Mercantile

Summary of a long review: There is no doubt in my mind that the food, drinks, and experience being produced at Mercantile will earn them a Michelin star. Eat there now before it becomes impossible to get a reservation. ————————— For those that don’t know, Mercantile just reopened with a new menu and renovated interior. I went for lunch, then immediately called my wife and told her we had to go for dinner. The food is simply that good. The food here is exceptional because the culinary team has tapped into the foundation, the essence of amazing flavor: balance. A balance of fat and acidity, salt and sweet, bitter and deep savory umami. No one ingredient overpowering the rest. Each ingredient meaningful and intentional. Despite the simple idea behind balanced dishes, it is rare to find them so artfully, purposefully, and masterfully composed. The balancing act does not end at the food. The cocktails and wine selection are in lock step with deep, complex flavors that allow you to lose yourself in the experience. The team described the multi-step processes used to craft the ingredients in the cocktails, and the effort and labor absolutely results in drinks that stand above. The Cardamom and Tarragon cocktails are an absolute must to try. It’s not often that, as an adult, you get to experience something new. Something that reawakens a child-like wonder. Course after course, Mercantile gifted those magical moments by putting out the best, most flavorful food in Denver. I will not be satisfied until I have tried every dish on the menu.

Summary of a long review: There is no doubt in my mind that the food, drinks, and experience being produced at Mercantile will earn them a Michelin star. Eat there now before it becomes impossible to get a reservation. ————————— For those that don’t know, Mercantile just reopened with a new menu and renovated interior. I went for lunch, then immediately called my wife and told her we had to go for dinner. The food is simply that good. The food here is exceptional because the culinary team has tapped into the foundation, the essence of amazing flavor: balance. A balance of fat and acidity, salt and sweet, bitter and deep savory umami. No one ingredient overpowering the rest. Each ingredient meaningful and intentional. Despite the simple idea behind balanced dishes, it is rare to find them so artfully, purposefully, and masterfully composed. The balancing act does not end at the food. The cocktails and wine selection are in lock step with deep, complex flavors that allow you to lose yourself in the experience. The team described the multi-step processes used to craft the ingredients in the cocktails, and the effort and labor absolutely results in drinks that stand above. The Cardamom and Tarragon cocktails are an absolute must to try. It’s not often that, as an adult, you get to experience something new. Something that reawakens a child-like wonder. Course after course, Mercantile gifted those magical moments by putting out the best, most flavorful food in Denver. I will not be satisfied until I have tried every dish on the menu.

Very beautiful modern fusion restaurant at the union station. We got baby beet salad and falafel bowl. Service was good. Very convenient fine dining when you are at downtown as its at the union station and walking distance from the Rockies game.

Very beautiful modern fusion restaurant at the union station. We got baby beet salad and falafel bowl. Service was good. Very convenient fine dining when you are at downtown as its at the union station and walking distance from the Rockies game.

The food was delicious. Flavors were nicely mixed. The presentation of each dish was excellent. Salads were unique and tasty. The main corse was just perfect. Having a simple salad option - lattice involved would be appreciated by my 4 year old 😊 Pasta with butter did not have salt, things happen. Basque cheesecake was not truly basque flavor.

The food was delicious. Flavors were nicely mixed. The presentation of each dish was excellent. Salads were unique and tasty. The main corse was just perfect. Having a simple salad option - lattice involved would be appreciated by my 4 year old 😊 Pasta with butter did not have salt, things happen. Basque cheesecake was not truly basque flavor.

Absolutely incredible. The food was delicious and beautiful. It was the perfect example of farm to table: each ingredient was allowed to shine, and nothing was pretentious or unnecessarily complicated, just fantasticallt prepared, seasonal food. The service was incredible - we were celebrating our anniversary and they had a hand written anniversary car for us. Additionally, we eat halal and I had noted it in the reservation. The waiter had done research ahead of time to be able to tell us what dishes we could/couldn't eat. The attention to detail and the customer focus was incredible. Easily the best customer service I've ever had, and some of the best food as well. For two people, an appetizer, two entrees, dessert, and two non alcoholic drinks came out to a total of $155 before tip - a fantastic price for the quality.

Absolutely incredible. The food was delicious and beautiful. It was the perfect example of farm to table: each ingredient was allowed to shine, and nothing was pretentious or unnecessarily complicated, just fantasticallt prepared, seasonal food. The service was incredible - we were celebrating our anniversary and they had a hand written anniversary car for us. Additionally, we eat halal and I had noted it in the reservation. The waiter had done research ahead of time to be able to tell us what dishes we could/couldn't eat. The attention to detail and the customer focus was incredible. Easily the best customer service I've ever had, and some of the best food as well. For two people, an appetizer, two entrees, dessert, and two non alcoholic drinks came out to a total of $155 before tip - a fantastic price for the quality.

Exemplary farm to table restaurant with excellent cocktails. The beet salad was a surprising and wonderful compliment to the main courses. Brunch is also fantastic and the almond milk is worth your while. This restaurant has stood the test of time and will remain one of my favorite places in Denver. The service had been thoughtful each time we have gone.

Exemplary farm to table restaurant with excellent cocktails. The beet salad was a surprising and wonderful compliment to the main courses. Brunch is also fantastic and the almond milk is worth your while. This restaurant has stood the test of time and will remain one of my favorite places in Denver. The service had been thoughtful each time we have gone.

The revamp at Mercantile did not disappoint. Adding a banquette along the far wall and installing a divider between the dining room and bar improved acoustics and gives a more intimate feel, as it had a cavernous vibe in its previous form. The latest menu is imaginative without being overcomplicated, as separated into 4 categories: starters; pastas; sea; and land. The pastas were exceptional, led by the gnocchi and carbonara. The rabbit pot pie and duck confit, delicious! As we were there for the soft opening, they are working the kinks out on service, though the front of the house were attentive and strived to accommodate our needs throughout our meal. They've also stepped up their dessert program; the lemon and lavender pannacota is the star of the show. Looking forward to seeing their continued revival!

The revamp at Mercantile did not disappoint. Adding a banquette along the far wall and installing a divider between the dining room and bar improved acoustics and gives a more intimate feel, as it had a cavernous vibe in its previous form. The latest menu is imaginative without being overcomplicated, as separated into 4 categories: starters; pastas; sea; and land. The pastas were exceptional, led by the gnocchi and carbonara. The rabbit pot pie and duck confit, delicious! As we were there for the soft opening, they are working the kinks out on service, though the front of the house were attentive and strived to accommodate our needs throughout our meal. They've also stepped up their dessert program; the lemon and lavender pannacota is the star of the show. Looking forward to seeing their continued revival!

New level unlocked: Turnip sauce! When in Colorado, have lamb I am told! This was the best one in a while, complemented beautifully with turnip sauce and cherries. Light yet flavorful! Also delightful, ricotta gnocchi with prosciutto chips which melts in your mouth! Wonderful service and such a pretty restaurant. Their menu is very varied and unique with lots to try!

New level unlocked: Turnip sauce! When in Colorado, have lamb I am told! This was the best one in a while, complemented beautifully with turnip sauce and cherries. Light yet flavorful! Also delightful, ricotta gnocchi with prosciutto chips which melts in your mouth! Wonderful service and such a pretty restaurant. Their menu is very varied and unique with lots to try!

I loved the original Mercantile, but the concept -- all-day service, different vibe breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus culinary merchandise -- didn't survive Covid. Just not enough foot traffic and not enough of a destination, I think. Wisely, they closed for a few months and reopened with a whole new vibe: urban casual sophistication. Feels great on its second night and everything we ordered tasted great, too. High-end cuisine, shareable plates, mix and match. The Ricotta Agnolotti and Duck Confit were worthy of any proud kitchen, not that there was a single thing wrong with the charred broccoli caesar or the charred chicories. Can't wait to go back to try a lot of other temptations on the new menu. The neighborhood needed this. Union Station needed it. Long may it thrive! (Proud to be the first reviewer of the basically all-new Mercantile!)

I loved the original Mercantile, but the concept -- all-day service, different vibe breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus culinary merchandise -- didn't survive Covid. Just not enough foot traffic and not enough of a destination, I think. Wisely, they closed for a few months and reopened with a whole new vibe: urban casual sophistication. Feels great on its second night and everything we ordered tasted great, too. High-end cuisine, shareable plates, mix and match. The Ricotta Agnolotti and Duck Confit were worthy of any proud kitchen, not that there was a single thing wrong with the charred broccoli caesar or the charred chicories. Can't wait to go back to try a lot of other temptations on the new menu. The neighborhood needed this. Union Station needed it. Long may it thrive! (Proud to be the first reviewer of the basically all-new Mercantile!)