Merchant Roots is iconically perfect. It's always fun and delivers wonderful food! Thank you Chef Ryan and team!!!

SPOILER ALERT I wish I could give this 10 stars. That's how blown away I was. This was a surprise dinner, I walked in completely in the dark and somehow it just kept surprising me all night. It wasn't just dinner. It was a full on whimsical, immersive experience where every corner had something clever waiting for you. Our table looked like a forest exploded in the best possible way. Moss, little details everywhere, this elaborate fairy setup that had us literally "foraging" for parts of the meal. At one point a tiny fairy door opened and revealed a sweet treat to take home. I'm not kidding. It felt like being inside a storybook but with seriously good food and drink (I did the NA pairing, excellent). And the food? Every bite and every sip perfect. Everything beautifully curated and actually delicious, not just pretty for the gimmick. Sometimes immersive spots lean hard on the theme and forget the flavor. Not here. They nailed both. ~ $400 per person which is not small change. But this isn't a casual Saturday night out. It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. The kind you talk about for years. We caught the very last day of their mushroom theme and next up is Alice in Wonderland. If I can't make it back, I'll be stalking photos because I can only imagine how over-the-top they're going to take that concept. Highly, highly recommend. If you're on the fence, do it. Some dinners are meals. This one's a memory. read more

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I wanted to love this innovative San Francisco restaurant - but I found myself in like, with a few moments of absolute love. The gimmick here is that the menu changes completely every few months, with new themes and immersive experiences. This was "Feast of Moss Woods," heavily featuring mushrooms (including a startlingly good opening sip of mushroom tea). Because of rain, we started at the bar, then moved to the main dining room (wonderful ambiance, where the theme comes alive), and wrapped up at desserts. I loved the food in the main dining room - the mushroom taco was a standout, along with a tamal and the chawanmushi - but the true standout was a tiny vegan burger (no way to describe it other than to just say it was mind-blowing). The desserts were served in the entry room, and those I was less impressed with. Service is pretty solid. I'd have given the place five stars, but the constantly-evolving menu means that some dishes just aren't fully formed yet. I am thrilled they do vegetarian nights and gluten-free nights, and I understand how difficult it is to accommodate dietary restrictions, but I ended up taking five lactaids during the meal, which is never ideal. Overall: wonderful experience, except the desserts. read more

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11/25/2025 Tuesday Dinner - Feast of Moss Woods $305/pp (Included 22% service charge + SF Health / 8.75% Taxes / $5 Order fee) Reservation: Tock, you will pay in full, non-refundable but transferable Parking: validated parking in SOMA Grand parking garage next to the restaurant. After validation, cost is $15. Experience: Trekked into the woods and forage the delicacy of the forest - mushrooms in 16 most creative, thoughtful, and enchanting courses. Mushroom tea in the garden, savory courses in the main dining room, desserts served next to the kitchen. 1) Mushroom Tea 2) Snack Bites a) Pickles Morel sprouted basil giardiniera gnome b) Shitake Shitaco c) Matsutake pine ecosystem d) Enoki cold noodle / Sesame Grissini e) Chestnut Mushroom Tartlette f) Grilled Octopus huitlacoche Nasturtium Tostada 3) Black Trumpet Chawanmashi / candied trumpets, spinach 4) Savory white button cheesecake 5) Porcini Amaranth Tamal mole negro 6) "Sierra Nevada River Trail" Trout two ways / Portobello, Verbena 7) Healing SeaFoam, lion's Mane, green apple 8) Pulled King Trumpet Sammo / Pumpkin Bbq asian Pear Krraut 9) Chanterelle Liquid Toast with Bartlett Pear 10) Tempura maitake, duck prosciutto / mustard greens 11) Boar Sausage with Crispy Buckwheat / Polenta and Wild Mushrooms 12) Short Grain Rice porridge with Dashi Crispy Chicken skin, Truffle, Grilled oyster mushroom 13) A fae feast cheese plate DESSERTS 14) Fairy Mounds 15) Candy Cap Cannele 16) Mastic Crème Brûlée 17) Dragon's Beard Brownie All the savory mushroom courses were created thoughtfully and tasted delicious. My favorites were the chawanmushi, trout, lion's mane seafoam, and duck prosciutto. On the other hand the desserts were the sub-par of all. Overall meal still 5 stars. I am a little bias since I prefer savory dishes over sweets. read more

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Amazing food, atmosphere and overall an amazing experience. We had a great time. I can't wait to go back. There were so many delicious flavors and the chefs worked hard to present the offerings in a meaningful, playful way. I can't stress enough that this is an opportunity to experience the passion and creativity of an amazing team. The vision and craftsmanship makes this different from any other meal you'll have. I'm not going to get into the details of the food, the flavors and textures. If that's something you like, this is worth the time and money. read more

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We went for the Feast of Moss Woods. It was a small dinner of 12 people so it was quite intimate. The decoration was very intricate and the initial dishes were mixed within the display. The servers are very attentive and will fill your water asap and take away dishes as soon as you're done. The biggest letdown was the food that was served. Some of the crispy rice and other items were very stale which I thought was odd. Each dish looked very nice but honestly the flavor profile was alright or didn't mix well. For the price point, I would recommend going somewhere else. read more

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The CRAZY expensive price just does not justify this food Cute creative ambiance but it's out of reach for mere mortals read more

Fun, entertaining and delicious evening spent here. They change up the menu 4 times a year. Our dinner was "Color Theory". Each course was inspired by a color, presented in a monochromatic tone with matching colored plate. With a total of 10 courses, not including the rainbow dessert plate. Definitely creative and entertaining, from the music and background snippets/movies, to not only the food itself, but the plates (some are even handmade in the back). Vibes are pretty chill. It was definitely an entertaining experience of a meal. read more

Merchant Roots - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I can finally say I've been here. I've have been trying to get a reservation here for QUITE sometime and due to the fact I'm a solo diner, this was pretty fun. The dishes were unique and it was clear that they took their time and with care. The manager/owner interacted with everyone (including me) and the mood was very "chill". Perhaps too "chill", because I sat next to the door that they kept open the whole night. I had some favorites when it came to the food, but not everything was great. The pickled snapper was great and the unique were probably the most memorable. However, that's it. I had a big issue with having to get out of my seat and move to a different section of the restaurant for dessert. I found it odd and somewhat inconvenient. I know that they most get ready for the next meal service at 8/8:30, but therefore they should have better time management. read more

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We had a great time at Feast of Moss Woods and loved the food. My only issue was that it appeared as if they forgot my wine pairing and had to ask after everyone else was already served their drinks and eaten the first course. But I loved the creativity, whimsy, fun and of course the taste of everything we had. The crispy maitake was a standout! I would definitely go back for and try another theme. read more

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If you're looking for a dinner that feels more like stepping into a fairy tale than sitting down at a restaurant, Merchant Roots is IT. I did their Immersive 17-course "Feast of Moss Woods" mushroom experience and honestly... I'm still trying to figure out if I actually ate dinner or wandered through a forest with a fork. From the moment you walk in, they hand you mushroom tea like you're about to go on some enchanted quest. The whole place is decked out like a forest scene--moss everywhere, little lanterns, tiny fairy cottages! We got a map and compass (yes, seriously) and actually had to forage for our food. Some dishes are hidden in moss boxes that open when you push a secret button. Others just... appear from the "woods." Keeps you guessing the whole time. The food? Unreal. My favorite was the Black Truffle Pop Tart! Every course layers flavors in ways that make you stop mid-bite like... "Why is mushroom toast emotional?" We also got to chat with the chefs which was super cool. You can tell they're deeply passionate about this whole world of fungi--nature, decay, rebirth, all that good stuff. This place is not just dinner. It's fine dining meets escape room meets art exhibit meets childhood treehouse fantasy. You don't just eat--you explore, you discover, and you definitely talk about it for weeks after. read more

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Well I finally made my way here and I guess I will be a regular! Their in bloom menu was lovely- unique, interesting, and very tasty. They pull out all the stops for experience- truly the level of creativity of Michelin two and three star restaurants. There are no missteps on flavor and everything was perfectly cooked and presented, but also nothing was so delicious I felt I must have it again. The highlights for flavor were the tea smoked duck and the blooming crepe. However you can see that everything was a highlight for presentation! Service was fun- the chef would address the whole group at once so it felt like a community. Highly recommend, and will be back! read more

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A dinner where I get to break things and tag the wall? SIGN ME UP. Saves me the trip to the Smash Room and I get to eat! In 2018, Merchant Roots started as an artisanal market and a year later, transitioned into a fine dining resto with themed dinners. Last fall, they moved into a much larger space (City Beer Store). Open for indoor dining only. Rezzies on Tock (tix are non-refundable). 12 seats only and two seatings a night (5:30 pm & 8 pm). Themed tasting menu changes every season (vegetarian & GF menus available). $185 pp with 22% service charge (gratuity), 5% SF mandate, and $5 order fee. Wine + non-alkie beverage pairing available. No hard alkie. F O O D 1st Visit (2/2019): "Elements" ($110 pp): https://tinyurl.com/mrv83svy Whimsical tasting menu of 9-courses inspired by outside elements like the sun, moon, air, fire, etc. Next level plating - baklava nest resting on real tree branches, bubbling dashi lava, dry-aged strip lone served on burnt wood slabs (made by the chef), and more. Lots of ooohhhhs and awwwwwws but we left a bit hungry. // 2nd Visit (1/2025): "Humpty Dumpty" ($185 pp) - Ends March 2025 (new theme starts April 2025) We visited the first night they rolled out Humpty Dumpty. The winter menu comprised of 15-courses inspired by the nursey rhyme with egg themed dishes. Dinner started at the bar area, moved into the main dining room with an open kitchen, and ended at the dessert lounge. 5+ stars for creativity but the food was a mixed bag. There were so many components that I felt it affected the texture and temperature of the food. And, while you get your monies worth, I was full before dessert. Trying to execute a new 15 course menu is a daunting task so maybe it was a matter of kinks. (1) Bar: "Break The Ice / Break A Leg" - YOU get to step on "eggshells" before being seated! - Salted Yolk Chips w/ leaf thai basil dip Light, crispy chips but didn't taste the salted egg yolk. Liked the punchy dip. - Squab Leg Musubi: https://tinyurl.com/ym4j6mm9 Cute baby musubi but it was dry, probably would have tasted better if served warm. - Tofu crepe frisée w/ honey mustard, chèvre: https://tinyurl.com/ytcywrjh Least fav starter, tofu crepe was cold and grainy. - Broken Rice w/ egg garum scramble, chili crisp rice grits: https://tinyurl.com/3p7v4tzk As a fan of cơm tấm (Viet broken rice), this was my fav starter with soft eggs and mild spiciness. - Egg Drop Soup They legit crack an egg with broth flying into the bowl. Their take on a French onion soup. - Green Eggs & Ham: https://tinyurl.com/5hcrpkfz Love the nostalgic Dr. Seuss plate but the terrine like ham & eggs were underwhelming and the chilaquiles felt out of place. (2) Dining Room: "Break Your Fast + Break The Habit" - Dippy Egg Churro: https://tinyurl.com/634frn3e Fav savory course, their take on egg and toast soldiers - light, airy, crispy "churros" with a rich, decadent eggy sauce. SO GOOD! - Smallest Ever Quail Egg Benedict w/ everything lox: https://tinyurl.com/4abf8t43 The silky lox was my fav component. - Egg Yolk Alla Carbonara: https://tinyurl.com/225f7zem Least fav savory course, the noodles had cooled and clumped together, while the yolk was too sticky to mix and incorporate into the pasta. - Beef Heart "Vitello" w/ sauce gribiche: https://tinyurl.com/4d2z6ehv Low-key tasted like pastrami, in a good way. - Farallon Island Uni Cioppino: https://tinyurl.com/t7ctmp9f Artfully plated on a broken plate, the deconstructed uni cioppino was tasty with the lush uni sauce being the highlight. Just wish the other components were warm. - Filet Mignon w/ broken bearnaise, marrow bone: https://tinyurl.com/4uj94cv6 Perfectly cooked, tender filet but the "marrow bone" seemed disjointed, like dry croutons with herbs. (3) Dessert Lounge: "Lucky Break" - Edible Shell w/ coconut, mango, passion mousse: https://tinyurl.com/2u82x73k Nice palate reset with the fresh tang of the passionfruit, but the shell was too hard and too sweet. - Warm Butter Cake w/ lemon meringue alaska: https://tinyurl.com/23werwrc Beautifully plated, this was my fav dessert of the three. Can't go wrong with butter anything! - Basque Cheesecake w/ caviar + gold: https://tinyurl.com/2m2cjbdp Fun interactive component of *smashing the glass* but I found the cheesecake dry and dense with the caviar being overwhelmingly fishy. The edible glass reminds me of haw flakes, a nostalgic chinese candy. =) S E R V I C E Refined, engaging, and efficient. Fifteen courses took ~2 hours. A M B I A N C E In theme, the space was playfully and tastefully decorated with broken mirrors, glass, plates, and cups. There was even a "wall" to tag on. P A R K I N G Two parking garages on the block: SoMa Grand and Trinity Garage. Overall, while I didn't love the food, I loved the experience at Merchant Roots. It was truly unique and one of a kind, and an enjoyable break from formulaic fine dining. read more

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I'd been wanting to try Merchant Roots for a while but it can be hard to get reservations since they don't seat many people. Totally missed out on their previous theme focused on mushrooms so when I saw the next theme was egg-based, I immediately booked reservations two months ago for our dinner last week. The theme is actually Humpty Dumpty so besides eggs, there was also a focus on breaking things. My favorite thing about dinner was how creative they tried to be, even down to the plating. It was really interesting hearing how they even make some of it themselves to get exactly the effect they want. It all just added to the fun and uniqueness of the experience. I also wish I had paid more attention to the music since the playlist is curated to go along with the theme. Getting the paper about continued experiences was also a nice touch so we could see some of what inspired the courses. Foodwise, the courses could have been edited a bit. It feels shocking for me to say this but there might have been too much food haha. I felt bad because I couldn't finish the final dessert but almost everyone else struggled too (and a couple had already tapped out on finishing their closes earlier). And there were a few courses that didn't wow me so I felt like they could have been skipped. Or courses where the portion could actually have been smaller. But honestly I'm not going to complain much about having too much to eat when that's far preferable to ending a meal still hungry. My favorite courses were Breaking Bread (so fun picking out my egg holder and dipping my churros), Break His Fall (delicious carbonara and loved the handmade wall to set the scene), Broken Rice (the most delicious grits with soft luscious scrambled eggs), and Break the Bank (so fun breaking the "glass" and I love basque cheesecake). Honorable mentions to the bone marrow in Break a Bone, the tofu crepe in Broken Trust, and the oohing over lifting the egg to pour out the hollandaise in Break a Record (except my egg had toppled over when it was served to me so I didn't get to do it myself). read more

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We had such a wonder-land and amazing experience at the Sleepover. I'd say the food for me what hit and miss on the dishes. The shrimp was off the charts amazing. The goat was too gamey. The dessert with the Shel Silverstein poem was my all time fave. Though we both felt there were too many dessert choices. Really was not a fan of the pizza - it was too overboard and the crust was too oily. Maybe real pizza dough next time? The only downside was the main chef as he seemed uncomfortable and dismissive. Our server was great tho! The strawberry room was a lovely highlight for sure. A must try!!! Good times and great memories were had. :) read more

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Amazing experience! Wait staff was phenomenal and I love how each dish is personalized. Not only was it delicious to the palate, also delicious to the eyes. read more

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A childhood sleepover -- my strict Filipino upbringing could never. To experience this tradition as an adult, I simply had to make a reservation for Merchant Roots "Sleepover" themed dinner subtitled "A Menu of Bedtime Stories & Nursery Rhymes." I chose the 14-course vegetarian tasting for my group & it is to the restaurant's compliment that my carnivore bf enjoyed every dish aside from one -- a mushroom dish with a heavy adobo flavoring which I do agree is an acquired taste. Our dining adventure started with a packed Jansport backpack complete with handwritten letter from Mom & snack packets comprised of the ingredients of our first course resembling a beet salad. Each subsequent course was introduced by their staff of chefs as a modern soundtrack played. What unfolded over a fast-paced hour and a half was a well thought-out process of an actual sleepover: -- stargazing in the dark; this dish had hushpuppy & polenta star cutouts. -- storytime about children who left breadcrumbs to find their way back home as told by a dish resembling SF's own Land's End Labyrinth; three porridges - one too hot, one too cold, one just right a la Goldilocks; & the monster under the bed turned out to be a strawberry gastrique bear. -- no details were left out as we moved to the pillow fort room for the latter half of dinner. -- cold pizza (tartlette) before "brushing our teeth" with edible chocolate mint "toothpaste" & toothbrush-shaped chocolate. -- midnight snack of milk & cookies. The variety of cookies were as impressive as they were unique; same went for the four "bespoke" milks. -- breakfast before going home was a play on popular cereals. Merchant Roots changes themes quarterly; excited to see what whimsical adventures & culinary delights await. read more

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This is perhaps my favorite fine dining restaurant! Every 3 months it's a new creative culinary adventure. I've been to the last 3, and all have been great in their own way. It's great you get to meet the head chef and the other staff are all very friendly and make you feel welcome. Only thing is I would love if they could do vegetarian substitutions on non veggie days. I'd love to try a fish course (I'll eat fish occasionally) but not all of the red meat. read more

Merchant Roots - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a fantastic food experience. Go in with an open mind and empty belly. Very small space in the Fillmore but it's filled with so much heart and soul. Chef run, historical and personal flourishes - like photos of their Nonna's on the wall. Wasn't sure about the theme Pasta and Stories mid-summer, but with the temperature drop yesterday it was welcome. Enjoyed every morsel. So many techniques, fresh herbs, fermented foods, lesser used proteins like oxtail and squab. Twists on classics which brought a smile to our palates. Natural wines are abundant and available by the glass. The parting gift is so well thought out just like the rest of the meal. Not sure how many services they have until they move to their new location in SOMA, but I will be back, still thinking about the whole evening. Truly a special dining experience. read more

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Magical. Unique. Unpredictable. This was an "instead of Disneyland" splurge for us, and between the two I consider this the more special and memorable experience. We booked our dinner at Merchant Roots as a "once in a lifetime" experience, but I will 100% return for some future special occasion. Delightful! read more

The Color Theory theme at Merchant Roots highlights the aesthetic of various colors through taste, texture, and technique. It is an expression of how they react to and thinks about color. The experience is done in scheduled seatings, so you'll be eating the same thing at the same time as everyone else in the restaraunt. The new space in SOMA is pretty large; it used to be the City Beer Store so there's a lot of alcohol storage and a bar. The night started off with a small tour of the restaraunt. There's an outdoor area for people to hang out if they arrive early or something (I have no clue, they didn't talk about it so I'm probably just talking out of my ass.) The open kitchen is in the front, but they first take us to a back room where the chef/owner is plating up our first snack/course. He talks about how they make their own plates etc. to fit their vision and then moves us into the wine storage/bar area. The first course, Gold, is a corn Æbleskiver, which was sort like a fried corn ball. Honestly, I don't remember anything about it other than the popcorn is sweet. Then, they pour us a Pink sparkling watermelon gazpacho. It is essentially salty soda. Next, they move the group to the main seating area. The tables are all faced towards the pass so we can see them plating the food as they introduce the dish and concept behind it. They come around and dust a mysterious White powder (creme fraiche snow, so they say... ;) ) onto a coconut poached sole. The fish is very melty and the soft coconut flavor works really well with it. The kimchi/pickled components are very salty. The next dish is a Green potted plant breaking free of its confines. The pot is made of freeze-dried vegetables, I think. It has a cardboard like texture, but the flavor is pretty good. The rest of the dish is a mixture of healthy tasting vegetables. Orange is some puffed carrot chips shaped into a carrot and a finely diced salmon crudo mixed with preserved oranges. The sauce under the carrot chips is pleasantly spicy. They introduce Blue as a color that isn't generally seen as appetizing as they give us food that has blue tints. Perfect. They come around and pour some liquid nitrogen around a blue corn and crab souffle to emulate the mist from the bay or something romantic sounding, idk I wasn't listening. It's very good. Yellow is a pile of dehydrated leaves. And some fruit. Brown is a black truffle, acorn and wild boar pasta with some bread and brown butter. It's as deep and earthy as you can imagine. As I eat it, I recall reading something about raw acorns being toxic (the ones served are cooked so no worries here!) Red is the best course of the night. It's a 72 hour sous-vide short rib with potato croquettes. The short rib is so so tender, you don't even need a knife to cut it, yet it still holds it's structure. They mention something about the croquettes being inspiried by hot chicken (the breading) but it's not spicy at all; it's very crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. There are two dessert courses, the first being a deconstructed cheesecake with Violet blueberries and... kalamanta olives... The crust is like flavored saw dust and I don't like olives in my cheesecake. We rebound well with a Black forest chocolate mousecake. It looks so cool and has the perfect amount of sweetness and richness. And I don't even like cake. Forgot what it was but there are some crunchy crumb things to add texture. The night ends with some more sweets in the form of Skittles taffy and sherbet. Some of the dishes were a little too experimental for me, but that's part of what food is about: trying new things. It was great to hear the inspirations behind each dish. I might be wrong here, but each dish was introduced by a different individual, suggesting that maybe each person in the kitchen was able show their creativity and vision through their own course. I'm sure it was a team effort but it's cool to think that everyone got a chance to be the lead in one of the courses. I really enjoyed the experience and look forward to their next theme. Oh and on the way to the beautifully decorated bathroom, there's a small nook hidden behind a dark curtain. There's a whimsical area where if you press a button, bubbles float down from the ceiling. I didn't know they were edible(?) but my detective skills tell me they taste like strawberries, given the bright neon light in the shape of a strawberry on the wall and the sign that says something about strawberry madness. read more

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Amazing!! So much fun. We all loved this place so much. So incredibly inventive, unique, delicious. My son discovered this place and we were not entirely sure of the whole concept. However, it really was incredibly delicious and I can promise you that you won't forget this experience. Big thank you to the chef and staff for creating (inventing) this very special place for dinner. Please please don't hesitate to try it! You will definitely not regret it! read more

Came for Pasta and Stories -- what a stunning experience. Easily one of my top fine dining experiences. Detailed breakdown below: **Service, 5/5** There are as many staff as there are patrons! With only 8 guests at a time (although they're moving locations and will do 12-person seatings soon), you're really well taken care of. Everyone puts so much care and effort into making it a memorable and interactive experience; truly makes for a special evening. **Decor & cleanliness, 5/5** Decor changes each season along with the menu and dinnerware, which adds to the intimacy and interactiveness of the meal. **Price & portion, 5/5** After tax and service charge, you'll be paying over $200/person. But this is seriously a one of one experience; highly recommend trying at least once! **Presentation of the food, 5/5** Mind. Blowing. From items you assemble yourself, to things set on fire, ingredients prepared in front of you, and a true homage to the theme, the care, thought, and effort put into each dish seriously shows. **Taste of the food, 5/5** Each of the 13 courses was fantastic in its own right, but some of the stand outs for me were the black cod, "twisted towels" with orange and fennel mousse, snake in the grass, and the angels & devils dish. So many pasta varieties I'd never had before, flavor combinations I wouldn't have even thought of preparing together, and takes on classics (snake in the grass as a twist on spaghetti and meatballs) made this one of the best dinner experiences I've had, and easily the most interactive. Can't wait to try their other seasonal themes! read more

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Wow! One of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. And that's says a lot. If you know me, you know that I absolutely crave and embrace creativity in all forms. I applaud those who take risks bc to them it works and they're willing to go on a limb and hope it works for the masses. Merchant roots, my friends, has done this and beyond. The entire experience from to start to finish was a story, a color palette journey. Our theme was color. It start with Gold, corn, miso croquets with popcorn. Then white, a seafood type bisque. Green, was my fave, the potted plant with salad. So cute! Orange, carrot insipid. Blue, was a Smokey seafood, caviar, tamale tasting concoction. Yellow, fall foilage, brown, truffle pasta, and it went on and on. Every dish was plated with perfection. From the coordinating colored lights and protections on the walls. The decor and the whole layout added to the colorful theme vibe. Definitely worth a Michelin star. Def coming back for another themed dinner, thag change quarterly. read more

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I love Merchant Roots immersive experience. Not only are you eating delicious dishes, but a story is told behind each dish. The theme of the night was mushroom foraging and I loved how the restaurant was decorated to give a forest-like vibe. Service was impeccable and I loved how the staff explained the story behind each dish. Highlights Black trumpet mushroom with poached quail egg and black trumpet puree- the presentation of the mushroom in the shape of a nest was beautifully plated. The quail egg was perfectly poached with a lovely runny yolk. The black trumpet's earthiness was lightened up by the creamy puree. Tempura enoki- Enoki was not drenched in oil but was crisp. The dashi was packing lots of umami flavor and made a great combo. Porchetta with chanterelles- the Chanterelles pepper like flavor profile really elevated the porchetta. The only thing I would've liked more is if the skin of the porchetta was a tad bit crispier. Overall great experience and definitely will be back to try their other menus. read more

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Came here for the Humpty Dumpty themed dinner and I can't recommend them enough. The reservation system was easy and they do 4 dinners a week so book ahead of time as the restaurant is very intimate and they do book out. The dining experience is so unique with combining art and storytelling along with delicious and beautifully plated dishes. I was so impressed by the creativity that went around egg based dishes and the different non alcoholic drinks that came with the pairing. The dinner is served by the chefs themselves and they all work together to create the menu and accompanying art so you get to see several people's worth of creativity. All the dishes I had were very tasty and y favorite would have to be the broken rice dish in the beginning. You travel through different parts of the restaurant for different parts of the meal and it's just a very unique experience. Overall an incredibly date night out and I'll definitely be back to try their other dinners. read more

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Can't believe I have not known this place for so long! Super creative and talented team. I love their unique twist on each dish and every dish brings laughter/surprise. December: time traveling theme I'll definitely be coming back for future theme. It looks like they rotate the themes quarterly each year. Sucks all the previous theme are no longer avaliable . But I'm excited to see future new ideas from the awesome team. Guess I'll be in SF every quarterly then read more

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This place lived up to the hype- food and service were fantastic, and it was such a unique dining experience. Can't wait to return for their next menu. Highlights were the shitake taco, trout, rice porridge with mushroom broth, mushroom French toast, brownie and the non alcoholic drink pairings. The floating forest mocktail is hands down the best mocktail I've ever had. Only negative is that the restaurant is a bit messy- doesn't totally feel like a five star setup. There was a workspace with boxes clearly visible from the dining room, and the stock room was open when I went to the bathroom. read more

Wow... just wow... There's so much that goes into the planning for this meal and experience. And the chefs told us that they change the experience quarterly. The atmosphere is on point with the theme, ours was Time Traveling. You are transported through different times with the food and stories and your decisions may affect what happens in the future - I loved the interactive part. Here are the favorites: Taste: noodles with Duck Nostalgic: edible chia pet Mind blowing: the dessert craziness I'm not sure how many courses there were but we were stuffed and had to waddle back to our place after. Truly a really amazing experience. We will definitely be back. read more

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Wow I smell Michelin stars!!!! We heard amazing things about their pasta experience in the old location and was sad to miss it. But they just opened their new location in SOMA and wow what a beautiful space! We did the color experience where the each dish represents a color from the rainbow. The service was flawless. Glass was always full. Staff were super friendly and excited about the grand opening! Each person presented a dish with so much passion! Each dish was super creative and almost looks like artwork. I felt bad eating it cause it was plated so pretty! My favorite from the experience was orange and blue. Definitely do the wine pairing! read more

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What a way to interact and enjoy playful food- colors, tastes, consistencies, and a different menu every few months to enjoy! The service is impeccable. These people love what they do, and although they may seem serious for service, but if you interact with them a bit, they certainly warm up. The new space changes with the theme and courses, but it's typically quiet since they only have twelve seats per seating. Their new space is absolutely fantastic, and they will sell you bottles from their wine pairings or from their list at a VERY affordable price. My favorite wine from the pairings was not as expensive from them as the last bottle I got from the grocery store. Their cookies are also amazing! The wine pairings were so spot on, and really, really delicious. I've been to three separate evenings with them and I have experienced some amazing and delightful things. Crunching through autumn leaves. Remembering bittersweet memories of those who cared for me. Flying food (in a good way!). Changing the past and future. Remembering my earliest memories. What a mind-expanding way to spend some time. read more

Merchant Roots - Black. Doesn't it just sink into the shadows? - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Fungi ‍ Fan Merchant Roots in San Francisco is a one of a kind thematic and immersive dining experience Their dinner series rotate seasonally and I was fortunate to attend one of the last seatings for their mushroom-centric dinner, 'Into The Forest' Being a dedicated carnivore, I had my doubts about the evening's vegetarian menu (6-7 dinners in the series are typically vegetarian-only, while most cater to omnivores), but I approached it with an open mind The intimate space and whimsical decor had me smiling while the array of dishes and their preparation made me truly appreciate the diversity of a vegetarian meal Chef Ryan Shelton has crafted something truly unique and the experience is enhanced while meeting some of the friendliest and creative fellow diners I've shared a meal in a long time Thank you Merchant Roots for taking me into the forest and expanding my horizons King Trumpet Chips and Dip / Tofu Crudo & Porcini / Corycep Salad / Red Cap Mushroom Stuffing / Morels in XO / Shiitake Mushroom Parfait with Savory Caramel / Winter salad of Twigs & Mushrooms / Hen of the Woods Soup / Smoked Oyster Mushroom Braised Kabocha / Yellowfeer with Eggplant / 65° Quail Egg with Black Trumpet Puree / Tempura Enoki Agadashi / Fairy Ring Gnudi / Truffle with Oyster Mushroom Sausage / Chocolate Pot de Crème / Buche eclair / Candy Cap Ice Cream Merchant Roots (San Francisco, CA) Reservations are required on Tock and dining is indoor only. All credit cards including AmEx are accepted. read more

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I found them on Instagram and instantly booked a reservation. I was drawn to their fun themes. I have to admit I'm not a huge pasta person like I used to be bc it's usually on the heavier side. However I still booked pasta story bc I was dying to try this place. The restaurant is on the smaller on the side, but still cozy and well decorated. I was surprised by how light and well put together each dish was. It wasn't heavy at all to my surprise, and I found myself wanting more. I didn't like my tomato slushie, but I truly enjoyed the rest. It was whimsical and delicious. They did the pho so well also! I booked color story after eating 3 dishes haha. I also felt like a judge from Chopped because each chef comes out to talk about their dish. I can't wait for more themes. read more

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I would give zero stars if I could. I made a prepaid reservation at this restaurant, paying the full price up front. Unfortunately, both my friend and I came down with COVID right before our reservation. Out of respect for public health and their own staff and fellow diners, I contacted the restaurant immediately to cancel and asked for a refund or even a credit toward a future date. I spoke directly with Ryan, the head chef, and his response? A cold, unapologetic refusal. No refund. No reschedule. He pushed me to find others who could take me and my friend's spot after he said they find it nearly impossible to fill spots the day before. No consideration whatsoever. Essentially: "Thanks for your money, too bad you're sick." I even asked if he would prefer if my friend and I show up with covid and he said "that's a choice you would have to make." It contradicts what he has on his site which says: "Merchant Roots has heavily considered the current health climate due to recent variants and trends, as presented by COVID-19. We are ensuring that our staff continues to remain current with their vaccinations; and we are additionally requesting that all guests continue to do the same." But coming into the restaurant testing positive for Covid is okay? I understand restaurants have policies, but good businesses also have compassion and common sense. Penalizing customers for doing the responsible thing and staying home while contagious is not only heartless, it actively encourages people to show up sick just to avoid losing hundreds of dollars. That is dangerous, irresponsible, and frankly shameful. This place clearly values profit over people. I won't be back, and I'll be warning others to steer clear of a business that treats its patrons with such disregard. There are plenty of restaurants that understand hospitality means more than just taking your money. read more

Man this definitely took me into a wild mushroom fantasy I never thought of experiencing. From the whole forest-y vibe to the well-decked-out forest table, Merchant Roots definitely executed the vibe check. With my group, we were so stoked about trying an immersive experience and mushrooms definitely stood out. Disclaimer we love mushrooms too. What's cool about this place is that they rotate their menu seasonally. So this theme, they did mushrooms titled, "Into the Forest." After another couple months, it'll be another set menu. I really thought I was gonna leave this place starving since I thought this was just a mushroom-themed restaurant, but to my surprise I left feeling satiated and surprisingly pretty satisfied overall. Shoutout to Chef Ryan! You did a great job alongside your sous chefs to concoct this menu while explaining each dish with such a whimsical approach. They give you a few bites/appetizers before seating you! With a rustic approach, the menu is set like a trail, where you are "trailing" into each dish with a 17-course dinner. We started with the King Trumpet Chips and Dip, Hamachi Crudo and Porcini Aminos, Venison Tartare with Charred Cordyceps and Cranberry Juniper, Red Cap Mushroom Muffin, Morels in XO, Shiitake Mushrooms Perfect with Savory Caramel, Winter Salad of Twigs and Mushrooms, Hen of the Woods Soup, Smoked Oyster Mushroom Braised Kabocha, Yellowfeet with Porchetta, Apricot, 65° Quail Egg with Black Trumpet Puree, Tempura Enoki Agedashi Abalone, Fairy Ring Gnudi w/ Sage and Duck Sausage, Truffle with Lobster Bisque Celeriac, Chocolate Pot de Creme, Buche Root Eclair, and Candy Cap Ice Cream with Winter Fruit. The menu isn't just mushrooms! There are also meat dishes incorporated into this theme, while keeping the mushroom essence justice. While not every single dish was a hit for me, I will say a lot of the dishes stood out. I loved the Hen of the Woods soup, Tempura with Agedashi Abalone, this Mushroom Consomme with this Truffle Oil Crumpet, and the Maple Candy Cap Ice Cream. The soups that they offered definitely stood out and it captured the defined flavor of the fungi. I also really liked the Egg with Black Trumpet Puree. The quail eggs were cooked to perfection and that rustic taste from the puree was a nice warm compliment. Definitely make your reservations before coming at least a month in advance so you can snag a table of your liking. This was a great experience overall. read more

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My friends and I went yesterday and adored Merchant Roots. In short: the service was 10/10 (super friendly, funny and kinda), the food was yummy and beautifully plated and the details they put into crafting the space was very appreciated. This is easily the best nonalcoholic pairing I've seen with a meal. I'm going to try to go in order, in detail as best as I can but there were so many courses that I expect myself to miss some details. You walk into the restaurant and they have a little seating area for you to start your first few bites as they welcome you. We started off with a stuffed mushroom cap, which wowed all of us with its meaty flavor. The cumin seasoning was a nice touch. It was then followed by portobello tea (consommé ?) which was SO yummy. I could have drank that tea forever. It came with a little gruyere (?) with truffle butter and woweeee. Very fragrant. Next, we moved to the main dining area which also had a beautiful menu (thank you as I needed this to help me remember) and an even more beautiful set up to create a foraging in the forest experience. We started off with three little bites, hidden in small bowls: - king trumpet chips and dip. LOVED the Dungeness crab dip. Personally I would have liked the trumpet chips cut a little thicker so they could retain the crispness a little more! - hamachi crudo with yuzu kosho and porcini: I could eat raw fish and yuzu kosho, but I was surprised by the porcini as I didn't know how it would pair - surprise: surprisingly well! - venison tartare with charred cordycup and cranberry juniper. I loved the crisp of the cordycup but I wish I had more bites of this as I felt that there were so many flavors going on here! Next we had the red cap mushroom muffin, morel in XO and shiitake mushrooms parfait with savory caramel. I'm going to be honest here: I loved the XO sauce so much that I completely blanked on the other two. Maybe it's my Cantonese blood, but I am a sucker for a good tangy, umami, crunchy XO. The next few dishes were the winter salad of twigs and mushrooms, hen of the woods soup with panino, smoked oyster mushrooms with braised kabocha. In this set, the hen of the woods soup stood out. There was a "spiders nest" for us to break through and some cooler ice cream inside which made for a really fun balance of flavors! The kabocha was cooked a little Al dente, so there was still some crunch to it, which I'm not used to! Next were the mains: porchetta, quail egg with black trumpet purée, tempura enoki agedashi abalone, fairy ring he brush with sage and duck sausage, truffle with lobster bisque and celery. These all stood out in different ways - the porchetta was plate beautifully and paired with a lot of interesting garnishes, like red dates. In typical me fashion, I would have preferred a crispier skin but it was quite yummy still. - the quail eggs were cooked to perfection. The yolk spilled out with a little pressure and it was so yummy. The run down of the black trumpet they gave us also made me fall in love with the mushroom more and give a new appreciation for it! - the enoki agedashi really stood out. The broth was really clear but still had the perfect savory flavor to it. - the fairy ring was also delicious. I can't say I've ever had a duck sausage before and now I can it's delicious. Really enjoyed the puree with it. - lobster with truffle and celery: we all love a good lobster tail and truffles so this was a nice closer. The scalloped celery was a unique touch and very appreciated! We ended with by moving to another seating area, continuing our adventure in the forest, and ended with three lovely desserts: - chocolate pot de creme: you added your own chocolate bits to a smooth and yummy dessert - buche roof eclair: rich and unique - candy cap ice cream with winter fruits: very unique flavor and I loved the pomegranate seeds with it - a little peppermint mushroom to take home: honestly haven't had this yet but it was so cute and came in a little basket! Into the woods, their mushroom themed menu, is coming to a close soon but I look forward to seeing their other menus. Pasta is the last theme they will have in this location and then they're moving to a larger space in soma where they will only slightly increase the size of the seatings to keep the emphasis on small group dining. read more

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Extra extraordinary experience! Chef Ryan has created a marvel at his new location. Never have I been in a restaurant that is so luxurious spacious with only 11 other diners. I'm pretty sure there were weight staff and sous chefs than there were customers. The food is such a creative journey, in this case it was the color theory menu. The sense of whimsy and fun was a nice juxtaposition with the absolute serious intent of the entire endeavor. The lighting and music tracked to the menu which certainly was appreciated, but of course the star was the food. I have enjoyed many extra extravagant tasting menus at fine restaurants, and this lives up to some of the best. It is also quite reasonably priced considering the experience. They also have a wonderful selection of lions for purchase at very excellent rates. We plan to go at least two or three times a year! read more

Came for the omnivore foraging meal and it was outstanding and fun. Everything was spot on to me. I especially loved the tempura dish, the soup dish, and the ricotta dumpling dish. Everything was perfectly salted to me and timed well. Service was lovely. It was also a fun concept. My only critique is that we didn't love the entire second half of the wine pairing. The whites were great, the reds and oranges were not to either of our likings, so next time I'd order by the glass. Overall a very special and tasty experience. We also left stuffed. read more

Merchant Roots - Winter salad - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Absolutely delightful experience that I've been waiting for for a while now. I prefer seafood-centric meals and was excited to see this menu being offered. Everything was tied back to the theme from the presentation to the ingredients. Truly a feast for the mermaids. I thought the dishes were quite creative, particularly the kelp farm. Fave dish has to be the cod in the seashell dish. So pretty and the broth was super flavorful. Staff and owner are very friendly and the transition between each dish is quick. Great Fri-date night spent celebrating our new marriage. read more

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Yikes. Unfortunately, this completely missed the mark for us. You can absolutely tell that the chefs take so much pride in what they are doing here, but the execution and service fell flat for us over $400. At that price point, you don't expect lukewarm courses or not to be offered water when seated. I asked if they had a drink menu, and was sassily told "We do have a drink menu! Do you want to see the drink menu?!" Well yes, that's why we asked. We had been sitting at the bar area for over 15 minutes at this point and already been served 2 courses. Still empty water glasses. We later learned that the entire staff is made up of chefs only, so there isn't any trained front of house staff on the team except for a former bartender who was honestly the star of the show for us. They started breaking down the restaurant (turning off candles, stacking dirty dishes, etc) while we were still eating. Just overall not what's you'd expect at this price point again. If it was half the price, maybe it would be more tolerable but still, the food was not executed well. The theme and decorations are interesting, albeit a little tacky but it's an immersive experience. We appreciated the creativeness of the dishes and their descriptions though -- just wish it was executed better. We really wanted to like Merchant Roots, and have tried most of the fine dining offerings in the city as a comparison, but this was absolutely not worth the price point. read more