The Mercer OTR

Delicious, rustic Italian cuisine at a moderate price-​point. They have a pre-​fixe menu option that is a good value option for just under forty dollars. It is a good choice if you are looking for an alternative to the noisier places on Vine st. The Mercer also takes reservations, unlike many of its neighbors. The vibe is a mix of hip and formal.

The inside is cool — kind of a mix between funky and fancy. The food was fine but overpriced for the portions. We had a nice dinner but I honestly can’t even remember what we ate a week later. With so many other great dinner places in OTR, The Mercer doesn’t stick out. We likely won’t return.

Friendly staff, but eating here is a slooooow event. I ordered a beet salad. I was pretty unimpressed with it, and felt the cheese used was not a good choice texture-​wise. Too creamy! I also got some Brussels sprouts. Now, I really like my vegetables (clearly) but. .. these were greasy, gross Brussels sprouts. Luckily did not pay for my own food. Although other people I was with liked their dishes well enough, no one seemed to feel the quality of «oh my god this is amazing» beyond their presentation skills. Definitely not worth the price. .. There’s a lot better in OTR.

I cant speak to the food since the few times we have stopped by it’s been for drinks. The olive plate we got was very tasty and was very nice with our wine. The house made pickled vegetables were very good. The service has always been great and when we got mixed drinks they were made very well. I am a fan and I will update my review after I have an actual meal there. Which I hope to be soon!

This is definitely worth checking out! We started with the Caesar salad. The polenta croutons are delicious! If you like cocktails, the bartenders are great mixologists! I had the Branzino, which is a delicious white fish! You also need to try their homemade pesto with their complimentary bread! Portions were just right! The décor was awesome too! They really put thought into the design. The service was excellent too. I will definitely be coming back!

We went to the Mercer and the first thing we were struck by was the ambience of the restaurant. It’s in a really fun recently revitalized area of Cincinnati in over the Rhine. The restaurant has a really cool vibe. Very interesting decorations including a wood wall from an old Chinese ship. It features very hip designs and Decour. The food is fantastic. The portions are just the right size and have incredible flavor. The polenta croutons are amazing. I also recommend trying the tenderloin.

The service was impeccable. Great atmosphere, and friendly and attentive staff. A must visit if you are in OTR!
The food highlights would be: (appetizers) bruschetta with ricotta and onion jam, yellow fin tuna, and scallop/​pork belly (entrée) branzino, short ribs, pappardelle, pork tenderloin (dessert) the grasshopper cake is a must order!!! All of the food was amazing.

One star because I can’t give neg. Evidently if you order a bourbon on the rocks the price is higher than what is on the menu? Really? If the pouring is larger why not list it, but not say after the fact that «because your drink was on the rocks we gave you an extra little bit and charged you more». Such. BS. Be a good business owner! And be transparent. I have no problem paying more… But be upfront. Very slimy and low class.

Yum! This place was quite good. We probably did the experience different than most but it completely worked and ended up very reasonably priced. We went early to try out the bar menu and drinks. Our waiter was awesome and he gave us great recommendations. The Polenta Fries were rocking! The bruschetta of the day was quite good as well. The Confit Chicken wings were good but I will probably skip them again in favor of trying some of the other items that also looked awesome. The drinks were good but not amazing. I got roped in by the Christmas and Fall ones which while good were not as good as the ones my friend had. We sat down to our dinner reservation and the waitress was similarly awesome. She made great recommendations on the wine and the food. The Cab Sav was one of the best that I have had. We had the Onion Ricotta bruschetta which was fantastic! We then had tasting portions of the Risotto, Fall Ravioli, and the Bolognese. All were good but the Risotto was the star. Very flavorful. Also it was a ton of food for the tasting portion. For dessert we went with the Sweet Potato Pound cake and the Tiramisu. The pound cake had a texture that was different than expected. A little on the dry side but surprising the granola that it came with was amazing! It was covered in sweet sauce with marshmallow. The tiramisu is where it is at. It was not traditional but the flavors were there and it was soooo good. The gelato on top was not sweet but a perfect bitter contrast to the dish. Overall I had a great time and will be back.

The ambiance here is very nice. Lots of dark wood and cool lighting fixtures. We had a 5:30 reservation, and they were ready for us. The cocktail menu and wine list are good. They have two non-​alcoholic cocktails, for those who are looking for something non-​boozy but still tasty. The wine glass pours are pretty good (including a nice Bordeaux). I had a glass of the Nebbiolo which was fantastic!
The food menu is rather limited and a little pricey, but they have a three-​course meal option for $ 39, which Abby and I both got. I had the Caesar salad, tagliatelle with amitriciana bianco sauce, and pork tenderloin served with polenta, grilled apples, and a demi-​glacé that was truly delicious. The tagliatelle was very tasty, but very rich (it has chopped up bits of cured italian meat along with a pecorino sauce). My small portion of it that came with the three-​course menu was more than enough. The pork tenderloin was perfectly done, a nice bit of pink in the middle, very tender and melt-​in-​your-​mouth. The flavor combinations of the sauce, pork, polenta, and apples were awesome too. Abby got the same entrée as I did, but she got the agnolotti with butternut squash as her pasta. She liked it, but liked mine better.
We had the tiramisu for dessert. It is a very non-​traditional tiramisu, but still very tasty. You can see my picture in the photos. It’s almost like a tiramisu cheesecake with coffee ice-​cream on top. It was a perfect end to the meal.
Service was competent and efficient throughout the evening, waters were kept well filled, etc. Unfortunately, our server committed two cardinal serving sins at the end of the meal that left me questioning her competence. She dropped off a single check for a table that was clearly two couples. Then she completely avoided eye-​contact and our table for several minutes while we desperately tried to get her attention. Unfortunately end to an otherwise perfect meal.
Expensive, but worth it.

This review is for the bar area, which serves drinks and has it’s own menu. We went as a big group (maybe 10 people) on a Thursday for a birthday party. The hosts/​servers were extremely accommodating and even though it’s the bar area, they still take your order/​bring your food and drinks. The vibe is slightly more formal (dark lighting, small tables etc) than many restaurants in the area, but it still felt fun and modern.
We were surprised to learn their bar menu (several appetizers and small dishes) was ½ price on Thursdays so we ordered more food than we planned on and it was all great. The portions were decently sized, enough where sharing a couple could make for a good dinner. They also had a burger ($ 6, regularly $ 12) that was delicious. the house made ricotta bruschetta was also great, and is perfect to pair with a drink.

My friends and I came here last night for desserts and drinks… But we ended up ordering food because the menu looked so good :) they have great specials during the week, and Thursday’s are half off the bar food menu! The burger and fries are delicious and so worth it! The staff was very nice and accommodating (esp with 7 girls who can’t make decisions). The restaurant is pretty quiet but they have a huge drink selection and a good menu! We will definitely have to come back for dinner next.

I came to The Mercer with my husband for dinner and had an overall great experience. We sat outside on the patio and the vibes & atmosphere were amazing and it was great weather. I normally don’t give out 5 stars but since every course was good, they deserve five stars. It’s rare to find a restaurant where you truly enjoy every aspect of the experience (dinner, customer service, drinks, atmosphere, etc).
I want to start by saying Mercer has the BEST and coolest general manager, Emmy !! She was amazing and her customer service skills were the bomb dot com! She was also our waiter !! Hey we’re a little short handed with help so she stepped in to help. She did a wonderful job. Great personality and knew the menu ! She was able to answer all questions. I also liked how she didn’t have an air about her just bc she is the GM and had to help being a waiter! She was AWESOME!
Now onto the food. First my husband ordered a glass of red wine that he really enjoyed. For dinner, my husband and I decided to go with the summer prix fixe menu which was $ 39 per person. We both started with the Mix Green Salad. It had mixed greens, blue cheese, walnuts, figs, and a good dressing. This salad was good! Very light, refreshing, and summery ! Even my husband liked it and he doesn’t eat much salad other than Caesar. The second course meals were pasta choices. I got the tagliatelle and my husband got the agnolotti. My dish was pretty good. It had this really good mushroom and bacon broth. My husbands pasta dish was AMAZING! It was like a stuffed ravioli (stuffed with meat) and had this yummy foam Parmesan Cheese. Yes I said foam! Next we had our entrees. We both had the Chicken Involtini but his came the way it was prepared on the menu and mine was dressed like the pork tenderloin dish. Both were AMAZING. His had more of a fresh green and lemon taste and mine had a hearty onion and peach taste with a glaze. Mine came with peaches. So yummy! My ONLY complaint is that the polenta that came with my dish was a little runny. I like my grits or polenta a tad bit more thick, but still good. Last we ended our night with yummy desserts. We had homemade donuts with a fruit Coulis and chocolate sauce, and a cake covered in a chocolate ganache with strawberries! Both were really good! This place is just WONDERFUL !
An overall great experience and I definitely recommend people try it out and I would definitely come back again! Like I said it’s not to often were you can say you truly enjoyed the ENTIRE experience as a whole! :)

A great upscale dining vibe. Their craft cocktail list could use some additions. The food was a bit cold, but the customer service was great. I think they should add a Moscow Mule and an Old Fashioned to the craft cocktail list. Outdoor seating was great and interior décor is phenomenal. Makes you feel like your at a 1920’s speak easy.

We were happy when our friends made a reservation here for dinner. Mercer was a good dinner experience from start to finish. Service was good. Our waiter Zach was friendly and knowledgeable. He also gave us some good recommendations without being too pushy.
We started off with a cocktail. I had the Il Anguria. At first, I was a little perplexed by the rum, watermelon and cinnamon combo, however, the cocktail was excellent. It all worked together and was nicely balanced. My dining companions equally enjoyed their drinks as well.
We started off with the caesar salad and the pork belly. Both were very good and a good size for appetizers. The pork belly was decadent and just melted in my mouth. For the entrée, I ordered the seafood spaghetti and hubby got the lamb rack. I actually preferred the lamb rack. It was cooked perfectly, seasoned well and really tender. The spaghetti was tasty but was a little light on the seafood in there.
Our tab for 2 was about $ 100 which I thought was pretty reasonable for a nice dinner (although as a caveat I am used to Chicago prices). I would definitely come back again.

We went to the Mercer for our wedding anniversary and overall it was delicious. I ordered the pre fixe menu for $ 39– I started out with the panzanella salad with fresh tomatoes (a tad too vinegary but good). I had the tagilatelle pasta for my second course: very flavorful with bacon and garlic. The salmon with oranges and potatoes came as the main course. I loved the salmon prep – rich and tangy, but the salmon didn’t blow me away (although still well prepared). My husband ordered the pork belly risotto: amazing! It was very rich, dark, and creamy. You definitely taste the truffle in this dish. The server allowed us to taste a couple wines before deciding on our choices and also explained each dish very knowledgeably. The restaurant was not too loud or crowded so it made for a nice date.

By far the largest dining area in OTR and they take reservations – key reasons why a recent girlfriends’ dinner was booked there. The interior design is quite odd – a mix of modern hipster and geriatric Floridian. There’s a cool wood wall running along the back, but there’s also multi-​colored faux-​wicker chairs and glass block everywhere. Our server was nice, but didn’t seem particularly knowledgeable (when asked for his recommendations, he rattled off 90% of the menu).
Anyway, the food. I shared the ricotta appetizer and it was definitely a winner. Large slices of delicious grilled bread that you could slather with the creamy ricotta spread topped with candy-​sweet caramelized onions. For my entrée, the scallops looked good, but were only offered as an appetizer (2 scallops) – the server offered to convert it to an entrée, which I was happy about. At least until I received it. They only threw on one tiny additional scallop – which jacked up the price from $ 16 to $ 28! I thought it was a mistake when the bill came and asked the server, who checked and said it was right. To be fair, the scallops were very good, but the portion was in no way worth almost $ 30. Also, the side was very strange and unappetizing (flavorless black quinoa and slides of grapefruit).
I’m going with a two star review overall for the experience in total. There are just too many superior dining experiences in OTR for this place to compete unless they really step up their game.

Here’s the deal with The Mercer OTR, it’s the same owners at KAZE, and they have the exact same problem in my opinion — the bar is awesome, the restaurant is not.
The Positives: (And they all seem to be for the bar)
— Awesome bar atmosphere. Love the dim lighting and seating set up.
— Quality service.
— Staff is smiley and very well trained. Fantastic knowledge of the menu.
— The Champagne cocktail is my absolute favorite. Hooray for something other than bourbon on your cocktail menu. Gin fans, I highly recommend The Mercer Flip.
— The cocktails are affordable at only $ 8 bucks.
— Local beer options.
— Great pork belly risotto.
The Negatives: (And they are all for the restaurant)
— The price points are outrageous, especially for the size and portion for what you are getting. The porterhouse (for two) should not be 91. That is more than double the price at other steakhouses around the city.
— The half portions come in a tiny bowl and are priced 12 – 16 for HALF sizes. I get the concept that you are trying to go for tapas, but you can get quality food for a fraction of these prices even in OTR.
— The atmosphere does not match the menu or the price point. Many of my friends asked why there are Frisch’s style looking glass walls everywhere. And more importantly my question is why am I eating a $ 200 meal off of an orange 70’s looking diner table in a wicker chair? I just can’t get over it. Especially with a brand new building to work with, I expected so much more, and this place really could have been beautiful.
Sigh…
I will be back for that champagne cocktail in the bar, but I won’t be making this is a dining destination.

— Conveniently located in the base of the Mercer parking garage, right on Vine.
— Takes reservations. (Though if you’re a walk-​in, they also do full-​service in the lounge area.)
— Upscale casual atmosphere.
— Friendly and attentive service.
— Menu has nice variety.
— Quality ingredients.
— We got the endive salad (good if you like endives), risotto (our fave! really, really good), and another pasta dish in a creamy sauce that we can’t quite remember (which was fine, but obviously not standout).
— We also ordered the chocolate dessert, which turned out to be excellent and a bit unusual.
In all, it’s a bit pricier than the rest of the OTR corridor, but we had a nice meal and will definitely return.

I had to check out the new place in the neighborhood, and I am impressed!
My friend said it best: it gives a little bit of a sixties vibe from the moment you walk in the door. The kitschy design in the bar and lounge area is like a time warp to a different time. The couples chatting at the bar, the fabric on the sofas, the only thing missing is probably brandy and cigars (but I’m sure they have brandy).
I had a cocktail with an egg white — whhhaaaaat!!? It was pretty good, and frothy, check my pic.
However, the best part was, of course, the food. The risotto with truffle and pork belly was so amazing! Like HOLY MOLY SHUT YOUR MOUTH GOOD! I was gone so quickly. The compote ricotta appetizer was also really good — it was sweet, so you know that’s saying something if I suggested it. It’s a little pricey with smaller portions, but taste-​to-​cost ratio was worth it!
The staff was so friendly, and I think we had 7 servers. Our main one, Zach, was really good — he gave great suggestions and was very knowledgable about the menu. We had two managers come by, and one even give the kitchen’s recipe secrets to us.
Great place — I hope I can visit again soon!