Merlot

Why does a bar that specializes in overpriced martinis with cutesy names name itself after a red wine? And those over-priced martinis with cutesy names are so contrived that the bartenders need to continually refer to a recipe guide. (Although the himbo bartender managed to construct an Absolut martini without guidance.) Merlot is trying to hard to be hip and failing miserably. The ambiance, if it can be called that, is dominated by decor chosen by George Jetson on a drunken shopping spree at Ikea, with a nod to bad op-art.

Merlot was the only bar visited by the Barflies (so far) that had something resembling a dress code. Ironically, Mr, Draft's Barfly colleague, Mr. Merlot, was asked to remove his baseball cap upon entering the establishment (a fashion tip thoroughly endorsed, by the way, by Mr. Draft, who believes that baseball caps should not be worn by grown men, unless they are at a ballpark,,,and actually playing baseball.)

And, of course, as the specialty is martinis, there were no drafts. Except the chilly reception...

No drafts, an atmosphere stolen from Futurama, a needless dress code, and over-priced martinis...Mr. Draft gives it a 2.

7 comments:

Scott Alan Chang said...

How much stock should one take in a review that has a gramatical error in it's "mission statement"

"Description: We are not an official news source, not even close. We represent no one but ourselves. Any opinions are ARE own and not very good to begin with.
Hell we have been drinking."

It should read....."any opinions are OUR own".....and you are correct they are not very good to begin with. Perhaps you might try writing a review without benefit of injesting one of those "drafs" you seem so fond of. "Hell we have been drinking" is NOT a license to bo RUDE.

I happened into Mertlot quite by mistake one fateful night in Early November. Needless to say I have been back just about every night since.

Let's face it, Mr. Draft.....You just didn't like the place. To use your other INANE reviews on these pages as a point of refernece, it's quite clear that the place was just OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE!

"Why does a bar that specializes in overpriced martinis with cutesy names name itself after a red wine?".....I'll agree with just a portion of that statement....I don't really get the name Merlot either for a martini bar.....But where else can you go to get a good martini for less than $6.00 or $7.00.

No....it's not a PUB....it's not a brewery....there is no beer "on tap" and that's not an accident. It's a MArtini Bar......Not a pool hall!

Owners John and Mike have gone out of their way to offer a fiendly place WITHOUT attitude where friends (old and new) can enjoy a GOOD cocktail.

A personal attack on a (your words, NOT MINE) "himbo bartender"!!! COME ON!!!

Tim, the bartender is personable, a good racoutour, and a heck of a nice guy. He also mixes up quite a cocktail. Merlot is a place where the New Bedford "ELITE MEET".....It's a place where that know your name when you walk in the door and your cocktail is on the bar waiting for you before you take your seat.

The "ambiance" is trendy. VERY COSMOPOLITIAN. Again you found yourslef compelled to offer another ill sighted insult....."The ambiance, if it can be called that, is dominated by decor chosen by George Jetson on a drunken shopping spree at Ikea, with a nod to bad op-art."
In VAST contrast, the majority of the furniture in Merlot was CUSTOM MADE. I'm not denying the "touches" of IKEA here and there, but this is not the main focus of the decor.

Merlot is not a place where you're going to sit at the bar and drink $3.00 drafts all night.....and I don't think it WANTS TO BE!!!

As for the "dress code".....NO HATS ALLOWED......To quote you...."(a fashion tip thoroughly endorsed, by the way, by Mr. Draft, who believes that baseball caps should not be worn by grown men, unless they are at a ballpark,,,and actually playing baseball.)"......so what's your point??

Mr Alan gives the "barflies" a 0.2 for rudeness and a -.01 for lack of taste. STICK TO THE DIVES WITH THE $3.00 drafts and leave Merlot to those of us who can afford to, and don't have a problem paying for excellent service in an attractive environment.

I short.....If you can't play wiht the BIG DOGS......STAY OFF THE PORCH!

Have another cocktail!

mr.draft said...

Mr. Chang...

Hey, I welcome your opinion although you seem to have some serious issues involving class and financial strata: "where the elite meet"..."out of your league" (whatever that means)..."for those of us who can afford to..."

If you've read the other reviews, you'd see that I'm not a fan of "dives" (although I don't talk down to those who prefer them). The highest rated bars (those we've given a 10 are hardly "dives": Incognito, Adega, and Candleworks.

Visit them and see if they pass muster.

As to I "just didn't like the place"...right. It doesn't mean you can't. Read the reviews with a grain of salt, much like you'd read a review for a movie or an album.

And ya know...my opinion isn't going to hurt Merlot a single bit. They seem like they are doing quite well...and I hope they continue to do so. It's just not my cup of tea. Take it in the spirit of fun in which it is intended.

New Bedford has some outstanding bars and we don't have to like the same ones.

Read the other reviews and let me know if you think I've been overly harsh.

In fact, join the Barflies some time...other opinions are always welcome--I'd even buy you a drink.

Cheers...Mr. Draft

PS:
The invitation is legit...I'd be happy to have you along. Just let me know if you're interested.

Scott Alan Chang said...

Mr. Draft....
I have read all of your reviews. I whole heartedly agree with the establishments which have rated a "10" ......Who can argue that Adega is a wonderful place to meet, eat, and drink.

My issue with your review of Merlot was that it appeared to be a very PERSONAL and UNJUST attack. Your refernece to the "himbo" bartender was most certainly NOT called for.

I think what you guys are doing is interesting, and has a great deal of valitity.

As for your invitaion, I would be more than happy to join the Barflies in your quest. Rarely have I consumed a cocktail that I didn't enjoy!

That being said, feel free to contact me via email so that we can plan a visit a couple of local watering holes. Sc1012@comcast.net

(BTW....there is still a gramatical error in your "Description".....this time you left out a word)

Thanks for the prompt reply. I look forward to hearing from you and kicking back a few with you and your "gang".

Anonymous said...

Mr. Chang, might I suggest to you that the proper SPELLING of the error made by Mr. Draft is a "grammatical" one, with two M's?

Thanks for the entertaining posts gents, and also for the well-penned reviews by the Barflies! I hope to cross your paths some time. Until then, please keep up the good work!

(And as I'm sure you're thinking... I will get a real ID later, so I can cease being a chicken-sh*t anonymous stealth-blogger!)

PROST!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Chang,

It warms my heart to see that Mr. Draft and you were able to patch things up after you took such offense to his review. In the future, you might not want to throw "gramatical" stones when you live in a glass house, so to speak. I believe you meant to use the following:

gramatical: grammatical
it’s mission statement: its mission statement (showing possession)
injesting: ingesting
bo rude: be rude
Mertlot: Merlot
Early November: early November

"Needless to say I have been back just about every night since.” (Though perhaps somewhat “needless to say,” you ought to consider attending an AA meeting instead of spending nearly every night at a bar.)

refernece: reference
fiendly: friendly
racoutour: raconteur
where that know: where they know
COSMOPOLITIAN: COSMOPOLITAN
yourslef: yourself
wiht: with

Perhaps it is best to avoid critiquing the grammatical and spelling abilities of others when you yourself are incapable of stringing together a few thoughts without butchering the English language.

Cheers!
A Bored Grammarian

Anonymous said...

just wanted to say that i visited merlot on a friday night and actually had the pleasure of sitting and talking to one of the owners (CJ) for quite some time. i absolutely loved the decore, atmosphere and company. well done! great place, i am definitely recomending this place to all i know! sincerly -tall blonde chica

Anonymous said...

Ladies and Gentleman. Thanks to Mr. Chang I will now recognize Merlot as the douchebag hangout.

Nothing better than someone who's clearly associated with the reviewed bar to attack critical a review.

Keep is classy moron.