Meril is a casual, Emeril Lagasse restaurant, which is named after his daughter. This was our last meal in New Orleans and it was chefs kiss. The place is lovely. The decor is beautiful and the space is very large and great for large parties. I like that seating doesn't feel like you're on top of others that are dining. I also like the relaxing vibe and they played a great mix of music. We ordered drinks and started with some crispy brussels sprouts and candid pork ribs that was shared with the table. For my main dish, I had the shrimp linguine, and the Indigo French 75. For dessert, I had the Grand Marnier Tiramisu. My dessert was large enough for everyone to taste. All of us had only great things to say about our meals. And there was so much more that I would like to try in the future. Great vibes, delicious food, relaxing atmosphere and excellent service. You can't go wrong with Meril! read more

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I wish I could give this a higher rating but damn.... We were psyched to come and hit this spot after getting apps at Peche which I love. Made a reso in case it was busy and walked in with an empty restaurant and bar, which was delightful because other spots like Peche and Cochon were packed. But now we know why :( Bartender was the least friendly person I've encountered in all my trips to Nola. As a bartender myself, we all have bad days! But there's no excuse for improperly building/shaking a featured cocktail. I'd bet he was new to bartending all together and not just new to the restaurant. Ordered spicy margs that weren't shaken and therefore not properly diluted. The rim was nice and the dehydrated lime was lovely- based on the ingredients, it was designed to be a delicious balanced marg but with a shoddy make, it just didn't taste nice at all. We wanted to do a bunch of apps and drinks like we always do so even after the blah cocktails we still got the pineapple bacon cornbread cake. Delicious- warm, spicy and moist. But I just wanted to get out of there because the ambiance and vibe at the bar was so bad... too many other awesome spots with great staff and food to visit to spend more than a few mins at Meril :( read more

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Meril is a nice, casual spot from Chef Emeril. It's got a great vibe for relaxing with friends or making new ones at the bar, which is exactly where we were seated right when we walked in. A quick heads-up on the Happy Hour: the sign outside said 2-6pm, but we were told it's actually 5-6pm, and for some reason, it's only valid if you sit at the bar. A little confusing, so just keep that in mind! For drinks, I grabbed an NA beer and my wife got a Paloma, which she really enjoyed. To eat, we went with the Gumbo, the Crispy Turkey Necks, and the Pepperoni Flatbread. The gumbo and the turkey necks were both delicious! We did feel like the flatbread was pretty lacking, though. Overall, it's a fun atmosphere with some great standout dishes. I'd definitely go back, but I'd skip the flatbread and try something else on the menu next time. read more

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I have been here several times to take friends visiting from out of town, another time for a birthday dinner. Each and every time the service is top notch! The staff is fun and personable. The last time for the birthday we had a large group by the bar and our server was phenomenal. He actually also served me and my friends visiting me from out of town for my birthday and we were wowed by the food and service. Consistently excellent for me. read more

I stopped here for happy hour at the bar. It took a bit longer for the bartender or waiter to greet me, but he apologized for the wait. I enjoyed a strawberry lemon drop and ordered the turkey neck appetizer. Both were tasty, although the turkey neck could have been a little more tender. The space was bright and had a modern look, making the atmosphere inviting. I'd love to visit again to try one of their entrees. read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Delicious restaurant with great service and an upscale, contemporary feel. We shared a couple appetizers and the barbecue shrimp was hands down the best thing I ate in New Orleans the entire month. The shrimp were tender and flavorful, and were bathed in a sauce so incredible that words won't even begin to do it justice. You have to just go try it. A single dish rarely warrants a 5 star review in my opinion, but let that justify the transcendence of these cooked crustaceans. The crispy gulf shrimp tacos and spicy rigatoni were fantastic as well, but we agreed afterwards we should have just loaded up on those shrimps and gotten something to soak up the extravagant gravy. read more

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I have visited Meril several times over the past few years and I've always had a great experience. The servers have always been friendly and attentive. The food is always delicious and I love how they have a variety of dishes to try. The drinks are good but I did find them to be a bit inconsistent as far as portions ( on my last visit I ordered the same drink twice. The first time the drink was half the size of the second but obviously the same price). Overall this restaurant is great and I will always recommend it. read more

6'18'2023 Although this review wasn't posted asap, the memories are current. I chose this place for Father's Day 2023 while on vacation. I made a reservation for a party of 6. My party and I arrived on time. We were kindly greeted as there was a short wait. We were impressed w the DJ and attractive waiting area. This place has great décor!! Soon after we arrived, we were seated. We were seated at a spacious table and greeted by Z who made amazing recommendations. Collectively, we ordered the following. Korean Fried Chicken Wings Brussels Sprouts Fried Chicken & Waffle Smoked Lamb Chops Pineapple Upside-Down Cornbread Crawfish Cajun Dip Meatball Sliders Korean Beef Short Ribs Frozen Espresso Martini Each and everything came out well plated, well seasoned, and appropriately hot. We devoured our food. I highly recommend this establishment for any occasion. Great establishment, service and food!! Win! Win! Win! read more

Meril - 6'18'2023 Father's Day Meal - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We found Meril and made reservations the day before. We did not see a kids menu online but took the chance that the server would have options. They have cheese and pepperoni flatbread options, pasta with red sauce, buttered noodles and a burger. They were out of burgers on this night. My daughter chose the buttered noodles and they were great even for an adult! My husband and I shared: Meatballs Barbecue shrimp Tuna bundles Pocket bread *they were out of brussel sprouts on this night Banana cream pie for dessert Everything was amazing. The tuna bundles were my favorite. The pocket bread is perfect for sopping up the leftover house meatballs sauce. Don't skip the banana cream pie - I recommend sharing. No one needs a whole piece by themselves. Service was impeccable. I think it's a great option for families whose kids can handle this vibe. read more

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First off my 4 star rating has nothing to do with the staff - they were excellent. After making reservations I heard happy hour is only served at the bar, so when we arrived I asked about it, they confirmed it and found us seats at the bar instead of the dining room. At the bar we were quickly greeted. Happy Hour Martinis were 10 which isn't bad these days. The pepperoni flat bread had delicious flavor but the crust was a little bit underdone although we did eat all of it. The candied short ribs were sweet and tender. The Korean fried chicken wings were crispy and also a bit sweet but in a good way. The atmosphere Wes pretty loud but lively. There was a pretty good mix between super casual and business casual, so a comfortable place to be no matter how you dress. I'd go back, it was really good, but not spectacular so to speak. read more

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I've never had less than a great experience at Meril's. Great food, great service and always the best vibes. I love going here for Sunday brunch. Good spot to bring a group since the menu has many shareable options. Also a nice place to go by yourself and chill at the bar. Everything is pretty tasty but there are some staples that I always get. I recommend the fried turkey necks, house meatballs, crispy Brussels sprouts, crispy gulf shrimp tacos and the margherita flatbread. That seems like a lot but keep in mind, it's all shareable. Merils has a full bar so you can order whatever you want but they make a great lemon drop and an Indigo French 75 (they use empress gin instead of just plain gin). I've seen so many birthday celebrations here, you get a free cotton candy complete with birthday sparklers. It's tasty and makes for a great social media picture. Located in the CBD so be prepared to pay for parking. read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I saw a recipe somewhere that this place was touristy and overrated, but I am so glad we went here for dinner! I loved everything I ate. The pork ribs were so good, excellent flavor. We also had the buttermilk fried chicken and that was perfection. The third thing we tried was some sort of dumpling- also amazing. We were celebrating a birthday so at the end they brought out a super fun giant cotton candy that we all tried. No complaints on service or the atmosphere. The restaurant was spacious. We did arrive during happy hour and the specials were only offered at the bar so that was disappointing knowing we could get drinks and appetizers for half off just a few feet away. We would 100% go back. read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Went back and it's always consistent, great service and delicious food. Musts - banana cream pie - boudin balls are a new editor and yummy - tuna wraps with the yuzu ponzu sauce - meatballs read more

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TLDR: A fun, casual Emeril spot with fantastic shareable plates, standout Creole-inspired dishes, great service, and thoughtful touches that made our celebration feel special. Meril is Emeril Lagasse's more casual and playful take on modern Creole cuisine, and it absolutely delivers. While his fine dining flagship is just a few blocks away, this restaurant brings a relaxed vibe without sacrificing creativity or flavor. My party of seven visited on a Saturday night with a reservation, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. They walked us through the menu, made great suggestions, and really leaned into the family style experience that Meril is designed for. The menu is appetizer heavy, which we loved because it encouraged sharing and sampling. We ordered nearly every starter on the menu and were not disappointed. Highlights included the Barbequed Shrimp, Vietnamese Caramel Wings, Candied Pork Ribs, and the House-Made Meatballs. Every dish had its own personality, and everything came out hot, well-seasoned, and beautifully executed. Most of our table also shared entrées, and the quality carried through. My wife and I split the Blue Crab Linguine with Calabrian chili butter, which was excellent and full of flavor without being overly heavy. We were celebrating our recent wedding in New Orleans, and the staff surprised us at the end of the meal with a fluff of cotton candy topped with a birthday sparkler. It was a fun, unexpected touch that really capped off the evening. Overall, Meril is a fantastic casual spot offering inventive takes on New Orleans classics from the renowned local chef himself. It's approachable, lively, and a great addition to any NOLA dining itinerary. read more

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Went here for brunch for the first time and was honestly a bit disappointed. We got a flatbread and a chicken and waffle cone. For it being an Emeril's restaurant we expected it to be on the pricier side,which it was. But we also expected it to be super good food. Which in our experience it was not. The service was fine, the staff was friendly. And the ambiance was not bad. But, we did leave disappointed after what we ate. read more

Meril - Chicken and cornbread waffle cone - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

What a fun, relaxed but classy place with great diverse food. I can be slow on the uptake and I'm mad at myself for taking way too long to enjoy Meril. First came an early evening at the bar--don't miss happy hour. Great drink specials and a perfectly blended Old Fashioned, or two, helps you devour the French fries starter. Wow what a generous portion. Next came a weekend dinner. You may want seating along Giroud Street to see and be seen. But the best seat in the house are the tables before the open kitchen. What entertainment, in a good way. The choice of snacks and small plates is dazzling. The dumplings with a robust chili sauce is best but people also rave about the wings. Mine were really quality chicken but not as crisp nor spicy as I like. But with the wings the service kicks up a notch. Staff is very attentive and efficient but when they brought out the warm towelettes to help your fingers with the wings. Ah a small touch that goes far. The trout almondine special was top notch as was the crawfish pasta--a real peppery sauce. Roasted carrots made a colorful and tasty side. Then the grand mariner tiramisu. Only one of the best in the South. We were so impressed. And as a heads up the place is comfortable with a big menu that includes flatbreads and cheeseburgers. Beer and wine is quality and fairly priced. You are good for the big entrees or just play it loose. Perfect. read more

Great vibe and delicious food!! Everything we had was really good. We started with a number of the appetizers with the shrimp dumplings being my favorite. I had halibut for main course which was cooked perfect. The bread pudding for dessert is a must try, awesome! Oh and we actually saw Emeril walk through the restaurant back into the kitchen. They guy is still doing it. read more

Meril - Appetizers - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Our server was fantastic! It got so busy and we had a large group. Everything we ordered was delicious. My entree was the fish of the day which was grouper. It was delicate and fresh. My only complaint would be there was not enough because I could have eaten the entire fish. I cannot remember the sauce but it reminded me of a Blanc paired well with a dry white. Shrimp tacos, deviled eggs, wings, and Mexican corn were are amazing as well. Wish there were an even number of deviled eggs given they were slightly on the smaller side, though great touch with the roe topping. Desert was mouth watering, I ordered the Rocky road bread pudding! read more

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Service was great, immediately seated and greeted with a smile and "baby" (which I love) the ambience was kind of fancy but still came in casual and no one batted an eye. We ordered a little bit of everything but what really stood out were the turkey necks and corn bread!!! Please don't skip out on these. I know turkey necks can be a little intimidating but really the flavor and tenderness was so memorable I will definitely be back. read more

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The food is so yummy and unique but also delicious. The ambience is casual while the music is great mix of pop and R&B. Great happy hour as well! The fried turkey necks...finger licking great! Best thing on the menu and the menu is good. Service is good. read more

Meril - Fried turkey necks. Finger licking good! - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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The service was amazing. Our server was so attentive and gave some good recommendations. We had the pork ribs, meatballs, and wings. All of them were really tasty. My favorite was probably the ribs though. They were sweet and tangy and the meat was tender. Our server recommended the holiday cocktail. It wasn't something I would normally order so he offered to give me a sample. After having the sample I ordered the drink. It was delicious. read more

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I've been a patron of Meril's for years for various occasions, but I particularly love sitting at the bar after a football game. This particular day, I caught their daily happy hour. I had a delicious flatbread (which didn't hold back on toppings) and the deviled eggs (accompanied with Zapp's chips which truly complement them). The service is always friendly and professional. And, the restaurant is beautifully designed and quite spacious: weather you're in the bar area or overlooking the kitchen, you can't go wrong. read more

Meril - Flatbread - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Had a great time here with some friends of the PCA cigar world for dinner the last night before we left. Food was great, as we ordered a ton of appetizers to share with the group of 10. We enjoyed some great drinks. Would definitely comeback and get some pictures and do a more detailed review. Highly recommend Meril to eat at. read more

Ambiance is great, love the open concept kitchen. The deviled eggs were good, as was the fish, but all of the shrimp was overcooked and chewy and dry. read more

Meril - Deviled Eggs, a pasta special, and a redfish special - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Let me preface by saying I don't eat red meat or shellfish so while my options may be a bit limited on the menu I still enjoy the food here. My go to is the general Tso's Broccoli, omg so good and it packs quite a kick. Their flatbreads are standard. The grilled salmon is a great pick for an entree, the spinach and watercress puree pairs excellently with the fish. I also really wanted to like the deviled eggs since they're known for them but they just need a dash of Tony's lol. And for dessert I would recommend the rocky road bread pudding read more

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Merils was an easy 10/10! The service was amazing, water was refilled constantly. It was nice and talkative in there. The food was 10/10 as well. We got 8 orders (for 5 people)of a mixture of their small plates, flatbreads, and gumbo. Everything was full of flavor and incredible. We also tried the banana cream pie - do not miss!!! I didn't take a picture, but it was massive and easily fed four of us. This was our first experience trying gumbo in New Orleans and it was delicious. I will add pictures to come. read more

Meril - Gumbo, pepperoni pizza, deviled eggs, barbecue shrimp, shrimp taco, cauliflower - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

So much on the menu to try and we tried so much but I would've ordered more if I could've because it was all so good!! I loved the tasting menu/family style options. Everything was delicious. Our server was the sweetest and very attentive. The place was packed so make sure to have a reservation. They have a large bar that was very crowded on a Saturday night! Perfect for a birthday celebration, especially with their cotton candy. The tuna was so fresh. The barbecue shrimp were insane and I'm a harsh critic as a Louisiana native. The wings were perfectly crispy. So good. Get everything!! read more

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We dined at Meril before a wedding reception at Lucy's and had a great time trying the pineapple upside-down cornbread, street corn, vegetable flatbread, and fettuccine with truffle butter. We topped it off with the banana cream pie, which was excellent. Would definitely go back just to have more of the banana cream pie, as well as the street corn. Service was attentive and timely and the atmosphere was lively but not too loud. Easily a place you can go with a group and still hear everyone else at the table while enjoying a delicious meal. read more

Thought this restaurant was just okay. We had the sweetest server who tried to make the best of it, but the food took quite a long time to come out, especially the apps. The ribs, cornbread, and Mexican corn were yummy, and the crispy chicken salad was amazing. But the paccheri, broccoli app, and crab curry noodles were just okay. I was especially disappointed with the crab noodles. The portion sizes on the pasta dishes were alarmingly small. Overall it's a nice place with lots of space and a fun crowd, but not sure I'd return. read more

Meril - Bananas Foster Doberge Cake - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We were in New Orleans for one night and chose Meril based on what I remember were mostly positive Yelp reviews. The space itself is chic, well lit, and has a great energy. The staff, from the manager to our waitress, were incredibly welcoming and attentive. I'm a complicated diner (no meat, no dairy, allergic to seafood, no lettuce, no pasta), and our waitress handled it with professionalism and kindness. She checked with the chef, who offered two options, and I went with the Asian stir fry. My wife ordered the shrimp linguine along with Brussel sprouts. All of the dishes were adequately presented, but the flavors didn't quite land for us. My stir fry was mostly sauce and rice and lacked depth. My wife found her Brussel sprouts were mild outside of the onion and bacon. She found her linguine oily and needed Parmesan cheese to add some flavor. When the staff noticed I didn't eat my entrée, they removed it from the bill without hesitation. That gesture stood out as many places would still charge even if the dish didn't work out. Their effort to accommodate my restrictions and make things right was truly appreciated. Overall, the service and atmosphere were excellent, even if the food missed the mark for us. I'd still say the hospitality alone makes Meril worth a try, especially if your tastes differ from my very specific dietary needs. --- If you want, I can also create a shorter "quick take" version or help you choose the best star rating to match the tone you want. read more

This was a causal spot that served modern American dishes with some southern inspiration along the way. There was an open kitchen that was cool to see too. The service was appreciated while the food came out in a timely manner. We ordered six different snacks and small plates as it was described on the menu. I will explain each one below. Pineapple Upside-Down Cornbread ($9) - This came with a bacon marmalade. The bread was not overly sweet but did pair nicely with the bacon marmalade. The marmalade had a nice balance of sweet and salty. Deviled Eggs ($12) - There were three halves topped with smoked trout roe. There was also a coating of Zapp's chips present. This was okay at best. The yolk filing was plain and disappointing. The crispy chip was a nice touch though. Crispy Boudin Balls ($14) - There were three balls with pepper jack cheese, creole mustard and pepper jelly. These were okay. They were fried perfectly, but they were just alright. The creole mustard was the key as it provided a slight spicy factor to them. Gulf Shrimp & Pork Dumplings ($14) - There were three to an order I believe with napa cabbage, bonito flakes, and chili-sauce. This grew on me as I kept eating them. The actual dumpling was decent, but the cabbage along with the chili sauce really was tasty. The dumpling was too thin without much filing I thought, or it was overpowered by the cabbage and chili-sauce. The chili sauce was a tad spicy but not overbearing where it was uneatable. Vietnamese Caramel Wings ($16) - There were five wings to an order, and they were topped with jalapeno and cilantro. These were very interesting and unique. They could have been fried more, but the flavor was there. There was a hint of sweet and the jalapeno provided a bit of spice to these, but they were just very fascinating due to the actual flavoring on the wings. I was very curious what other flavors and seasonings were present but could not pinpoint them. Crawfish Beignets ($18) - This was a special on the night I attended. They came with a seafood boil aioli and green onions. There were three to an order. Again, these were fried perfectly, but the filing was lackluster. The aioli was nice, but the filing was decent. For dessert, the banana cream pie ($14) was ordered. It came with a caramel sauce and chocolate shavings. This was nicely done. There were a ton of banana slices present, and the overall slice was not overly sweet even with the amount of cream present. I could not believe how light it was though too. Will I go back? I suppose so. read more

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Made a reservation for a date night. What a mistake! We ordered two apps and two entrees. Tuna bundles were delicious (though incredibly small)! My redfish entree was the highlight of our meal. However, the fried gulf shrimp tacos and the shrimp fettuccini with andouille were abysmal. Do not let these cooks near shrimp until they know how to flavor it. The batter on the fried gulf shrimp was powdery and bland. The shrimp and andouille fettuccini actually had ONE 1/2 centimeter slice of andouille which accompanied such a lackluster bunch of shrimp in sauce that tasted like lunchable pizza sauce. Not impressed! Our server was very kind and attentive! read more

Met work group here for dinner. 3 people ordered the fried chicken and had mixed reviews. 2 did not like at all ( one said chicken tasted like fish) and other said too dry and didn't eat it. The 3rd liked! I got the burger and enjoyed it! Overall decent food. read more

This was a nice dinner stop for us. I wasn't overly hungry so I got the special flatbread of the day, which was meatball. I really appreciated the waitress recommendation of the flatbread. It was nicely prepared with a crispy crust and melty cheese. The meatballs had nice flavor. The restaurant was not overly loud, wait staff were very efficient and friendly. I enjoyed this experience and would definitely recommend! read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Delicious meal at this Michelon Star restaurant. Staff was very personable and attentive. Food was AMAZING. Chef is not afraid of seasoning. Spicy rigatoni, crayfish linguine and banana cream pie were fabulous. Definitely a new favorite restaurant when we visit New Orleans. read more

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Let's start by saying this rating is based on the food. The service was beyond 5 's . The hostess were friendly and we were greeted by the owners who held the door for us. Our server was Rasheed and he was very knowledgeable and honest about the menu. We had a relatively large party but attention to detail was still given. read more

Perfect place for a hungry crowd that wants to share their food. It's busy and loud but service is very friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious, everything was very tasty, nothing disappointed! read more

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Such great service and ambiance. We had a quiet brunch on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was decorated with large paintings of Louisiana food like couchon, blue crabs, red fish etc. the small plates were great. The chicken and sausage gumbo is what lost us a star. How are you a Emerils restaurant and the roux was slightly burned and the andouille sausage was rubbery and overcooked. But literally everything else was 5 out of 5. Go with a group and try a little bit of everything. You won't be disappointed. read more

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First time trying an Emeril restaurant, and it did not disappoint! We went for happy hour and had delicious drinks & apps. The grilled zucchini with stracciatella, lemon balsamic, and pistachio was a pleasant surprise! read more

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We expected great food from Emeril's more casual restaurant. We were disappointed. On the plus side, they were open on Sunday night. And the staff is very welcoming and generally upbeat. And the drinks were good. But the basic measure of a restaurant in the food. And Meril fell very short. We shared three dishes: fried turkey necks, Gen Tso broccoli, and cauliflower pad Thai. The turkey necks were tasty enough but are basically a novelty item. The broccoli was cloying and the cauliflower was mushy. We didn't finish the two veggie dishes. Meril seems great for extended families. There were loads of grandparents with children and grandchildren. Especially for birthdays. The star attraction is a sparkler with a huge cone of cotton candy. read more

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