Mercury Cafe

09/11/2007 Posted by maddisam

first, the "euro-style" service wasn't amusing, even in the 'we refuse to conform because we are better than you' kind of way. I've eaten at many "euro" style establishments, but I have never been outright ignored, even by the hippest and 'weirdest' staff in Denver. I came to watch my friend play. We were one of two other tables sitting in on a totally dead Tuesday night, and they still managed to ignore us entirely. After seating ourselves, we finally got some pretentious, albeit 'DIY' style menus, which we had 45 minutes to look over before being asked "have you found something you like?" by another staff member who then managed over the coarse of another 15 minutes to find our waiter to send him over to ask the same question again. The salad did eventually arrive, complete with limp lettuce with brown edges, on a plate that was way too small. We then had time to watch several other songs, smoke cigarettes, and walk to the bar to order some mediocre yet way over-flavored 4$ glasses of beer, that is undoubtedly 'better' than everyone else's beer. The food did eventually arrive cold, and bland. We are both vegetarians and do know what good vegan cooking is, and this was anything but. I would say it was a poor-man's Watercoarse but the dishes were in fact about twice as expensive. Unable to finish my gross beer, I tried to order a sprite (or 7up). "no. we don't have 'common' soda, um.. what we DO have is organic, agave sweetened (?) lemon-lime flavored vegan soda, thats way better than those 'common' sodas". So 30min later, I'm finishing my SPRITE, and we realize that they do not take credit cards. They did, however have an ATM, which, lucky for the waiter only gives out 20's, because by this time I was so tired that i couldn't bear to wait for change, so I dropped the 20's, and RAN for the exit. I realize that this isn't Perkins, and conforming isn't hip, but if you're going to serve bland food extremely slowly and pretentiously, you shouldn't charge arm and leg.

Pros: supportive to local artists *sigh* so i guess that makes it all better. right?

Cons: everything

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/07/2007 Posted by slubcker

Blah!!! Horrible food and even worse service. If you want to be ignored by your server until they bring you awful food, then this is the place. The menu was boring and could have been put together by a 10 year old. My enchiladas were so overcooked that some of the food on the plate was unrecognizable. No one ever checked back with us to see if we enjoyed everything and the fastest service we got was when we asked for the check.

Pros: good for vegetarians

Cons: awful food, horrible service

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

06/23/2007 Posted by muppetkiss

I have been coming here for years. Not one time have I ever had an experience that wasn't absolutely wonderful. My favorite dish is the California omlet. Order a side of hollandaise and you will have an experience to die for. Where else can you get a glass of cherry juice with your breakfast? Or some of the most amazing coffee you ever had in your life & you can drink it with a little organic honey as well. There's dancing, art, poetry slams, you can expand your mind, talk politics, look at funky people, be a funky person, listen to live classical music on a Sunday morning... what could be better?

Pros: People watching, art, good food, vegan friendly

Cons: Don't come if you're a Republican, hate weirdos or are expecting Perkins.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/03/2006 Posted by newsomed

$1 Swing dance lessons on Sundays, with national champs, and reasonable prices for the Tuesday and Thursday lessons. 3 nights a week Swing takes over. You're back in 1937 all over again. It ain't dancin' with the stars, it is however something else truly amazing and inspiring. Young, old, black, white, rich poor, dressy or not, you'll feel at home here. Sure the service isn't the best, all the time, but the drinks are poured strong, the music is always perfect, and its just about as cool of a bohemian place as there is. Theres a ton of parking right there, so you don't have to deal with that, and if you want to sit in a table all night and take up space, read a book, and drink 40 cups of coffee, by all means, they'll let you. Poets tear it up, tango dancers glide somberly across the floor, and you never know when you're going to see a world class piano player, a fire-eater, a juggler, a tarot card reader, or a celebrity here. Famous folks go out of their way to come here. Ocassional national musical acts, professional theatre, and more also grace the calendar. They offer budget weddings, organic food, and gluten free deserts. A lot of business is done with co-ops and small farmers, so you know ifs good for the local economy. They are not installing windmills to power the place. If you're at all green, this place will make you happy. Its not the Macaroni Grill. If thats what you're looking for, well go there instead, but if you want something that makes you think of New York, Seattle, or Argentina, this is the place. You have to visit to understand it. Art shows, food specials, fun dancing, and romantic lighting, I really can't describe all the things that make this place fun. Go, when you're not in a hurry, and with someone you love, or go looking for someone to love, you won't be dissapointed.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/06/2006 Posted by sybil_baby

The Mercury's recipes and ingredients are amazing, and when spot-on, the eggs florentine is the absolute best in Denver. The service, however, is inconsistent. I've had a couple of bad experiences, one of them the last time I was there. The staff complained loudly that the remaining customers would never leave so they could go home. While this was going on, my table's food sat around getting cold. We would have been long gone before quitting time if the food been brought to us when it was still hot. I disagree with the other reviewer that says people think the service is bad because the staff doesn't conform. The staff is generally friendly and fun... they just forget about you sometimes. Nevertheless, you *should* give it a try. I recommend going during peak times. Honestly, you have the best shot at hot food and good service if you do.

Pros: quality ingredients, delicious recipes, awesome ambience

Cons: inconsistent service

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/04/2006 Posted by scriberegrl

This is a great restaurant for dancing, performances, or even just a drink or coffee. Unique atmosphere and friendly staff. But, beware-they don't take credit-cards--bring cash!

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Entertainment

Cons: Price, Parking, Crowded

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

01/23/2006 Posted by pushpin_glory

The Mercury is one of my favorites in Denver because they have a great ambience and organic/natural food. I wouldn't, however, go out of my way to say that their food is excellent every single time. Last time I was there, I had a delicious piece of fish that was cooked perfectly. The time before that I had a kebab and it was also quite moist and tasty. Alas, there are some misses that come with the hits. A reasonably tasty main dish might have undercooked veggies. You might get a dessert sampler to marvel at the pie, but wonder why they have to make their vegan cake so......um....dry! The cooks seem to have the most struggle with under-and over-cooking, but other than that, it's yummy food and great for a date. Check out Valentine's Day, where they assemble a whole menu of aphrodisiac foods.

Pros: colorful, funky crowd, organics

Cons: inconsistency

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/11/2005 Posted by chickletjones

? You've probably moved here from somewhere else, but the Merc has been around for 20 plus years and refuses to conform to your version of a restaurant, be it a steak house or veg paradise. The wait staff conforms to the menu, not the diner, and most of the "slow service" can be attributed to having your food made to order. The only reason I'll ever move back to Denver is to eat at the Merc...

Pros: Great Food, Insane Ambience, Lively, lovely people

Cons: waiting to for cooked, food, new vegetarians

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/25/2002 Posted by amkem

I have been going to the Merc for years. Best healthy and creative food in town. They have interesting staff and a great menu. I think the specials are always the way to go. Love the bread. You can get 1/2 meals for 1/2 price. Service is often spastic, so just sit back and chill.

Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Staff

Cons: Service, Smoking allowed, No Credit Cards

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/15/2002 Posted by saffronjones

We've been dancing at the Mercury several times, but one time ate there with a group of 20 friends. I want to recommend it and I want it to be successful, but I have to say it was the worst dinner I've had in Denver. I love many things about the Mercury Cafe, but the food just isn't one of them. I ordered a tofu stirfry without mushrooms, and it came out looking perfect and crispy but with mushrooms as the main ingredient. I sent it back and it took over 30 minutes for the replacement to come. Many of my friends had left by then! The replacement was gooey and raw. I was nothing but charming to the staff, but I was so disappointed. My husband doesn't even want to go there to dance anymore after that.

Pros: supports local vendor, best swing dancing, varied veggie menu

Cons: inexperienced service, slow service, awful food

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful