Housed in a restored brick building amid the rowdy bars of lower Broadway, Merchants is a favorite power-lunch spot downtown. The restaurant’s first floor is a casual, comfort-food bistro that features burgers, salads, and sandwiches, while upstairs is a more formal dining room that emphasizes seasonal fine dining. A meal at Merchants might begin with baked pimento cheese or fried green tomatoes, and move into a tuna sashimi salad, crawfish gumbo, or bone-in pork chop. These days, the place is always slammed, so make a reservation via OpenTable and, if you’re going for dinner, specify whether you’d prefer the bistro or second floor in the comments. Personally, I’d suggest the bistro for either meal. If you’re going to be on Broadway, you might as well enjoy the madness from the safety of the lovely marble bar with a cold drink in your hand.