Dining out can be a challenge if you are trying to cut down or eat healthy. There are plenty of restaurants out there catering for healthier food but finding somewhere that can cater for lighter dishes whilst keeping everyone happy can be difficult. The Merlin in Alderley Edge have you sorted.
The Merlin are part of the same group of restaurants as The Midland in Marple Bridge and The Rams Head in Disley, so you can expect gastro pub style with a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy some food and drinks with friends.
I can highly recommend the Massaman Chicken Skewers, in fact my Mum ordered them when we visited The Rams Head so I knew what to expect and made sure I grabbed the sharing plate as it went passed me so I didn’t miss out! The chicken is really soft and tender with a drizzle of creamy massaman sauce and scattered with pomegranate seeds for a pop of fruit.
The rest of the food served was vegan and I was ready to dodge the mushrooms as the majority of vegan dishes I come across contain them! I was pleasantly surprised to see not a mushroom in sight and I would happily order this delicious Nourish Bowl in the future. It is almost like a mezze platter with falafel, roasted butternut squash, crispy chickpeas, pickled rainbow vegetables and avocado topped with baby spinach and a slow roasted tomato dip. The whole thing is served with soft tortilla to either pile into a wrap or scoop up those delicious dips. I loved the sweetness that came out of the tomato dip so much. You can also have it with added tofu so I’ll be ordering it next time I visit to see how it adds to or changes the dish.
The Spiced Coconut Curry was so good I literally got the smallest spoonful of sauce to try! Miso sesame aubergine and broccoli is topped with a lightly spiced curry and a scorched chilli, meaning you can add more heat if that is what you prefer. It really doesn’t miss the meat, which is quite a statement coming from me considering I don’t normally like aubergine!
Finally we tried the Mediterranean Mezze Flatbread; a humous base with roasted chickpeas, Greek style salad, seeds and avocado. That humous base is absolutely genius with added crunch from the chickpeas and seeds. It is such a delicious combination, I think the pomegranate would have been a lovely addition to make it perfect.
Alongside the healthier food options, The Merlin also offer a range of low abv cocktails made with Fever Tree mixers. Drinking tonic without gin is not something I have ever done before but the Fever Tree cucumber tonic with rose bitters is so refreshing, it is perfect to quench your thirst. Something a little tarter is the Fever Tree lemon tonic with soft peach bitters. The bitters really give the tonic a touch of flavour without being too much.
We also tried a cocktail with Seedlip Grove 42, a low abv spirit which is heavy on the citrus so works really well with the Fever Tree Refreshingly Light tonic.
The Merlin has a beautiful new space outside called the Cube, which is floor to ceiling glass adorned with flowers. You can hire the space for a party or they sometimes use it as a dining space. Either way, you really need to take a look as it is the prettiest space I’ve seen in a while.
I had a lovely time at The Merlin and I’ll be back for more vegan goodies and those low abv cocktails. it means I can drive and not feel like I’m missing out. Give it a try.
I was invited to a wellness event at The Merlin and was not asked to pay.
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