Merchants NY Cafe: Don’t judge Merchants NY East by its bland outer walls. Inside, this two-level dining room and cigar lounge offers two sleek yet distinct atmospheres. On the top level, patrons enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in the glossy, chic dining room and lounge area, while the downstairs cigar room heats up with live jazz on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and DJs Thursday through Saturday. A decidedly downtown vibe helps to diversify the crowd, although there remains a strong contingent of white-bread Upper East Siders. Selections from Merchants’ upscale New American cuisine and drink menus are typically pricey; entrées average around $20, while drinks like the popular watermelon martini, made with fresh pureed watermelon, go for $10. |
