In late April, we reported that celebrity chef John DeLucie would open the doors to his first upstate venture, Merchants Social in Hudson, by Memorial Day weekend. But in pandemic times, delayed openings have become as prevalent as at-home antigen testing—the rule not the exception.
But the wait is finally over. On August 30, Merchants Social celebrated its grand opening in the former Ca' Mea space at the corner of Warren Street and City Hall Place with a flurry of oysters and farm-fresh dishes showcasing late-summer bounty.
DeLucie, whose CV includes Lumaca, Empire Diner, Bedford & Co., Ainslie, and a handful of other restaurants, set out to create a concept that would fully take advantage of Hudson’s proximity to the agricultural source. With executive chef Kevin Rubis, most recently of Hutton Brickyards, Merchants Social specializes in hyperlocal fare using the area’s produce and meats, plus a Northeast-sourced raw bar. The team is rounded out by GM and partner Jaime Donato, formerly of Zak Pelaccio's legendary though now-closed Fish & Game.
Don’t look for traces of the old Ca’ Mea space when you step inside. Following a gut reno, the location was completely reenvisioned with three distinct spaces for dining and drinking. Inside blue floors bring in a coastal vibe that re The makeover opened up the indoor space and doubled the size of the patio.
The front room, with its blue floor, invokes coastal vibes that pair nicely with the raw bar. In the back, a separate formal dining room is connected to the open kitchen. Outside, an ample, sun-drenched courtyard offers romantic al-fresco seating for 74.
Sidle up to the bar for briney goodness. Order oysters individually ($2.50) or by the dozen ($28). A classic shrimp cocktail is on offer as well as countneck clams ($2 a pop or $22 for 12). The lobster ceviche is the height of indulgence, served with coconut lime, jalapeño, and basil ($20), but it maybe outshined by the scallop crudo, served with lemon, fennel oil, cherry tomato, and castelvetrano olives ($25). Want a mix for the table? Depending on your group size and budget, pick from the sampler ($70) or the Grand Selection ($105).
If you didn't come for a taste of the Atlantic, the inland dishes shine on their own. Local cheese board options are from Hudson-based provisions mecca Talbott & Arding. The full menu is a mere 12 dishes, ranging from the simplest, bread and (green garlic) butter ($7), to the most extravagant, ribeye and marrow ($48), served with celeriac, bitter greens, pickled celery, and marrow butter ($48).
The current menu features the requisite Hudson Valley Steelhead trout dish ($27), served here with roasted carrot and carrot tops, harissa, and chimichurri, and the roasted chicken ($28), two dishes that have become the hallmarks of upscale upstate dining. Less expected options include a take on Slovakian egg-and-cabbage dish haluski, prepared at Merchants with egg noodles, corned beef tongue, braised cabbage, pickled mustard seed, and caraway crumb ($17).
A Spanish octopus dish delights with accompaniments of sweet pepper, crispy potatoes, salsa verde, and olives ($18). For the vegetarians, the cilantro cavatelli offers a flavor-packed pasta main with roasted eggplant for umami, coconut miso, fried tofu, and chili crisp ($26).
Walk-ins are welcome at the bar but reservations are recommended for the dining room and patio. Merchants Social is now open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner 5-10pm.
