Eddie Merlot’s Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Platters For The Table
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • USDA Prime Beef
  • Reserve Cuts
  • Chef's Creations
  • Eddie's Prime Time For Two
  • Sauce It
  • Top It
  • Surf It
  • Seafood
  • Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Eddie Merlot’s

  • Appetizers
  • Platters For The Table
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • USDA Prime Beef
  • Reserve Cuts
  • Chef's Creations
  • Eddie's Prime Time For Two
  • Sauce It
  • Top It
  • Surf It
  • Seafood
  • Sides
  • Nicole L.

    Ok. So this restaurant is marketed towards the same people who go to Mortons, Capital Grill, St Elmo's or Ruth Chris. So you'll be spending a pretty penny to eat here, let's break down what you'll get for your money. Food- my wife ordered the filet mignon, I ordered the pound of snow crab legs. This place gets props for having such a wide array of seafood and red meat, but I would rather go to a place that specializes and does whatever they do really really well when I'm spending this sort of money than go to a place that diversifies but doesn't quite hit the mark. The filet was decent, but not melt in your mouth pudding like you can get at St Elmo's. Some of the crab was very good, and some of it had a very fishy unpleasant taste. The wedge salad was excellent, as were the steamed veggies. Alcohol- Good wine selection, maybe better than elsewhere, and a good variation from $40 bottles to $200 bottles, so you'll be sure to find something within your price range. Ambiance- A little hoity toity if you ask me. I prefer the understated elegance of Mortons or St Elmo's, but if you're looking for fancy schmancy, this is the place for you. Service- Also pretty hoity toity. I think the best service I've ever had at one of these places was at Capital Grill. I hate feeling judged for getting too many crumbs on their white table cloth, and please stop rearranging my napkin for me every chance you get! All in all, good food, great wine menu, decent ambiance, less than satisfactory service. Hopefully this helps you decide if this is the restaurant for you!

    (4)
  • Glenda C.

    This is one of our favorite restaurants in the area and definitely our go-to place for a special occasion or when we want to treat ourselves after a long, difficult week at work. We always get great service and food, and I like that, when we arrive, they always ask if we're there celebrating something.If the answer is yes, they always wish us well and offer a free dessert. We are made feel special when there for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. Some of our favorites are steak, mac & cheese, lobster bisque, and French onion soup. And the wine list!

    (5)
  • Matthew H.

    Compared to other high-end steakhouses, Eddie Merlot's falls short. At least to the ones I've been to. If I'm going to pay that much for a meal, it better be amazing. EM's is just okay. Now I'll disclose that I did not pay for this meal. I was here for a presentation, which also means a limited menu. I'll start with the appetizers, a caprese salad type of kabob (I didn't even see this on their regular menu) and a flat bread with some zucchini, cheese, and tomatoes on it. Well, you can't really mess up caprese, but the flat bread was... odd. Not crisp, but not soft either. I don't know how to describe it. Flimsy. It just didn't seem right. Next was the wedge salad. I'd never pay $8.50 for a wedge of lettuce topped with cheese, dressing, and bacon bits. That's really all it is. Nothing special here. The bread, however, was outstanding! Probably the best part of the whole meal. Crispy on the outside with some great seasoning, but oh so soft on the inside. I could have eaten that whole loaf. But I didn't. I shared. For the main course it was the filet, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The steamed broccoli is just that. There's nothing else done to it. I can steam broccoli at home, it'll turn out exactly the same. The mashed potatoes were sub-par. They were pretty dry. Definitely nothing to write home about. Not even in the same league as Ruth's mashed potatoes. The steak was pretty good, though over-cooked for how I ordered it, and a little too char-grilled in some areas. It did have a nice flavor to it, but again just wasn't on the level of other high-end steakhouses I've been to. Plus I feel that a high-end steakhouse should cook their steaks perfectly, every time. If I can do it, surely a professional chef can! Last but not least, the cheesecake, which I took to go. They give you half of a strawberry, one raspberry, and one blueberry with it. Okay. I'm still confused about that one. But anyway, the cheesecake was pretty good. If you're going to spend this kind of money on a meal, go down the street to Ruth's Chris. EM's would be fine if it were a lower price point, but at these prices, you can do much better elsewhere.

    (3)
  • Dave Y.

    Nice dinner tonight at Eddie Merlot's. Our server Alicia made the evening but the food was great too. The Sea Bass is exceptional!

    (5)
  • Robert R.

    I reached out to Eddie Merlot's to inquire having a business lunch/ meeting at their restaurant. Laura their Sales Manager got back to me quickly. She was extremely knowledgable and professional to work with. She offered us an amazing package and we are looking forward to our upcoming lunch meeting there. I highly suggest you book your work events/ special occasions here. Laura will take great care of you and make sure your event is amazing!

    (5)
  • Jen M.

    This was my 2nd time dining at an Eddie Merlot's restaurant. My other experience was in Columbus. I am NOT a fan of chain restaurants and I am excruciatingly hard on them because I think independent businesses go above and beyond what they do. Anyway, this place is GREAT. No two ways about it. Absolutely killer gorgonzola-crusted filet. Perfectly cooked. Spinach salad with maple vinaigrette was served the perfect temperature and the flavors worked. Ghost Pines Zin has always been a fave wine of mine so we chose that. Service was impeccable and attentive. How does this place compare to Morton's, Hyde Park, or Ruth's Chris? Not quite as stuffy of an atmosphere. How does it compare to St. Elmo's? Don't even ask. Nothing compares to a steak dinner and evening at St. Elmo's, fool.

    (4)
  • Tom B.

    This is difficult to write, because I've always been a huge fan of Eddie's, but last night was sub-par. Granted, it was Christmas Eve and things were busy, but This restaurant broke one of my Cardinal rules: When I make an 8:00 reservation, that means you have my table ready when I get there at 8. It DOESN'T mean that at 8:00, you put my name on the "wait" list. Major screw-up, people. I expect that at a cheap casual dining restaurant, but not at a fine dining restaurant where I'm likely to drop $400 on a family meal. We were eventually seated at 8:30, but what's worse is that we didn't get seated until I complained at 8:25. I have no doubt we would have stood there until 10pm if I hadn't said something, even though your hostesses glanced at us several times. You basically forgot about us in plain sight. The food quality was outstanding, as usual. The best steak anywhere, in my opinion. But, you're getting two stars due to incompetence. Sorry, but 8:00 means 8:00. There were plenty of tables. Your hostesses were just too busy gabbing and texting their boyfriends.

    (2)
  • Sean H.

    The cedar plank salmon I had her was outstanding. Everyone in my party received an excellent meal. The staff was top notch. Very very informed. I look forward to eating here again, as it has been awhile since Ive been there.

    (4)
  • Danielle W.

    Exceptional service, food, and wine. I felt like the service could have been a bit better. It seems the regulars around us were receiving more attention than us but overall great experience.

    (4)
  • Linda L.

    Usually love the food, it was very mediocre ... The beef pot stickers were chewy and hard to cut. The tuna wontons were not fresh. The chopped salad was tasteless. We ordered lobster mac and cheese it was good, had a lot left over and had some shrimp left as well. The waiter did not give us the lobster mac to go ? Why not ? Very disappointing ! Husbands filet was so so not as good as past visits. The staff and Chiefs need to step up their game. Other steak houses high end restaurants are far superior.

    (1)
  • Sharee M.

    It is not my first time coming to Eddie Merlot...the Fort Wayne location was great visit a few years back. Last night's visit was NOT the case. I was excited that my best friend had invited me to dinner a few days prior at EM for my birthday dinner. She told me to meet her at EM at 6:30pm. I was a little fuzzy about the details as my phone had died in the middle of listening to her voicemail a few hours prior and would it sounded like she had made a reservation for 6:30pm, I was not sure. I arrived early at 6:00pm and could not reach her. Since I was not sure if she had made a reservation, I assumed the worst and asked the hostess for a table for two. The hostess laughed at my inquiry, then said she did not have a table until 8pm but could put us at the bar. I was thinking...ok sorry for not having a reservation, not sure why being rude is ok... I replied that I needed to wait until my party arrived. I felt uncomfortable with the hostess, so I went back to wait for my friend in my car. I really did not want to go back in but my friend wanted steak. My friend had not shown up at 6:30pm, which is highly unlike her. So I after waiting about 6:45pm, I went back in to see if she had made a reservation and was already in. I forgot I had not checked to see if she was listed. Went back in and asked the same hostess who replied, "Nope, nice try!" "Nice try???", I replied. "I'm not TRYING anything but locating my party with a phone!" So mad, I left, knowing that I did not want to eat at this location EVER. My friend would eat steak somewhere else, no matter what she would have said to me. The EM valet was nice. I was not going back in, so I asked after waiting so more, I asked the valet men if this was the only Indy location, which they replied it was. He offered to have me wait in the warm for my party and have a drink at the bar. Thanks, but your host killed my vibe. My friend arrived at 7ish. She stated she had called earlier and was told rudely by the hostess there were not reservations being taken. I told her I would not like to eat there, point blank! My friend still has to go to back to EM for dinning in the near future as she had obtained gift cards just to treat me. But I do not eat where the hostess can not perform their job without being rude and being disrespectful to customers. The host is the front line and their greeting sets the tone for the ENTIRE place. Thus, the hostess showcase how the cook and serve staff will be like. As a result, I felt like "no thanks", I do not want to find out how the rest of the staff will treat me! I take responsibility for no reservation being made, even though I was the guest in my situation. My friend should have booked a table prior to our arrival. But a simple " I'm sorry, we do not have any openings until 8pm" and "I'm sorry, that name is not listed tonight" from the hostess in a professional, non-condemned tone would have been nice. I know I'm a little-old-nobody, but I AM someone who deserves to be treated with kindness. I was a potential customer, but I will not be back to this location. We took our money (spend the same amount we planned to at EM, about $100-120) and ate somewhere else. EM, my suggestion is to please assist your Hostess in improving their people skills to become more customer service mindful. Seems like the Valet got it down.

    (1)
  • Karin K.

    So disappointed. I have been here many times with great service. Tonights service was very slow. They brought a bottle of wine to my table for tasting and poured it into my existing glass of wine. Then said it was the same type of wine, why would I need a new glass. Really? Then 2 of us got our dinners, followed by the third and 15 minutes later by the fourth dinner. We talked to the manager who said he was sorry. Oh we got free desserts we would not have ordered. Not what I expected at all for a platinum member.

    (1)
  • Felicia D.

    The decor... Blah. Reminds me of what I'd think MCL looks like. I've never been, but I'd imagine it looks like this. The bar side is better. I prefer sitting over there, but it can be pretty loud since they have live music. The food is good. I think I've finally found my favorite things. There's a spinach salad with goat geese and a warm bacon dressing that's amazing. The rock shrimp appetizer, bourbon-glazed ribeye, and truffle fries - delicious. The lobster tail has my heart. It comes with a butter tower if that's your thing. I say go for the tower. A friend and I usually share a bottle of Tinto Negro Malbec. I always have the creme brûlée (it's so perfect) for dessert.

    (4)
  • Mi Sook K.

    First experience dining in the lounge section, and it was a great one. My friend made a reservation for a table here. Granted, I was late but I assume the table was ready on time. The musician added to the laid back vibe, as well as the lounge chairs with a pillow cushion for your lower back (or at least that's what I used it for). The waiter brought us the usual dinner menu, but my friend and I ended up ordering off the lounge menu. It wasn't provided to us with the regular dining menu, so I grabbed one off the bar, since it was just easier to just get it myself than to wait for the server to return. Hunger = impatience. I ordered the cheeseburger and chopped salad off the bar menu along with a glass of wine. Totally forgot about asking for dressing on the side, but I was delighted that it was well dressed with just the right amount. Also, best burger I've had in a long time. Almost forgot to mention- my friend has a corporate discount so her meal and a friend's was on one bill and mine on a separate. However, server came back with our cards and explained it was easier to apply it to the entire table and mine also ended up discounted. I was completely surprised by that gesture as I wasn't expecting it at all. Highly recommend (and not because of the discount) for the excellent service and food! Left a happy girl that evening.

    (5)
  • Jody B.

    Went to Eddie Merlot's with foodie friends after a series of unhappy experiences at other restaurants. They were on our short list of "sure things", places we have enjoyed for years without fail. Unfortunately, the friend whose birthday we were celebrating found a FLY in her salad!!!!! The manager came over and apologized to her, but she didn't get an offer of another salad. When the bill came, we were charged for her whole meal, INCLUDING that salad! Not acceptable. Sadly, Eddie is off the short list......

    (1)
  • Erni M.

    I continue to love this place. They really step it up more each time. Now having a pre set menu that was excellent. Bar area is some comfortable and full or special menu offered

    (5)
  • Amanda G.

    Service in the lounge was okay, at best. It took 45 minutes to receive bread. The waitress removed my bread plate while I was still eating. My dining companion had their dinner plate removed mid-bite. Food was mediocre. Quite disappointing because the previous dining experience was excellent.

    (2)
  • Leslie H.

    One of the best steakhouses in Indy. The ambiance is great, the service is excellent, impressive menu and great selection of wine. What I love the most is their banana foster. It's served flambé and table side. It's absolutely delicious!

    (5)
  • Talitha H.

    The food was good. The service was extraordinary. The decor and atmosphere was nicely done. I ordered the New Orleans Grill Mix and is was very nicely made and just the right amount. The Berry White drink was something very different and something I would recommend.

    (5)
  • Lynette A.

    Update: Manager called to offer apologies and thanked us for telling them. Subsequently, the server in question is no longer there. Gave us a $75 gift card and asked us to ask for him by name on our next visit. What started out as a lovely and memorable restaurant for us turned into a disastrous no go. My partner and I got engaged in August and wanted to round off the night with a lovely and romantic dinner. We called in early to make sure they had us down for one of their comfy round booths and that our RSVP was still on, but when we got there they had canceled our reservations and said we were going to have to wait an hour. I explained that we already HAD reservations but someone messed up and canceled it. They eventually seated us. Our food was delicious and our server even congratulated us and brought us a red velvet cupcake (yay for equality at Eddie's, at least!) Six months later we had reservations for Valentine's Day. When we arrived, it was snowing (the winter from hell wasn't going to stop us) and it took us an hour to get there from Avon. We were seated promptly but didn't see our server for over 30 minutes. I should have just walked out, but I was hoping for that delicious filet and creme brûlée! We got our drinks after 45 minutes, our appetizer another 30 min later and then when my meal came after an hour and 20 minutes I should have just demanded to see the manager. We both ordered the bone-in filet, mine without pepper seasoning. What came to me was an overcooked piece of meat that required that I cut off the top layer of all sides just to be edible. The outside was so terribly charred, I probably should have sent it back...however, when my partner pointed out that hers was overcooked, the server got cranky and said "cut into it further." She just accepted it and ate it anyway. I didn't want to wait an hour and a half again! Most of my $60 steak went into the trash. The sides and dessert were fine, but if I pay $60 for a piece of beef, that thing had BETTER be good. Nope. Two and a half hours later we left. I sent a letter to management hoping for some sort of response - nothing. Not sure we'll take a risk on a $200 meal that sucks again.

    (5)
  • Gary A.

    Brought my wife here for our first anniversary. Food was good, steaks were cooked perfect but lacked seasoning. My lobster tail was amazing. The service however rivaled the worst I've ever had. The server brought our food out and drink refills, never to be seen again, which would have been fine had he gotten the drink order correct. Manager ended up bringing out our bill and handling it.

    (2)
  • Jemmie W.

    When rating places like Eddie Merlot's (or any place), I have to keep the price in mind. The food and service are impeccable. The aged prime steaks are top quality, the sides are perfect, the appetizers are delicious, and the service is top notch. So why not five stars? The price. I only go to Eddie Merlot for corporate events; I have never gone on my own dime (or, more appropriately, Benjamin(s)). I'm just not sure I can justify the price. In other words, I'm not sure it's a great value. It could be that I'm just a cheapskate. But if I can't justify going somewhere with my own money, I can't give it five stars, no matter how great I think it is. And Eddie Merlot's is great.

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    Went here for a pre-Christmas dinner with my family. The food was so-so. Started with the blue cheese chips, they were fantastic as always. Then moved on to the mains. The steaks were "ok." One of the steaks was supposed to be medium well, but came medium rare. We sent it back, and it came back more a medium. At that point we didn't feel like waiting for another try. Aside, from the preparation issue, the steaks had a good flavor. The sides were your average mashed potatoes, Eddies Potatoes, and assorted greenery. Certainly nothing special... For the prices, I would recommend Morton's over Eddie's. When you're charging premiums for steaks, you need to provide premium food and premium service. Speaking of service, it was very good. Our servers were attentive and professional. They did a great job overall. Management was pretty good in that he did try to fix the steak and comp'd us desert (which was unnecessary, but a nice gesture). Next year, I think I'll be doing something different. I did check the wine list, though we didn't order any. The list had some really nice bottles and seemed reasonably priced. My recommendation would be Morton's if you really want a great steak and dining experience. In my opinion, Eddie's seems like it is trying to be Morton's on the North side. If you don't want to make the drive downtown, this is a reasonably good option. You may also want to consider Fleming's or Ruth's Chris.

    (3)
  • Julianna Y.

    First timer at Eddie Merlot's. I was very pleased with my meal. I had the 10 oz bison ribeye steak, cooked medium. It was lean and still had some fat on it, just perfect for me. It was flavorful, the butter that was on too my ribeye made the steak even better. We had the Eddie's potatoes that had jalapeño in it was superb! The mushrooms was delicious...I think it could have used a little bit more flavoring. Overall what really did it for me was the ribeye and Eddie's potatoes. The potatoes were rich and creamy and seasoned and cooked to perfection! I also try my boyfriends bone in filet, it was very flavorful...I def liked my ribeye a lot better. Also the sweet mashed potatoes were pretty good, it reminded me of a pie. Services was amazing. Michael made sure our experience was awesome at Eddie's!

    (5)
  • TJ S.

    I had the Chopped Salad $10 as entree....I do not if was because it was Monday but 3/4 of the ingredients not there. Crisp lettuce, Gruyère cheese, NO red onion, celery, tomatoes, NO artichoke hearts, NO crispy prosciutto, and NO seasoned almonds, creamy herb dressing. Sitting at the Bar with clients...Staff overwhelmed so by the time bartendar came back to ask if we need anything else Clients were done with there meal. Very Disappointed

    (1)
  • Dawn Z.

    My husband and I met some friends for dinner here and had a great time. Service was friendly and efficient. My ribeye was delicious, although I did not pay the extra $16 for the fancier bone-in larger version. The Brussels sprouts with bacon and onions were amazing. Lots of local beer choices and a large interesting drink menu. Don't fill up on the bread they being out beforehand, although it is warm, crusty and seasoned. We had bananas foster table side which was not only delicious but a fun entertaining way to end the evening.

    (5)
  • Peter P.

    Terrific steakhouse on the north side. Service is always excellent. Free valet service. Food is prepared perfectly every time. Prices are reasonable when you consider the level of service and quality of the food.

    (4)
  • Matthew N.

    Came here on a Saturday night for dinner. I liked that they asked us if we'd prefer a booth or table, this makes a big difference to my wife. We started with a caesar salad and a romaine waldorf salad. For mains my wife had the 7oz filet and I had the sea bass. The filet was cooked perfectly and the sea bass was tasty. We also shared a side of mashed potatoes that were delicious. For dessert we had the vanilla cognac brownie prepared table side. The service was adequate but could have been better. When our dinners were served I asked for another glass of wine and more bread, but I didn't receive them until we were done eating. Our server also could have been more engaging with menu suggestions since we were first timers. He was going through the motions with the suggestive selling. Worth noting that we had our rehearsal dinner here 3 years ago and it was a fantastic experience. They have some great private rooms for such occasions.

    (4)
  • Shepley H.

    If I'm going to spend an excessive amount for a steak, I expect it to be perfect and the 10 oz. filet I had at Eddie Merlot's was just that. Perfectly cooked to a medium rare and the seasoning was simple and spot on. Sides were served family style, which was disappointing because I was eating alone and would have liked to order something else, but that would have been way too much food. The only reason it is not a 5 Star is because of the atmosphere. I ate at the bar and it was just like eating at a suburban steakhouse, which is where I was at. I realize I would need to be downtown to have a vibrant atmosphere, but that would be my only knock on the place. The service was solid and would recommend the place to anyone in the area wanting a really nice "family atmosphere" type dinner.

    (4)
  • Melissa V.

    While we don't live particularly close, we like Eddie Merlot's so much that early this year we joined their Platinum Club, which rewards frequent diners. The positives include good food (we have several favorites, including the spicy rock shrimp appetizer, truffle fries, filet, and red velvet cupcake for dessert), good drinks, very nice house wine (Raymond Cabernet), and (with the exception of one visit, where we were completely forgotten for 45 minutes) consistent service. However, on our most recent visits we have been disappointed. We typically sit in the bar, which offers a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. Lately, there have been groups having parties in the large room adjoining the bar. Despite very high noise levels (think lots of drinking and loud laughing), the doors between the bar and the room are never closed unless we (or another patron) request it. We have even witnessed members of these groups spill out into the bar area as well, actually leaning against the back of unoccupied seats arranged around unoccupied bar tables! Given that we are disturbed by this behavior and can see from others' expressions that they are displeased, none of the staff seem inclined to take it upon themselves to usher the partygoers into the dedicated space and close the doors to the adjoining room. Isn't it the business of the staff and/or manager(s) to ensure that the patrons are enjoying their dining experience? I presume there are doors on the banquet room for a reason -- likely just this reason. When the noise level is so high that conversation is difficult and large groups cannot be contained, by all means USE THE DOORS! At this point, we are not inclined to return to EM any time soon. After a long day at work, a loud and noisy group party is not my idea of a relaxing evening. I'm sure we will return, however, and when we do I hope things are handled differently in this regard. If not, EM will most assuredly lose our business to another steakhouse that pays more attention to its diners' needs. Maybe we can even find one closer to home.

    (3)
  • Alison C.

    Excellent. My husband had steak fritte, he gives it 9/10.... I had beef bourginon-who else has that?? It was amazing. Both came w Caesar salad for $28, so great value. Sides are big enough to share. Lobster bisque is one of the best I've had at a restaurant. Half price bottles of wine on Sunday!! Open on Xmas!! Closing the deal w creme brûlée!

    (5)
  • Jonathan D.

    I have said it before and I will say it again. The best filet in the city, as well as the best staff and the nicest atmosphere. We eat here a couple times a month, and are also members of their newly started wine club. This is kind of our home away from home. I am a butcher so buying a steak out is a little tough coming from my end. I would recommend the filet oscar, or the new orleans mixed grill. Their wine selection is great and Joseph or Marcus will help you pick whatever suits you best. You never get the feeling that you have to buy the 300 dollar bottle of huge cab because they will look down on you if you don't. They are really there to make your experience better. try it out at least once!!!

    (5)
  • Lea G.

    Went late for drinks and apps. The escargot and calimari were great. The atmosphere was dark, lovely, romantic and the acoustic music was nice! I had never been before and I was very impressed. It was a great place to wind down and get my cozy on w my man while drinking a huge glass of wine and eating some fantastic apps! Also I heard my bf say he had a good experience at a corporate meeting; good food and good service.

    (4)
  • Jay S.

    It not very often we really get what we are hoping for. Filet steak .. Just plain without any extras .... Melt in your mouth. Shrimp Cocktail... Huge shrimp... And who said iceberg lettuce can't be good for you? Especially with Balsamic dressing. Just do it!

    (5)
  • Robin L.

    Our service was fantastic, possibly the best I've had since moving to Indy. The steaks we had--trio of filets and bone-in ribeye--were fantastic, which is what you would expect due to price point and menu focus. The sides could have used a bit of work--we really didn't like the tempura green beans in the least. My chopped salad had great ingredients but was severely over-dressed--I always ask for dressing on the side and forgot this time. Big mistake. I totally agree with another reviewer that the ambiance is that of a Cheesecake Factory, which is really unfortunate. It was not quite the romantic dinner I was expecting because of noise level and bizarre decor. All in all, really fab steaks, which is what they are aiming for.

    (4)
  • John T.

    From the decor to the service and food, this place had it all. We started with the seared Ahi Tuna and a few other things and thought to ourselves 'If this place keeps this up, we are going to be very happy.' Well, thankfully, they knocked it out of the park with the main dishes. We each got a huge tomahawk Kobe steak, and absolutely loved it. The portions were enormous, the wine suggestions were perfect, and the attention to details was unbelievable. Cannot wait to go back! I recommend this place for all those looking to get a dinner that is really worth it.

    (5)
  • Anna L.

    I never got around to reviewing Eddie Merlot's, but it still haunts me this day on how my party's dining experience was during the all-you-can-eat lobster promotion. And from that day forward, I haven't set foot back into this restaurant for the quality of food we received. The salad was sub par, no better than a premixed salad from the grocery store even though it was presented in this lovely, modern bowl. The Caesar salad lacked any flavor if there was any at all and seemed very wet. The mashed potatoes could have been excellent, if it wasn't only brought out slightly warm. The real disappointment was the boiled lobsters, what we specifically here for. It seemed like the kitchen was rushing the orders out to meet demands, but you should NEVER, EVER serve someone a dead or undercooked lobster! A lobster should be bright red and easy to crack when fully cooked, not black outside with semi-raw flesh inside. I hope this wasn't a tactic to keep us from eating a fair share, but this was completely unacceptable. On a good note, the wine pairing was superb, but the meal ruined our evening. We paid $150 hoping to have a nice lobster feast. Instead, we went home dissatisfied with the minimal lobsters we ate. I really hope this place gets their act together and improves their food quality. I have been skeptical to go back to try other menu items, but perhaps I may give it a second chance after some time has passed.

    (2)
  • Bryan S.

    Eddie Merlots was a great time. Was there for happy hour, they were very accommodating for our large group. Things were well priced, food was good, and atmosphere was great. Overall, a solid steakhouse!

    (4)
  • Larry A.

    I am sitting at the bar in Eddie Merlots. When I got here at 7:00 the tables were full. No problem, the bar is full service. Brianna the Bartender, immediately walked over and set me up with a water and a menu. We talked about a drink and she suggested a few. I settled on a Eddie's Paradise Infusion martini. Excellent! I perused the menu and quickly settled on the NY Strip with steamed broccoli. Seriously now, the restaurant was full and my meal was served in 20 minutes or so. The steak was done to perfection. I ordered medium rare. The peppercorn sauce was spicy and awesome. This is how a steakhouse steak should be served! I am only in town for a short while, but I'll be back here when it get back.

    (5)
  • Shelly F.

    Stopped for a cocktail and snack after work. I was hesitant on going as I was in scrubs and looked a hot mess. I was greeted with no bias on my appearance. First gold star. Was in the mood for a martini and decided to try something new. Ordered an "In bloom martini" it was wonderful, not sweet at all but refreshing. Gold star number 2. Decided on the sliders for my snack, it had blue cheese and french fried onions. It was perfect! so much so that I ordered seconds to bring home for my daughter to enjoy. Gold star number 3. Our bartender was professional and engaging without being intrusive. Gold star number 4. Looking forward to having a full meal in the near future.

    (4)
  • Bryan W.

    So to start off, i want to say i may sound like i didn't have a good experience, but i did. I made a reservation and requested to sit in the main dining room, but when i arrived, they didn't have a seat in the main room. We were unfortunately placed in the lounge next to a group of 10 people who had probably been drinking since 3 or so in the afternoon. Must say, first time i had heard someone order food by saying "get me the F'ing fillet". Me ordered the crab cakes and oysters. Crab takes, amazing. Im an east coast boy and i know my crab cakes and oysters. Both were excellent and well received. we ordered a bottle of 2010 Malbec, but when it came, it was a 2012 vintage. I pointed it out just so the waiter knew and he offered to take it off the bill. I declined, the wine was still excellent, but i know how people can be sometimes. I got the fillet and my date ordered the sea bass. The sea bass was sublime and the steak was incredibly tender. I haven't had sea bass cooked that well, i dont know how they did it, but bravo. I got to try the bbq shrimp with my steak as well. Those things are out of this world. We ended dinner with a glass of port and were very satisfied. The waiter even brought us a complimentary cupcake to apologize for the wine and the loud group of people. If the manager is reading this, give that boy Austin a raise. He is honestly the best waiter i have met in this town. He was courteous, kind, and knew the menu back to front. He took care of us and was just perfect. He only enhanced the experience and is a valuable asset. It is rare to find someone in the service industry who is that passionate about his job, and he is one of them. Keep him around! Though it is a little out of my price range, i will definetely be back for a special occasion and look forward to trying something knew.

    (4)
  • Kyla W.

    This was our first time dining here. We were in town to celebrate my daughter's birthday and in previous years dined at downtown restaurants. I had requested a very nice table and told them we were celebrating a birthday and we got what we asked for. The best table and the best server (Michael). He was fun and very attentive. The appetizers were excellent. The best crab cakes I have ever had. I highly recommend the Gibson Martini. We will definitely dine here again. Also there is free valet service (finding a parking spot downtown can be tricky). I almost forgot to tell you the steaks are some of the best that my adult children have ever had and they have dined at st. Elmo's, Ruth's Chris and Prime 47. So if you are looking for great steak this is the place. Also the ambience is beautiful. Very classy.

    (5)
  • Whitnie E.

    My boyfriend and I came here last night to celebrate NYE. We had never been and were looking forward to a great meal based on many friends' recommendations. Well, we were not disappointed in the least. We were 10 minutes early for our reservation, yet we were still seated immediately upon check in. The service was fantastic (we had 3 waiters in our section dedicated to keeping us happy). We decided to start with the beef carpaccio based on the waiter's recommendation. We were so happy we ordered it. I have had many a carpaccio but this one stood out in its originality. It was a large square plate covered in very thin slices of tender, ice cold raw beef. The beef was topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, capers, red onions......and the thickest balsamic I have ever seen. I kind of have a thing for balsamic and it easy to tell the quality of the balsamic based on thickness. This was almost a paste, and was so delicious I wanted to lick it off the plate. When we lifted a sheet of beef off the plate, it was like melted cheese and created long strings of balsamic...so yummy. My favorite part however, was the polenta cake in the center of all the beef. It was crisp and light and so tasty. The true sweetness of the corn stood out and the center almost tasted like cake. A combination of all the elements was heaven in our mouths. I really liked the crunch the lettuce lended and had never thought it would blend so well into the dish. Next, we got our entrees. Based on the copious amounts of beef I had already consumed, I decided to go with a 6oz. filet..but "Oscar Style". And this was the best decision. Ever. I am a beef fanatic and prefer my steaks medium rare...and this was cooked to perfection. It simply melted away in my mouth. The filet itself was topped with large chunks of crab and they were quite scrumptious. But onto the best part...oh my gosh the bernaise sauce. It was so incredibly rich and creamy and delicious. Easily one of the best I have ever tasted. We ordered a side to split, and decided on the "Lyonnaise potatoes". They were sliced potatoes, pan friend to a golden brown crispiness with a light fluffy interior. They were also pan fried with a nice amount of onions, combining two very good, comforting flavors. They were a good, tasty accompaniment to the meal, without overpowering the main dish. I got a glass of the Rosenblum "Appellation Series" Zinfandel and was not disappointed. The wine was everything a Zin should be and a great complement to the steak. We ended the meal by taking home a Red Velvet cupcake to spilt. This cupcake was so good. The cake was rich and moist, and the cream cheese frosting had to be about 80% cream cheese. It was THAT good. However, it was filled in the center with red velvet mousse which put it over the top. This meal was the perfect way to end 2012, and I will definitely be back to try other things on the menu (or order the "Oscar style" filet again....) And I would definitely say that the quality of the food you get is definitely worth the price tag.

    (5)
  • Tim R.

    Wish I could give 4.5 stars... I don't give out 5 stars easily. Just moved to Indy recently and I've been on the hunt for an excellent dinner for that special occasion. Service was outstanding. It was quiet the night we went, perhaps 7 tables, but it's always nice to be able to relax knowing the server is capable and so much more than merely competent. We had the chilled seafood appetizer, it was a special occasion and we didn't want to worry about the cost, just get a good meal. Well - there was so much good on that appetizer it set the stage for the rest. Crab meat, lobster tails, prawns, oysters, all top quality. The crab chunks were about the size of my thumb!! Hot horseradish cocktail sauce and fresh shrimp. Very impressed. I had the tomahawk rib, she had a filet. Arrived soon after we finished the appetizer and first glass of wine. Perfectly cooked, tender, flavorful, and well presented. Too full for dessert, but as we sat and talked over a cleaned up table, we were delighted with an 'on the house' red velvet cupcake, with two forks. You really have to impress me to get 5 stars, so don't let the 4 star rating keep you from trying it. Be prepared to spend some cash...it's not the Outback. They're charging a fair price for what they deliver.

    (4)
  • Jen F.

    Oh Eddie, I wanted tonight to be the beginning of a long love affair between us! There might be a second date, but I'm just not feeling a future between us. The restaurant itself is pretentious. They have valet and a parking lot. It's complimentary, but who doesn't feel obligated to tip? I mean, it's like if they had valet at, say, Applebee's. The decor is half beautiful and half tired. We were seated right away for our 5:00 reservation. That probably helped because there was no one else around. Purely our own fault, though, as we were early birds hoping to catch a movie after dinner. Our server, a handsome young man whose name escapes me, but who has an adorable scar above his right eyebrow - was amazing. As a matter of fact, I'd say that this is a 3-star review instead of a 2-star (maybe even 1-star?) solely because of him. We started with the shrimp cocktail and the Ahi Tuna wontons. The shrimp cocktail contained four huge shrimp in an "okay" cocktail sauce. It had a nice horseradish bite, but I kept getting hints of ketchup. I just kept thinking "I'm paying $15 for four shrimp and ketchup." Here's the clincher... they put the bowl in a larger bowl with dry ice in it. That's right, it comes out all smokin' like bad fog at an Ozzie concert. Way too much flash for shrimp and ketchup. There was a phallic piece of lettuce sticking out of the top, too. The Ahi Tuna wontons consisted of four triangle wonton crisps topped with raw Ahi and, as the menu says, "Asian flavors." The wonton crisps seemed a bit stale. If they were freshly fried for our serving, I'm shocked. There was a lot of tuna and it was fresh. The "Asian flavors" didn't bring much to the party. No hint of wasabi or soy, but it was more of a sweet taste. Too sweet, like jam. We decided that we'd not order this again. My husband ordered a 22 oz. bone-in ribeye topped w/ foie gras. There's just no way this was a 22 oz piece of meat. There's just simply NO way. It LOOKED like a "grocery store" size steak. Now, it tasted great. It had tons of flavor, nice char and they hit medium rare on the nose. It tasted delicious. It was not, however, a $50 a la carte 22 oz. steak. It was topped with two slices of foie gras, one of which was buttery and smooth, as it should be. The other, unfortunately, was spongy and fibrous. . I had a 16 oz. (no bone) ribeye and had the same size issues. Like Philip's ribeye, it wasn't even an inch thick. Again, great taste, but I kept thinking it came in on black styrofoam with plastic wrap over it. I ordered my steak w/ black and bleu scallops. The scallops (2) were not seared. They were just dipped in a cajun "blackening" seasoning, but they missed the hot buttery pan and the crisp, caramelized coat that scallops wear so well. They were sitting in a pool of gorgonzola sauce that had a nice, mild flavor. It was a little thick and kind of hit the plate in a big blob, but it tasted good. I have to say, though, the blackening seasoning was way too overpowering for the scallops. I couldn't even taste scallop. I could taste blackening seasoning. THE SIDES WERE DELICIOUS. The sides were delicious! I kept saying, "Wow, the sides are really delicious!" The Onions and Charred Jalapenos was super delish and not at all spicy. The large cipollini onions were caramelized and the roasted jalapenos were sweet. Oven Roasted Mushrooms were a real win and were super rich in flavor. Hash Browns are a must-have (you know, if you go) shredded potatoes, cooked in a skillet that end up crispy on both sides, but fluffy and buttery in the middle. The sides are large enough to share with the table. Coffee service came and it's so cute. They bring a lil tray with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks along with the usual suspects. The coffee is strong without being bitter. I ended up making myself my own lil whipped cream topped delight with chocolate shavings. We ordered Peach/Apple Crisp and Carrot Cake for dessert. When cute server came with only the crisp and a sad face, I knew I wasn't going to be having any Carrot Cake. For some reason, it wasn't going to be available for another hour or so. This was totally not our servers fault, he was surprised and embarrassed to have to tell me. The Peach/Apple Crisp was enough to share and the fruit inside was delicious. The topping, though, was a little underdone and had a raw flour-y taste to it. Our bill was over $200 before tip and that includes no cold beverages or alcohol. I'm no stranger to $200 restaurant tabs. This was just simply NOT a $200 meal. You're looking at $100 a person for app/salad, entree and shared dessert. I can't say that I recommend that you go. I'm not even sure if Eddie will ask me on a second date after this review and I think I'm okay with that. ETA: Anthony! Our server was Anthony! If you go, ask for him and treat him well. He deserves it.

    (3)
  • Emel S.

    This was my first trip to Eddie Merlot's and I was rather excited to try a new place that I'd heard such great things about. And I will say that 95% of the food did not disappoint. The service however...not so great. My family went as a group of 5 so nothing crazy large or anything. We started by ordering a bottle of wine. We picked at 2009 Pinot Noir (I can't remember which one). The waiter flashed the bottle to my sister (who had ordered the wine) and immediately started to open it before she agreed that it was the wine she had ordered. She was reading the label as he tore off the seal and noted that the wine he brought was a 2011. She pulled the wine list up again and pointed out that the wine she ordered was 2009. The waiter was looking at her like the vintage of a wine didn't actually matter. He told her he would go and check to see if they had the 2009. He came back reporting that they did not. He also said that the menu had recently changed but they hadn't updated it. My sister said that we would drink the wine but in the future he should note that the age of the wine is important. Again, she received a blank stare. When she tried the wine she decided to make nice and tried to get a laugh out of the waiter and joked that "it was good but not as a good at the 2009" adding a laugh at the end so that he would know she was joking. Blank stare...tough crowd. We then placed our orders. My dad wanted the New Orleans Medley but asked if they could make it without the sausage because he can't eat sausage and maybe give him more shrimp in its place. The waiter said that he would ask the chef. He came back and said that the chef could add 1 more shrimp in place of the sausage and my dad said that was fine and placed his order. When the food came out my dad looked at his plate and asked the waiter what the sauce that his steak was placed on was and the waiter didn't know. So he took the plate back into the kitchen to ask the chef. When he came back he said that it was sausage...so my dad had to send back his plate and request...what he had ordered. That was kind of annoying. Our appetizer of the sesame calamari came out and it was good but not the best calamari I've had in Indiana (right now Cooper's Hawk is winning that contest). The waiter had said that he'd be bringing the bread out with the soup. Later the soup came out...but no bread. Only one person at the table actually ordered soup and he had finished it before the bread even came out . Next came our food. The food ordered included the black and blue scallops, the sesame tuna, the filet, the crab bisque, the New Orleans medley, truffle fries, Eddie's potatoes, and the tempura beans. Everyone enjoyed their food and I will say that the sides are HUGE. 3 was way too many for 5 people. Two would have been good and we could have easily done with one but we wanted to try a few. Most of us didn't think there was anything special about Eddie's potatoes but we all liked the fries and the beans. We enjoyed our dinner and I'd be willing to give the place a shot because we did enjoy our food. The portions were a decent size and we left with a lot of leftovers. I really wanted to like the restaurant but I feel like the service definitely could have been better.

    (3)
  • Julia C.

    My brother brought us to Eddie Merlot's on a recent visit to my family in Indianapolis. The menu says "distinctively different". And I would say I agree.... It was crowded on Saturday Night - Both my Mom and I ordered seafood entrees and my brother a filet mignon. The appetizers: artichoke dip, crab cakes - every one preferred the crab cakes. Dinner came with a salad. They were huge. We also ordered sides to have with our meals - Creamed spinach-Yum!, Eddie's Potatoes- Good . We were full but it was our Mom's birthday the week before, so, she received a complimentary piece of cake. It was huge! Very good. We had lots of left overs which I used the next morning for a lovely Mother's Day breakfast. It was nice and we thanked my brother for treating us. Also had my young niece - they have a kids menu and booster seats. The staff was very professional and accomodating.

    (4)
  • Kat C.

    we come here to celebrate for our son's 10th birthday and so glad that we did. The foods are so delicious, the deserts are phenomenon....top it of is their service is outstanding. David- our server even took his time to take us to the wine cellar & show us around... it's a great experience that we all enjoy very much. I definitely will come back.

    (5)
  • Brad W.

    Really great food. Waldorf salad was scrumptious, the trio of medallions rocked my world, and dessert was amazing as well. Solid 4 stars.

    (4)
  • N. L.

    On a 1-10 Scale: Food = 7 | Service = 10 | Ambiance = 4 Notes: Free valet parking I'm actually giving Eddie Merlot's 3.5 stars because the service was fantastic but the food was just good (not great). The two of us ordered the calamari appetizer, chateaubriand for two (about $90), and creme brulee. Calamari was yummy and I liked that they served it with three different sauces. The cheateaubriand was good-- but nothing to write home about. The creme brulee was also good. I believe EM's aims to be upscale, but it kinda reminds me of a fancy Cheesecake Factory more than a four- or five- star restaurant. The decor was loud - lots of gold trim and these weird huge pillars in the middle of the place - but I forgave it because the service was excellent (attentive and courteous). However, I've heard from at least one person that the service and food was sub-par when he attended a large group dinner-- so beware of large parties. I've only been there once but I don't think I'd return.

    (3)
  • Kat G.

    Extremely disappointed.... I booked a reservation for birthday party in the room outside the bar area. I should have known it was going to be a disaster when I discovered the first guests to arrive had been seated in the main dining area. It took several minutes to place a drink order initially. Then it seemed like an eternity before we could order out apps and entrées. Then another eternity before they arrived. My date and I both ordered the lobster bisque. The taste was decent but lukewarm and my serving had 2-3 lumps of lobster and my dates had absolutely zero. When the entrées finally arrived, mine was WAY over cooked and my date's was missing the side of frites that came with the meal. When dessert was set to arrive, we were informed that the kitchen was out of the options that we ordered. The manager politely offered to replace them with anything else on the menu regardless of price, which was the best course of the entire meal. We arrived at 7:15 and did not finish paying the check until 10:30. I must add that this was during the Northside Nights Restaurant Week which made the a bit busier than usual. However, an establishment of this caliber should be able to handle a few extra diners on a Saturday night.... As the old saying goes, if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen!!!

    (1)
  • Lord B.

    Came here for a business dinner. The staff was friendly and helpful. We ordered our steaks "Oscar Style" which was fantastic. The calamari is excellent as well. You will definitly get your money's worth here! Great for a date night!

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    I have never had a bad experience at Eddie Merlot's. We usually go during their spring special of AYCE lobster or King crab which are both very good. I think they switch between lobster and crab each year but both are very tasty. Make sure you get a reservation atleast a week in advance if you go during this time. Lobster is my wife's favorite food so we are usually here for hours when we do go, thankfully it is usually during March Madness and we sit in the lounge and I can watch basketball while she takes out about half of Eddie Merlot's shipment for the day. My favorite thing here is the Bone in Ribeye with Peppercorn Sauce, Oh My it is amazing. Their steak is so fresh and always perfectly cooked. This is definitely one of the best ribeye's that Ive had in Indy. Make sure you get it with the peppercorn sauce, it is creamy and a little spicy, I have no idea what is all in it but you can pretty much pour it on anything and it will be delicious. The garlic mashed potatoes are amazing as a side. The service is usually really good, just the right amount of attention. This place is really nice but it is also very pricey, hence the 4 stars, I would actually probably give it more like 4 1/2 stars. Definitely worth a try if you have never been.

    (4)
  • DeAnna P.

    Eddie Merlot's never disappoints. One of my favorite restaurants in Indianapolis. We called ahead and requested the best server since it was our first anniversary. The hostess, manager, and server all told us happy anniversary and congratulations during our visit. It's these little touches that set them apart. They also made sure to put us in a corner several tables away from everyone for more privacy. Very sweet! Definitely go on a Sunday or Monday to enjoy half-price bottles of wine. The Villa Rosa Moscato was bubbly and not too sweet. Hubby started with the cream of heirloom tomato soup, which was thick and creamy, not too heavy. This was enjoyed with their signature (and free!) giant round of crispy bread. I had the Caesar salad. Bonus points for adding anchovies for free upon request. The salad was dressed well, not too much or too little dressing and the lettuce was fresh. For entrees, I had the 6 oz filet and hubby had the fried chicken stuffed with artisanal ham and cheese. When the entrees came out, while they were delicious, the ham/cheese were missing from the chicken and the steak was medium+ instead of medium rare. We told the server, Stephen, that it was ok, but he insisted on a "do over" and had fresh entrees out to us within 10 minutes. He also let us keep the sides to have something to munch on while they refired the entrees (cannot believe how many places try to take ALL your food while they fix a mistake). The filet was melt-in-your-mouth perfect. The gorgonzola-bacon crust was also delicious. There was a bit too much of it, which was remedied by mixing with my side item to make the best mashed potatoes ever. The manager came over to check on us and, as always, was very sweet and helpful. Before dessert, Hubby ordered coffee. The side plate included sugar cubes (cute!), cream, dark chocolate slivers, and real whipped cream. I'm not a coffee drinker, but it make me want to order one, just to play with all the add ins. Hubby finished with a caramel macchiato dessert that was served with a cup of espresso. Hubby deemed it wonderful - I was too mesmerized with my own dessert to try it. My "slice" of red velvet cake was actually a four layer mini cake that was the size of a small house. It was moist and would have been almost too rich, but it was served with a tart berry coulis that offset the richness quite nicely. Stephen boxed up ALL the myriad leftovers for us and turned in our valet ticket so that our car was waiting when we walked out. He was the perfect mix of attentive by not overly hovery. I will definitely ask to be seated in his section again every time we go. The staff here made a very special night especially memorable with great food and outstanding service. The downtown Indy steakhouses have nothing on this place.

    (5)
  • Jane M.

    We held a private corporate event at Eddie Merlots during Super Bowl weekend in Indianapolis. What a treat. The Merlot room is lovely for an intimate gathering with the ambiance of a warming fireplace. The service is only surpassed by the food. All at our table enjoyed the variety of choices on the menu from appetizers to desserts. Don't miss this fine choice in this lovely city.

    (5)
  • Hannah C.

    Appropriate dress: Eddie Merlot's is definitely a fancy pants joint but not stuffy, thank goodness... because, um, my party showed up in jeans, board shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. For a first time visit and realizing how under-dressed we were, I got a little worried... especially when I pulled up to the restaurant and saw the sign for valet. BUT, since it was late on a weekday night, we thought we could slide. No one gave us funny looks, but when you wipe your hands on monogrammed disposable napkins as you look at your sweaty reflection in the mirror... you feel like you might be clashing. So don't be like me... wear at least business casual attire when you dine here! Seafood Dinner at a Steakhouse: Amongst the four of us, we ordered the scallops, bass, ahi tuna, and pork - no steak! It was all solidly good but not knock your socks off. The gorgonzola was a bit overpowering on the scallops and the same for the soy on the greens accompanying the sea bass. Everything else was pretty darn delicious and cooked to the right degrees. Oh, and the bread was warm with soft saltiness = just what we were looking for - we asked for seconds! Will have to give the steaks a go the next time I'm here. Weekday ambiance: On a weekday night around 8:30pm, the restaurant (which boasts an expanse of tables and seating) was nearly empty save for a few older couples out on dates. The serving staff was attentive, and the entrees came out in a flash! Thanks to those at Eddie Merlot's for being gracious hosts! We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Christy P.

    Appearance: lighting and decor was inviting. The rooms and tables were spacious. Meal: ate off the Northside Nights menu. Had the Caesar Salad (Romaine lettuce, with parmesan cheese and house made Caesar salad dressing, garlic croutons) as a starter- they were both like a typical Caesar salad. The bread served with the soft butter was phenomenal. Can't say enough good things about it. The Entrees: 1 Steak Frites plate (Prime flat iron steak with Maître d'hôtel butter and house cut fries) and 1 upgrade to an 8oz Filet for $8... They were a little disappointing with the side options. Of all things, fries?! We wanted to substitute it for something like mashed potatoes or vegetables and we were told we couldn't- it would be an additional charge. Personally, we love fries but we expect fries from places like a typical steakhouse or a fast food restaurant not with $30+ plates. Otherwise, the steak was GREAT. Portion sizes were disappointing with all parts of our meal. The red velvet cupcake was fire! Cream cheese frosting and they bring a teeny cup of milk to complement it. By the time i was done i wanted a whole glass of milk but all in all, the food was worth eating. Customer Service: Pleasant waitress and the manager came by to see how we were doing. However expect a wait as it was busy. We made reservations (definitely a good idea during Northside Nights). We waited a bit for our food. Entire experience: All in all, It's worth visiting! Had a decent time and the food wasn't disappointing.

    (4)
  • Rob J.

    Always a good dinning experience!

    (4)
  • Aboud Y.

    This is an outstanding steakhouse! Had a great meal here with colleagues from work. Some thoughts: The Good: ++ Menu. Awesome menu with lots of interesting and unique selections (e.g., Wagyu steak, fois gras slices as a side dish, etc.) ++ Steak. I had the NY Strip and it was excellent...perfectly cooked and very flavorful ++ Sides. Baked potato and creamed spinach were both tasty ++ Dessert. Largest and most delicious carrot cake I've ever came across ++ Service. Very professional and courteous. The Not So Good: -- Atmosphere. Had a Cheesecake Factory vibe going on. And things were pretty dead on Wed night. We were the only people in the restaurant. -- Name. Eddie Merlot's? WTF?

    (4)
  • Brian M.

    We were a party of 8 people for dinner on a relatively calm evening. Honestly, the place was not crowded and not surprisingly so on a Monday night. The first thing that struck me was how long it took the server to bring our drinks. It was easily 15 minutes and then she spilled one of the drinks. But high marks for her quick return with a fresh drink! Taking the wine order was another story. It took forever!! We ordered two bottles. She finally came to tell us they only had one in stock and it wasn't even the vintage we ordered. So we decided to take that one right away given how long it took to retrieve the first bottle. Also, we asked her to bring two bottles of a different wine since there were 8 of us and the bottle was already empty. She didn't bring those bottles until we asked again maybe 15 minutes later... and then she still only brought one bottle!! One bottle doesn't even fill up 8 glasses. So, we spent the entire evening at a deficit in terms of wine supply. I have never worked in a restaurant, but simple economics would tell you that leaving a table of eight with one bottle of wine that is already nearly empty isn't a good strategy. So why is this so you might wonder given that the server is compensated based on a tip? Well, with a party of 8, she gets a 20% tip automatically, even if she is horrible. But, why didn't she consider that for every $70 bottle of wine, she earns 20% or $14? I suppose she didn't get that far in school to do the math, but had she made that connection, she would have easily sold us 1 or 2 more bottles and earned a better tip. At any rate, the menu is really good in terms of beef and so we ordered some of their best cuts. The server made an honest mistake on one of the entree orders, which would have been totally fine had the grill master cooked the steak properly. Sadly, 3 of our steaks that were supposed to be medium or medium rare were cooked medium well, or well done. A real travesty to have a $65 piece of meat rendered useless. They brought us new steaks that were properly cooked, which was great. The ribeye was 16 oz, and a nice piece of meat, but could have been trimmed better. Easily 5 oz was totally fatty or gristly. Across the board, our requests had to be made 2, 3 or even 4 times before being fulfilled. To top it off, we had to ask for bread! Asking for bread at this sort of restaurant seems silly. It wasn't as if we didn't throw enough business to warrant some bread. The total tab was over $1,000. Seriously, shoot us some complementary bread for pete's sake! What (high end) restaurant doesn't bring bread and butter around right after filling up your water? It could be that this place is the best game in town, and that our expectations are unrealistic given we are from larger metro areas in the US and abroad. That may cover 50% of the delta. But, to be honest I have had better service in much smaller metropolitan areas and didn't have to ask for bread or a drink several times. Change the server's compensation so that they are incented based on their yelp score!! And establish some basic metrics around how long it should take to bring a drink.

    (1)
  • Benjamin R.

    Just shy of Ruth's Chris, but still delicious

    (4)
  • Christine B.

    My husband and I went here on a date night and had a great time. Our waiter was superb. He was incredibly attentive. We had a nice banquette table with a great view of the restaurant. The decor isn't exactly super modern, in fact, I would consider it the best of the 90's on the inside, but it reminded me of the nicer places I dined at for special occasions when I was growing up. For a chain restaurant, they really hit it out of the park on service, cleanliness, and quality of the food. We ordered from their chef selection menu which was the right portion at the right price. I can't eat a lot of beef in one sitting (my mouth likes it, my digestive system doesn't, sorry TMI!) so a 6 oz filet is plenty enough for me. I had the surf and turf, steak, shrimp, and garlic mash, three things I adore all on one plate. And I think there was mushrooms in it. Make that 4 things I love all on one plate. My husband had their spicy steak meatloaf which he loved. We also had the steak potstickers as an appetizer. It was interesting to see the carts and table side presentation. I'm sure Gordon Ramsay would scream at it, but I liked it. They do a bananas foster flaming thing table side, and I also believe some kind of cherries jubilee. We were so tempted for dessert, but decided against it because we were too full. I also had a tangerine cocktail that had whisky and rosemary in it. At first I wasn't so sure about the herb, but it gave it great flavor and was a pleasant surprise. We've decided that we'll come back some night for drinks and dessert and sit in the bar. My husband said he really liked the bar area when he walked through it, and I believe they had live music going on in there as well. Also, valet parking is complimentary. They made us feel like a million bucks and it was nice to see a more affordable smaller portioned menu as an option too. Finally, a fine dining establishment has woken up and smelled the lighter wallets of this economy. Now that is a way to gain new customers and keep loyal ones. Bravo Eddie Merlots, Bravo!

    (5)
  • Brandon C.

    I had Easter brunch here with my family. We paid $35 per person for a buffet that featured some good food, some cold food and ok service. For that price we expected all our food to be warm and consistently stocked. Too often it was cold or not available when we wanted it. Oh, they also ran out of the dessert we wanted. It would have been a very good meal for half the price; for the price we paid it was underwhelming.

    (2)
  • Scott M.

    First time there & not headed back anytime soon. Made reservations for my wife's 50th B-day. They did not have the reservation, ordered drinks then waited to order appetizers. Drinks & appetizers came out at the same time. Steaks were 1 stage overcooked ( still tasted great ) had empty glasses for 5 minutes before asked if we wanted another drink. Calamari was excellent! $125 for 2, service average...

    (2)
  • Vickie C.

    My husband and I went here for my birthday celebration. Salmon was RAW in the middle! Sent it back, However the waiter NEVER apologized but said "That happens sometimes". Well that should not have happened anytime especially to such a high end restaurant.The manager never appeared to apologize either. I have also written to the restaurant regarding this experience however NO REPLY. Again for a high end restaurant this is unacceptable or any restaurant for that matter!

    (1)
  • Thuy T.

    We have dined here several times and each time we have tried something different. I have to say this place is really consistent with their beef, we have never been disappointed with any of our meat selection. They are always cooked to perfection. However, we cannot say the same about the appetizers or sides. On our first visit we ordered the calamari and it was soggy, something we shouldn't expect from fine dining. The crab cake was also a disappointment, I have had better lump crab out of a can from Meijer. On several occasions the sides were over salted, not something that should happen again and again. I'll give them credit for their garlic mashed potatoes, I can eat a whole bowl by myself. The ambiance and decor is just beautiful, a great spot for special occasions. We have never had any problem with the waitstaff and we have been greeted by the manager every single time. I highly suggest this place if you are in the mood for great steaks. They have an aged rib eye for two special with potatoes and vegetable for under $90. We also enjoyed the veal porterhouse with a Dijon sauce ($23), I can go without the sauce because the meat was just so juicy and tender. I say skip the appetizers and go easy on the sides, the main attraction here is meat!

    (4)
  • Mike T.

    The food here is top notch, but the service is hit or miss. I've had excellent service twice and poor service once. The appetizers, salads and entrees are all fantastic. The desserts are good, but not amazing.

    (4)
  • Debra T.

    Had dinner there Thursday night, party of 5, we were seated right on time 7:30, as we all took our chairs we feel like we were sitting at the childrens table, Short chairs or old and sinking and we were near the front door so ever time it opened you knew it, COLD and we were told we could not move, but for apps we had 3 different ones they were fair, we ask for horseradish for oysters it was old, not hot so they brought more and told me they tried it that it was good, he lied, you could eat it right out of the bowl,as soon as the apps hit the table they wanted our dinner order so apps are getting cold,chopped salad was to sweet for me would have been better without almonds, I had the special seabass stuffed with crab, to much salt. we had 4 sides and the mac w/lobster was the best , Don't think I will be back any time soon and I will love passing it on to anyone. VERY DISAPOINTING

    (2)
  • Stephen M.

    Five stars. A chain but who cares when the food is this good. Expensive comfort food. Excellent service.

    (5)
  • Colin G.

    Took my girlfriend here for our 1 year anniversary and it was one of the best meals I've eaten in quite a while. The food here is superb and the portions are very large. I got the sushi and steak combo and she got the filet medallions. Everything was impeccably cooked and the sides we got, asparagus and homestyle potatoes were excellent. Our waiter helped us choose a great bottle of wine that complemented the meal and she was very attentive and helpful throughout the entire dinner. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to spend a special occasion or just impress a date or client. The menu has tons of variety and the wine list is very extensive. The decor on the inside is upscale.

    (5)
  • Todd R.

    I've never been to a restaurant where each table gets a Server (who is really a chef) and a junior server, who maintains your bread, water, table, and boxes your leftovers. So to my surprise when I got such outstanding and attentive service, I was very appreciative with gratuity even though this might have been the most expensive dining experience I've ever had. But, even despite the price I know I'll be back once I remortgage my house! After some extensive review searching, chose Eddie Merlot's after deciding to splurge on dinner. The aforementioned service was top notch, and the food was even better. My bourbon glazed ribeye was cooked to perfection with all the juices and flavors bursting in a symphonic harmony of deliciousness. Each bite melted faster than a DQ soft serve cone in July and disappeared quickly with each bite even more satisfying than the last. The Eddie Merlot's original creation of cheddar potatoes with diced jalapeño peppers made a great side dish, much comparable to fresh au gratin potatos* with a mac-and-cheese twist. For desert is where all the stops were pulled out. I ordered the banana's foster (recommended for two) and the server brought out the portable gas burner, pan, butter, sliced bananas, brown sugar, rum (and more) and cooked up the dessert right in front the table. Flames sky high and all the pizazz ended with a caramelized, banana perfection drizzled over pure vanilla bean ice cream. I will go back just for dessert! But the rest of this five star meal was just as perfect! What a Meal! To steal a line from a fellow friend: Movie Star Rating: Megan Fox! *Spelled it that way just to spite dannies (Wabash v. Depauw humor)

    (5)
  • Christopher R.

    I was contacted by a representative after posting my review asking me to contact them. I did, and while I appreciated their polite inquiry and apology for what happened. I am still a little disappointed. I know these types of things do occur and I'm not bitter and might even go there again someday. I was told this incident would be forwarded to the corporate office for review. Unfortunately, I haven't received a response. Not sure if I am entitled to one, but given the fact a worm crawled out of our dessert and stared us in the face...I think it would be nice for them to send an email or letter acknowledging at the least. Until they do, this will go down as "worm-gate".

    (2)
  • Bill J.

    Very solid high-end chain steakhouse. The barbecue shrimp appetizer is one of my favorites...4 very large shrimp, wrapped in bacon and covered in a Southern Comfort BBQ sauce. The sauce is light and tangy and compliments the shrimp and bacon very well. I've never been disappointed with my steak when I've dined here, always top-notch. The dining room is quiet and intimate. You can have dinner in the bar, but I've found service *at* the bar to be a little hit or miss. The bartenders seem to be a bit too chatty with some of the patrons, which leads to them getting behind. Not a huge deal, it hasn't ruined a meal for me or anything like that, but when you're having dinner and, spending over $100 per person, you kind of don't want to sit around with your glass empty for 5 minutes. They sometimes (always?) have live music in the bar on Saturday nights, it can be a little too loud to have normal conversation. I would not hesitate to come back here or recommend it to someone.

    (4)
  • Torrey R.

    The last time I was here was not good. In fact it was so bad we were given a few gift cards to give the place another chance. It took us a year and a half but we decided to give it another whirl. I left very very happy. Our server's name was Andy and he gave us just the right amount of attention...not too much and not too little. He didn't blink when we told him we wanted spread out our order and relax a little. We ordered the crab cakes and the were out of this world. We had crab cakes not too long ago at a restaurant in Chicago but Eddie Merlots far surpassed the Chicago crab cakes. Then we ordered a filet mignon which we split (again, Andy didn't blink an eye.) It was cooked to perfection. I'm not sure how they do it but it was buttery good. Andy served us their blackberry cobbler on the house since it was my husband's birthday. Again, another great dish. Maybe I won't wait another year and half before I go back this time.

    (5)
  • Alex S.

    Great food and wine list is extensive. Bourbon ribeye is a must have if they are doing it. Also the lobster mashed potatoes are a sure thing. Great for a date night or trying to win a client over. Expensive, but worth making it an annual anniversary visit or valentine's day.

    (4)
  • Gregg S.

    This was my first trip to Eddie's. We live in the south of Indy so the restaurant is really not convenient for us to visit, especially for dinner and facing an 1.5 hour drive home, but we had a gift certificate from a friend so we decided to give it a try after some Xmas shopping. Reasonable wine selection, but no Oregon Pinot's, what is with that. The price points on the wine were aggressive, at least in my mind, since I am familiar with some of the retail prices (maybe a Carmel surtax to pay for the Palladium). For a variety of reasons I think subconsciously we were not in the mood to experiment and stuck with the standard steakhouse fare. The Chopped Salad was very good with some interesting twist in the ingredients. My wife's salmon was only warm when served and absent the fingerling potatoes (she pays attention to the sides). When she pointed out the error, the waiter explained there were usually only a few slices of potato, "more of a garnish"; wrong answer. They did immediately take it back and reheat it, when they returned, voila, fingerling potatoes all round. They were absent from one of our guest's plates as well, but she didn't care. After all that, my wife rated the salmon only fair. Using a formula of food ( 3.5), service (5) and ambience (4), too many hard surface and thus a bit noisy, Eddie's came in at 3.65. I always round up on a first visit. I should comment on service. Apparently, our waiter was tied up elsewhere in the restaurant for a while. Shortly after our arrival a manager should up to inform us of this. Not long after a second manager showed up to see if he had appeared and if everything was okay. When we informed him he had yet to appear the manager stepped in, fetched the wine and took our orders to keep our evening flowing smoothly. When the waiter did appear he was apologetic and duly attentive thereafter. The way it should be done be so often isn't. So would I return? Only under unique circumstances, just not enough there to offset the pain of the commute.

    (4)
  • Thom E.

    The Farm to Fork menu is delicious. The fried green tomatoes are especially well prepared and presented. It is great to see Eddie Merlots finally start using locally sourced ingredients...if only they would make it a standard part of how they do business.

    (4)
  • Lori H.

    Really had an amazing time here! I went with a group of about 20 and received fantastic service from our waiter George. I ordered the twin lobster tails and they were absolutely amazing. My boyfriend ordered the filet (I want to say 16oz) it was massive and extremely tasty. Yes, the price is up there, but honestly I cannot believe this place has lower reviews than Ruth Chris. You can get a $50 steak at either place, but at Eddie Merlots you are getting an amazing filet vs. a huge piece of steak where you are cutting the fat off. Also, I have a gluten allergy and Eddie Merlot's was great about taking care of it, without making a scene. I love when places are attentive, but when I'm in a large group I hate when waiters yell out, so who's the one with the allergy. My only complaint (which almost made me rate this place 4 stars) would be that the bus boy literally stole my plate (with half of one of my lobster tails still on it) right out from under me while I was talking with the group. When he returned I let him know this and he could have cared less. That has only ever happened to me one other time, I think at Outback, and they went and made me new food to take home. If I wasn't in a large group I might have made a bigger deal about it. I had a few Captain and Cokes in me too so that guy taking my lobster really put me in a bad mood, but my boyfriend calmed me down and the delicious dessert options kept me from getting too upset. All in all I would absolutely recommend Eddie Merlot's, I would definitely suggest getting the twin lobster tails and my boyfriend and I are planning on going back on our anniversary!

    (5)
  • Kasey J.

    Eddie Merlot's is an incredible spot for special occasions. I've gone here a couple times to celebrate special days with special friends ... birthdays and anniversaries. The portions are huge, so it's great to have a big group to share. The beef is U.S.D.A. prime--the best of the best--and you can taste why. So juicy. Absolutely perfect every time. Here's what we get almost every time we go ... try it and you won't be let down. It's not often you'll leave a restaurant this pleased. Start with the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. If you're with a group, get a few orders of this and the crab cakes. For an entree, I usually get the 8 oz. filet mignon, which at $28.95 seems overly expensive ... but wait till you take your first bite. You'll want to hug the chef. But hold off hugging just yet. Take a bite of the LOBSTER MASHED POTATOES ... unlike anything you've ever had, guaranteed. AND ... don't stop yet ... leave room for the bananas foster or chocolate cake. NOW you can hug the chef. And the waiter. And the bartender ... NOTE: Eddie Merlot's is a chain, but you wouldn't know it by the service and the attention to detail. It's a bit pricey, as I said, but just as good as other popular chain steakhouses (such as Ruth's Chris). And the wine selection includes almost anything you can think of. Very, very impressive.

    (5)
  • Sarah S.

    Quite the swanky ambiance for a chain restaurant! Eddie Merlot's really is well done, from the decor to the wine to the food. I came here for my mother's birthday one time and it was much better than what I'd expected. My boyfriend-of-the-time had the peppercorn steak, which was melt-in-your-mouth and absolutely amazing. I had the shrimp stuffed with lobster and blue cheese, I think, and while they were good, they weren't quite on the level of the steak. It is a steakhouse, after all. They do have a coatcheck and valet parking, and the thick marble pillars, spacious dining rooms and gleaming china make this place feel very luxurious. A good choice for a special occasion.

    (4)
  • bobbi b.

    We had planned a date night with dinner and a movie. Unfortunately, even though we had a reservation, we waited for 45 minutes. The wait staff was completely overwhelmed--- we know, because they repeatedly told us this fact. Our steaks were mediocre - warm but not hot and not a superior cut, something you would expect for the price.

    (2)
  • Misse D.

    My in-laws took us to dinner here on a Saturday night when we were down for a visit. I really enjoyed Eddie Merlot's. For an appetizer, we ordered the stuff shrimp. My mouth is still watering. For my next visit, I am having those as my entree. Everyone enjoyed their main course. My ahi tuna was good-- but the portions were gigantic! I could have easily split it. We skipped dessert but enjoyed a couple of bottles of a great red wine. I really enjoyed my meal. I hope to be back. Yup, that's a hint to my dear in-laws.

    (4)
  • Dave E.

    Had the Spring Prix Fixe dinner Sunday night. Greatly enjoyed the panko crusted Ahi tuna appetizer. The flat iron steak was done just to my liking, cool on the inside and seared and blackened on the outside. The best part of the meal was the half-price bottles of wine on Sunday! A bottle for the price of 2 glasses. We had an Oregon Pinot Gris with the appetizers and a Bordeaux with the entree and took home what was left of the two bottles. All in all a lovely experience at Edie Merlot's.

    (5)
  • Robert B.

    OMG this place truly is horrible! Especially since they have denounced cigars at the bar!!!! Let's begin..... Carpaccio, one of my all time favorites decimated by Eddies. Watery flavorless. C'mon man do something... The place is great the food is just, well OK at best. Carpaccio was done correctly (according to me of course) at Ruth's Chris on the North Side. They have since removed that from their menu. Heartbreak I tell you. So I tried it at Eddies. Bad choice, flavorless watery, kind of like a frozen piece of meat defrosted on the plate. Then I had the NY Strip with the blue cheese and bacon crust. Wow let me tell you, if this was prime NY Strip, I would hate to taste what they consider choice!! The steak was just marginally fair!!! Almost overwhelmed by the huge ( almost as thick as the steak itself) crust of bacon and blue cheese. This steak is definitely eclipsed by the NY Strip at the nearby Ruth's Chris. It had no flavor. Honestly with a meal like this it makes me wonder, How do they stay in business with such other honest to goodness steak houses in town. I wish I could say, "try the fish" but my wife got the salmon, which came out over cooked the first time and undercooked the second time!!!! Not a big fan at all. Sorry Eddies you fall way short of expectations. Been there before and got the bone in ribeye which is supposed to be there signature dish. It fell way beneath the mark as well. If I'm gonna spend $200 on dinner it better be good and Eddie Merlots just isn't!! The only reason for the second star is that the Valet guy was extremely nice and we had a nice discussion on which of the big luxury sedans he prefers to drive!!

    (2)
  • Tami H.

    I loooove this place! So nice with great service and food. Banana foster was best dessert I've had ever!! Before that wad banana cream pie at Emeril's. This place is sooooo worth going to!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Upscale
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Eddie Merlot’s

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