Merlot Cafe & Bistro

A “wow” dining experience. We arrived shortly after the restaurant had opened for the evening and while we were reviewing the menu the chef stopped by to expand on an answer a server had given us. In doing so, he suggested that one option (not shown on the menu, as I recall) would be for him to prepare a multi-course surprise menu for us. Although we are not typically too adventurous in our food selection we were intrigued and took him up on his proposal. We gave him just a few parameters on our likes and dislikes which he took into account and then enjoyed every single course we were served none of which we would have chosen if left to our own choices. He even came out to check on us several times during the well-spaced dinner. The total cost for two 5-course meals and drinks came to about $140 USD which is more than we ordinarily spend but this dinner was well worth it. You can dine a lot less expensively off of the menu, we noticed, but this dinner was well worth it as it was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

We wanted to find a simple and intimate place to have some pasta and wine after a long day at work - we found more than that! Let's start with the food: The caprese salad was phenomenal - most of the time, when you get buffalo tomatoes in Taipei, they're mushy and watery. Merlot's ingredients were extremely fresh. Both pastas were classy A fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Don't pass on the dessert - it looks very conventional, but it's not! Now, the service: Bob is absolutely wonderful. He started the night off by introducing some wine to us. Though we didn't order anything super fancy, just the ordinary pasta, he provided us with the best service and even gave us some complimentary cheese and a taste of whiskey! If you're tired of Instagramable but unfriendly and bland restaurants that put a 90 minutes limit on your experience in Dong Qu, drop by Merlot for an actual dining experience!

Great wine, great food, great service. We had a private party for 30 people there and all my guests left very pleased that night. Bob(the owner) and his team made my job as the organizer very easy. They were cooperative, understanding, and helpful throughout the planning process and , of course, the meal service too. I myself had a great time as well. My personal favorite was chef's antipasti platter for its artful selections on meat, cheese, nuts, and other goodness. Each ingredient has unique and rich flavor yet all of them combined like a symphony. In short, this is a place you won't regret choosing as someone trying to impress your guests and as a dinner.

I went there as a surprise dinner plan for Valentine's Day. I must say I was quite impressed with the whole ambience, personalized service and the extremely delicious food. They had set up a special Valentine's Day meal course. The chef/owner came himself to treat us to a glass of sparkling wine, and then enjoyed ourselves with their fine wine selection. It was the perfect romantic atmosphere for this special day. ,y personal favorite was the mushroom soup and the steak. The steak was tender, cooked perfectly and the mushrooms on the side made a perfect balance.

Came here for Christmas dinner with my husband and we both really enjoyed the place. Food was wonderful, tasty, and plentiful. We also had the house wine and it matched the meal. The atmosphere was intimate and we felt very comfortable there, even cozy. It is a small restaurant so be sure to make a reservation!

Really wonderful place for food, ambiance, and service. Food selections were adequate and quality and taste and plating were high. Delicious! Ambiance casual enough but also nice for date. Service is super attentive and friendly. Great place for birthday date. Price is above average but reasonable for solid dining experience. Thanks Merlot!

Pumpkin soup: 5/5 Meat & Cheese platter: 4/5 Prosciutto salad: 4/5 Seafood salad: 5/5 Vegetable gratin: 5/5 Pan seared sea bass: 4/5 Sous vide chicken breast: 2.5/5 Sirloin steak (medium): 3/5 The starters were all great, but the main course options felt slightly overcooked. The chicken breast and steak were both on the dry side. The pan seared sea bass had a crisp crust and was my favorite of the three, but it still lacked a wow factor that would leave a lasting impression. Although the servers were very friendly, I have to point out that they were rather inattentive. I had to ask for my first glass of water more than 10 minutes after I sat down, and throughout the duration of the meal, I had to personally ask for water refills multiple times despite my glass being empty for extended periods of time. Overall, the dining experience was still pleasant enough, but I would choose to explore other restaurants rather than come back here again.

My wife and I had our anniversary dinner here. It was a most wonderful experience. The staff were so kind. The food was amazing and delicious. For a wonderful night, me and my wife felt so special. Good service and ambiance really makes a place special. We will definitely come back again.