Merchant Osteria Veneta - Melbourne

Merchant is at the insistence of my guests from Sydney. Every time we visit we always get the bar counter table. Not the easiest place to get a parking if you’r... read more Merchant is at the insistence of my guests from Sydney. Every time we visit we always get the bar counter table. Not the easiest place to get a parking if you’re driving in.Our favourite sou chef was at the grill station and he always entertains us. A friendly fellow who is very capable of multi-tasking cooking and talking to us. He really makes the meal enjoyable. Obviously Italian this is part of the Grossi empire. This ia not a cheap meal by any stretch but my guests love the place. We ordered fish, pasta and some other seafood. We have only ever been here for lunch and it really looks like a place for the business lunch. The service is quite good and as a whole hard to complain about. The need to ask for water is probably the only criticism.

Stopped by Merchant to have lunch with my son, who lives in Melbourne whilst I was in the city on business and my first time at Merchant would not be my last. M... read more Stopped by Merchant to have lunch with my son, who lives in Melbourne whilst I was in the city on business and my first time at Merchant would not be my last. Merchant has an open kitchen and altho quite a big venue and was almost full if not full that afternoon, the chef appeared to have everything very much under control. With no more than 2 assistants he catered for the whole place which was quite notable to me. We had octopus which was great and my son had the warmed burrata which he really enjoyed then we both had the steaks again, very good. Merchant offers a huge choice of authentic Italian meats and cheeses too which we will sample next time as another visit could be on the cards. Overall, a very decent experience and as its open all day, deffo a place that caters for business and travellers.

We had a business lunch, it was a nice Italian meal especially the bread. The place looked great and they displayed biscuits and muffins at the front. The coffe... read more We had a business lunch, it was a nice Italian meal especially the bread. The place looked great and they displayed biscuits and muffins at the front. The coffee was good to, not bitter in taste.

Very impressed....without prompting, they offered to make a vegan meal for me. Lots of places force me to settle for vegetarian. This sort of initiative from st... read more Very impressed....without prompting, they offered to make a vegan meal for me. Lots of places force me to settle for vegetarian. This sort of initiative from staff sets a great venue apart from a good one. The wine was sensational too.

My partner and I shared the 4 course meal. Absolutely amazing, a taste of what's on offer and really great quality food. I strongly recommend this restaurant read more My partner and I shared the 4 course meal. Absolutely amazing, a taste of what's on offer and really great quality food. I strongly recommend this restaurant