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| - This is one of few places in Madison I'd give a sixth Yelp star if possible. Merchant has it down- THE BEST craft cocktails, check- their drinks are the standard by which all others in Madison can be measured. Plus the bartenders are truly artists- fun to watch them create. Fantastic service, check... their staff is pleasant, hip but not snobby, accommodating (especially when it comes to subs for food allergies!) and warm. Gorgeous aesthetic- check. The space could seem cavernous but instead the smart decor makes it feel inviting and bustling yet amazingly, not mindnumbingly loud. Great menu, check- something for everyone and changes with the seasons. I've taken my parents here, my foodie friends, my teen daughter, my NYC friends used to the swankiest locales, and had a joint birthday party here with a friend and 15+ people; nobody has left disappointed. I love their ricotta board, the steak frites is my favorite entree, and one really can't go wrong with a burger (especially the Merchant burger, which is a rotating invention based on seasonal ingredients) but I've never had a bad meal here. I do agree with some other reviewers that Merchant's brunch/lunch options aren't as inspired, but my go-to (steak and eggs for brunch, fried chicken sandwich for lunch) is always awesome.
Final note- front of house manager is incredible. Everyone lauds the bartenders here (with good reason- they rock) but the woman who runs FOH is so graceful and savvy, and it shows in both her attitude and her servers'. Wish all Madison restaurants had someone like her at the helm. For example, last summer during a Live on King Street concert, my friend and I put in for a table outside and we were told there would be about a 45 minute wait. We were texted via their reservation alert system about an hour later that our table was ready. We went back and they had no tables outside; We were fine with both having waited the extra 15 minutes (not unreasonable considering the estimated 45 minutes) and with being seated inside, we didn't complain though it was a bit of a bummer- regardless, the manager apologized, seated us personally and purchased our first two beverages. Classy!
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