Merci, a new neighborhood bistro from chef Michael Zentner and his wife Courtney, is now open at 28 Pitt St. in downtown Charleston.
The European-inspired restaurant features a small but mighty menu in a cozy, 1820s Federal-style building with a dining room that seats just under 30 diners.
“For us, it’s about the whole experience, from the moment you walk in the door, to how the menu is designed, to how the table is set,” Michael said. “Charleston is filled to the brim with the most incredible chefs and restaurants, so it was important to us that we carve out our own particular niche.”
The Zentners are used to creating special experiences. The couple also founded and run The Drifter, a Charleston-based culinary and event design company that specializes in carefully curated events.
While Michael focuses on crafting a seasonally inspired menu featuring as many local purveyors as possible, Courtney, an event designer and stylist, has created charming ambiance with the help of local designer Helen Rice.
They sourced vintage tableware, antique furniture, vintage art and handmade lighting to create Merci’s welcoming, warm interior.
“I’m excited to see everything come to life in the new space,” Courtney said. “The design, the energy and the community we’re building all feel like they’ve been in the works for so long and it’s so rewarding to see the room filled with smiling faces. … A bustling dining room that’s glowing with soft light might just be my favorite view.”
From pop-up to poppin’
While the Zentners waited for their brick-and-mortar restaurant to come to life, they hosted a series of Merci pop-ups around town to test recipes, introduce the concept to diners and get a feel for what folks were looking for.
“The pop-ups were a great way for us to experiment with the menu, to see what people responded to and to build a connection with locals,” Courtney said. “We learned a lot about how to adapt our offerings based on feedback and how important it is to create a memorable experience — not just a meal but something people want to share with others.”
Those menu experiments led to Merci’s current, carefully honed list of offerings, which features dishes like focaccia stracciatella with Benton’s ham and pistachio; spring pea salad with boucheron and green goddess dressing; and striped bass with white bean fondue, fennel and olives.
“The menu is diverse and reflective of European influences, but always with a nod to Southern ingredients,” Michael said.
The couple also opened a neighborhood market, Petit Merci, while Merci was under construction. The sister property, located at 17 Montagu St., offers freshly prepared foods such as breads and take-and-bake meals, as well as a selection of fresh produce and homewares.
The space has been decked out for recent holidays, with Instagrammable Christmas and Valentine’s decor that is eagerly shared by fans on social media. Petit Merci, like Merci’s pop-ups and The Drifter’s dinner parties, has that aesthetically pleasing quality that the Zentners cultivate.
Courtney said social media has been a boon to Merci’s growth and development.
“Our first business, The Drifter, was conceived on Instagram so we understood the power and importance of sharing a behind the scenes look at our next endeavor,” Courtney said. “It’s been a great way to crowd source ideas, see what type of menu items resonate with people and to share an inside look into our process.”
Like any (realistic) restaurant owner, Michael said that the pressures of the industry make running a restaurant a rewarding, but difficult task. Opening a new space in Charleston’s jam-packed culinary scene is always a challenge, but he said the supportive food and beverage community makes things a little bit easier.
“Charleston’s culinary scene is incredibly dynamic, and it’s exciting to see how it’s grown. There’s a strong sense of creativity and collaboration, with many chefs pushing boundaries while still honoring the tradition that makes this city so unique,” he said. “I think our local scene will continue to grow and thrive because everyone lifts each other up.”
Merci is open for dinner 5 p.m. to 10 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations are available on Resy and walk-ins are welcome for the bar. For more information, visit mercichs.com.
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