Yes :-) Stefan's review (Jan 16th 2007)

Meritage took over the former Benjamin’s restaurant on Howard downtown. Meritage has succeeded in making the small space feel much more upscale by updating the interior with curtains and modern details.

While Meritage’s lunch menu is good, it isn’t great. Sandwiches and burgers comprise most of the menu. A few favorite entrees from Meritage’s sister restaurant, Vin Rouge, are also available. I ordered the pumpkin bisque which was tasty but was quite thick and lacked seafood. I wouldn’t have been able to eat much of the pureed soup. My turkey sandwich was also nice even though it seemed as if it had been salted. I would have liked more avocado on my sandwich as well.

Overall I felt the service was a little over eager but this could have been because it was near closing time.

Meritage also serves breakfast and the restaurant is available for private diner parties. Meritage does succeed in being very reasonably priced which is always nice, but the menu is not overly exciting.

Yes :-) Tashi's review (Jan 8th 2007)

We tried lunch at Meritage this weekend. It’s early days yet (they’re still waiting for their license for wine and beer) but we thought it was promising and would go back.

We ordered a chicken pot pie and a tempura rice bowl and while neither was exactly what we were expecting (the pot pie was more like a creamy stew with two biscuits on top – not like mom made), the food was good and we’d order them again.

The decor is a step up from the old Benjamin’s but not overly “done” and service was quick, friendly, and attentive. They’ve got burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with about eight warm entrees.

Yes :-) TownGirl's review (Jan 10th 2007)

My husband and I went to Meritage for breakfast during their first week of business. The menu at the time was almost exactly the same as the Vin Rouge breakfast menu. Granted, they had opened their doors in record time and likely had no chance to create a new menu. While there were some good items on the menu, it had a touch of ho-hum. I’d love to see some items that are specific to Meritage. The lack of variety in the menu won’t keep me from coming back. I’ll try it again.

Yes :-) Downtowner's review (Apr 1st 2007)

I have eaten at the Meritage several times as I work downtown and always have consistently great service and terrific food. The tempura rice bowls are the best!

Yes :-) Eric's review (Apr 30th 2007)

I got a quick lunch at Meritage and had the chicken sandwich with fresh tomatoes and basil and was just awesome. The house salad that I choose to go with it was a perfect portion and the house dressing was great. Next time I would order the dressing on the side, just a tad too much on there for my taste. The waitstaff was great with two refills of my soda and she suggested the desserts which looked great, but I was too full to go on. I will definitely be back for another round soon.

No :-( Priscilla's review (May 14th 2007)

I don’t mean to be an odd duck, but unfortunately I would have to disagree with everyone else on this one. Though Meritage is a huge step up from Benjamin’s, they lack the tastefulness I would expect from a quaint downtown bistro.

My friend and I both tried sandwiches (the salmon and the jerk chicken sandwiches) and the outside of the bread was so buttered that I couldn’t even taste the inside of the sandwich… not to mention my fingers were extremely greasy afterward.

I was impressed with the modern, but not too trendy decor, and also with the pumpkin bisque, but the salad was wilted and drenched in dressing and the sandwiches were far under par.

Between the less-than-pleasing food and the rubber band in my sandwich, Meritage Bistro left a bad taste in my mouth. Sadly, I won’t be returning.