in on us for us to even bring it to her attention. We never got our waters refilled, never was asked if we wanted another drink, nothing.

Finally our meals come out. 3 people got theirs first, then after another 5 minutes the rest came out (I assume a long walk from the kitchen). Steak tips ordered medium were well done, steak tips ordered med rare were medium, chicken was bland, shrimp was HARD to get through and well overcooked, peaches were HARD and only had like 3 thin slices anyways. The waitress was practically running away from our table we didn't even have time to flag these things to her. She never even asked how it was.

Overall, food sucks, service is TERRIBLE, go somewhere else. Totally...

Birthday dinner ruined.

Side note, this has been our bday spot for the last few years, always a good experience. Tonight? Total fail.

Booked weeks in advance: made notes on reservation. Blonde girl, Jordan, 25th bday celebration, etc.

Show up to dinner, we were sat at a filthy table, I’m talking covered in corn and tortilla chips. No problem, we are asked to go back to hostess station for a few minutes.

Sat again, mention to waitress it’s my daughter bday as a reminder. Order our drinks, meals, apps, eat, no check in how things were. We were happy enough so no big deal. Now dessert time, expecting at minimum a candle in her dessert. Nothing.

I get up to speak to hostess, she pulls up my reservation, reads my comments about the bday and literally states “just because you mention it’s a birthday doesn’t mean we do anything”. I was shocked. Just then our waitress came over and asked if everything was ok. I explained the bday situation and she said “yes, I heard you mention Her birthday, but she ordered the cheesecake which isn’t free, but fine I will comp it” I explained I didn’t want anything for free just a candle in her dessert? She further explained “we don’t do that, some people don’t appreciate that”. What!? I just saw you do it for the table next to us?!

The hostess and waitress then just walked away and I was just standing there in awe, so went back to my table. Waitress drops off check, comes back to grab payment (cash) she said “I’ll be back with your change. We said “it’s all set” then she comes back and literally Slammed the change aka “tip” down on the table and said “you’re change!” and walked away.

This could have literally been resolved by a quick fix dessert/candle (I’ll gladly pay!), instead hostess decided to be snarky and ruined the experience. What a terrible...

RAW Shrimp & Corn Fritters served to us not just once, but twice!! Patrons beware! I try to hold off on submitting a negative review unless the circumstances are extreme, so this qualifies. Dined here for the first time before attending a show at the arena on Thursday night. Had a reservation but hostess was less than amicable and basically ignored us then under her breath muttered “just a couple of minutes”… which turned into 25 minutes. Once seated, our waitress was timely and attentive. We ordered small plates and drinks. Apps ordered were the dry rubbed wings, meatballs, and an order of the shrimp & corn fritters. Food came out in a timely manner. Meatballs were just okay- but dry as if they had been sitting under heat for a while. The wings were pretty good.. best of the 3,because the fritters.. even though super crispy (almost burnt) on the outside were completely raw in the middle!! My husband took a huge bite of one before he realized. We summoned our waitress over who seemed as horrified as we did and promptly took them away. A short while later, some slobby looking guy from the kitchen brings us a new order. I cut into it and guess what? Raw again!!! Unbelievable. This is not a matter of taste, but health!! And, for a place like this with inflated food prices, I would expect someone in the kitchen to understand that placing something like this in a fryer when the oil is too hot, will result in undercooked, raw food. Even the most amateur cook would understand this simple concept. Further insult is that we received no apology from the kitchen or anyone in management. Save your money (and health) and dine elsewhere. Yes, the ambience and rooftop experience are cool, but...