Chef Michael Zentner and his wife, Courtney, are opening their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Merci, later this summer. The European-inspired neighborhood bistro is located at 28 Pitt St. in Harleston Village. The Zentners currently own and operate The Drifter, a culinary and event design company that specializes in dinner parties for private clients.
Before the restaurant opening, chef Zentner and his team will be popping up around town to give folks a taste of Merci. The pop-ups start on June 8 at babas on Cannon, where guests can check out a selection of European-inspired small plates from Merci, paired with cocktails and wine chosen by the babas team.
Zentner said the pop-ups will serve as a proving ground of sorts for the Merci menu, an opportunity for him to do some recipe testing and for the team to get together in a kitchen. “We’re trying to be a really fun thing for people to come hang out and try some of the food,” he said.
Sip and share
Guests can look forward to smaller, shareable dishes at the pop-ups. Rather than commit to a large entree, diners are invited to try all the tastes of Merci. Zentner’s dishes focus on seasonal ingredients and French and Italian techniques.
At babas on June 8, Zentner will be serving Stracciatella cheese with focaccia; a peach dish with local peaches, Boxcarr Cottonbell cheese and pistachio crumble; a crudo of snapper with blackberries, cucumber, ginger jelly, puffed rice and creme fraiche and more.
“It’s cool to work with people who are really good at wine and drinks, too, so we can just focus on food,” Zentner said of the beverages being served at the upcoming pop-ups. After the babas pop-up, Merci will be popping up at Graft Wine Shop and The Tippling House. Follow Merci on Instagram at @mercichs for all the details on those events.
With seasonality in mind, Merci’s menu will change frequently, “based on what we get at the farmers market,” according to Zentner. Zentner said that Merci’s staple menu items will include housemade bread (The Drifter started as a bread-making company during the pandemic), “beautiful desserts” and entrees like beef wellington and roast duck.
The Pitt Street space itself is intimate and carefully curated by Courtney Zentner and designer Helen Rice, who sourced furnishings, fixtures and vintage cookware to create an inviting, warm atmosphere.
Once open, the restaurant will offer dinner service Wednesday through Saturday as well as Friday lunch. Learn more about Merci online at merchichs.com.
Merci recently announced a pop-up event to be held every summer Saturday starting June 15, Picnic at Merci, until the space opens. Head to 28 Pitt Street starting at 9 a.m. every Saturday until Merci sells out. The pop-up will be slinging a “ridiculous” menu of pastries, sweets, breads and morning beverages, like housemade golden milk cold brews.
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