Chef's Corner: Merchant

Merchant proprietors Patrick Sweeney and Josh Berkson knew they were joining great culinary company when they chose their location just off the Capitol Square. But the duo set themselves apart with one key addition to the standard restaurant formula: An in-house store selling the ingredients that comprise the dishes on their menu.

“So if [customers] like a certain dish or drink we make, they can buy everything [in our store] and recreate it,” Sweeney explains. “We’d like to educate people how to eat healthier.”

This level of openness extends to the kitchen, as an open floor plan allows you to watch the chefs in action, preparing dishes such as the halibut with English peas and Caponata shown here. And if you fall in love with a meal, a chef will not only lead you to the ingredients in the store, they’ll tell you how to cook it at home, ensuring you walk out the door not only satiated but a savvier foodie as well.

Merchant is located at 121 S. Pinckney St., Madison; (608) 259-9799 or merchantmadison.com

Photo by Amber Arnold