Merlo's

We came for the first time on a Wednesday evening. We sat outside because the weather was decent, the only issue was the cars are parked so close to the tables, that if someone has just pulled into the parking spot, the heat emanates from their car right onto your chair. Wish the tables were a little bit further away, or maybe along the wall, anyway, that was probably the only issue with the tables outside.The menu is extensive, with a wide variety of dishes.My better half got the pork chop, which was pounded thin yet still on the bone. It had a very nicely seasoned breading with lots of garlic and a few herbs. It also had three or four fresh cayenne peppers, which were sautéed with a butter type sauce and poured over the pork chop. It was nicely spicy with very good flavor. My entrée was the chicken Milanese, which was virtually identical in preparation as the pork chop, except obviously no bone, and no peppers or spicy butter sauce and was served with an arugula salad, which was delicious. Our two table mates got salads, one with grilled chicken, which was nice and warm and the other with shrimp. We also shared an order of the sautéed broccoli. It was amazing! It had nicely crisped and toasted garlic pieces, some lemon and olive oil. It was one of the most delicious broccoli side dishes I've had at a restaurant.Even though I took a pass on dessert, they ordered the cannoli which came two to an order. Am going to have to say that the cannoli shell itself was not very good. I tasted a tiny piece of it, and it seemed to have a little stale/refrigerator flavor and was not crisp or fresh tasting. That was the least favorite part of the meal. Everything else was delicious.Service was solid and there were a decent variety of wines by the glass available.We will definitely return to try other dishes that sounded great!

We were in the area for Lightscapes at Chicago Botanical Garden and wanted a nice dinner beforehand to celebrate the Holidays. Merlo's did not disappoint! The ambiance was wonderful and J particularly enjoyed it being a small restaurant. The food was amazing and the proportions were large enough to share plates. The service was a little slow (we were not in a hurry, so it wasn't a bother), but our server was very friendly. We'll definitely be back when in the area again!

I'm thrilled we have a new restaurant within walking distance to our house. We were fans of the other Merlo's back in the day so excited to see one in Glencoe. We met friends here for an earlyish Saturday evening dinner and it was quite busy. I expected the service to be somewhat slow based on the crowds and it being a new restaurant, but the staff was very attentive and everything came out very fast.We started with much needed cocktails (vodka martini for me) and a variety of appetizers. They were all great, but the eggplant stack was the clear winner. One of my dining companions enjoyed it so much she ordered the eggplant parm for dinner, which looked big enough to feed the entire table.I ordered the salmon for my entree. It was a little under cooked for my liking, but I would order it again and next time specify I like it medium/well done. My husband got the halibut, which he was underwhelmed with. And our 4th dining companion got gluten free pasta which looked so good that my husband mentioned several times after dinner that he should have gone the pasta route. Next time!If there's tiramisu on the menu there's a good chance we're ordering it and it lived up to the hype. Overall, it was a fun and delicious meal and I"m sure the first of many meals for us at Merlo's! Welcome to the neighborhood!

Everything was perfect! The food and the service was a 10 out of 10. The ambiance was great as well. I am definitely coming back

So happy to have this beautiful, delicious restaurant in our town. We came with a few friends before seeing a show at Writers Theatre and it was perfect. Great cocktails, attentive service, yummy food and great ambiance.

Merlo's has a very nice looking little restaurant in Glencoe. I doubt, however, that I will visit it very often. The food is OK, not special. The menu is somewhat limited, but they may have specials. However, they give you a major screwing on liquor on the rocks. I had a Tito's on the rocks. The glass was filled to the brim with small ice cubes, which left very little room for air, or liquor--very little. It was a short drink. I was then shocked when the tab came and there was a $2 charge for the ice. I don't like to be ripped off.

Very disappointed with the experience. Waiter took forever to visit our table after being seated and appeared very disinterested in serving us. He never asked if he wanted something to drink or if we were ready to order, and he seemed surprised when we said we wanted to order drinks after the second visit to our table. Getting refills was a hassle. We had to flag him down multiple times, including asking for the dessert menu. Wait staff needs better training.We were quite disappointed in the food quality. I didn't even finish my entree because of how disappointed I was. This place needs a new chef who better understands how to make great Italian food.Will not return.

Excellent food and service make this restaurant perfect choice if you are looking for a charming snd quaint environment where you can dine in a perfect surrounding that is conversation friendly. Five stars all the way!

Went last night to Merlo's in Glencoe in late dinner with my son after the playoffs. We were traveling from out of town and took a chance on Merlo's especially since it appeared to be open on the later side. I made a reservation online for its latest slot and we arrived about 7 minutes early. I could see only 4 other tables seated who looked like they were almost done with their meals but we were greeted in a friendly way at the door with"we were waiting for you" and our reservation honor. We were shown to a window table with was half booth and in a corner which I love. The rest of the atmosphere inside had dark wood chairs and tablecloth & paper cloth coverings and in the back medium-sized bar-- think old-southern euro-chic. I was told they had the TVs on with the game earlier in the evening but by the time we came, they were not only off, I could barely see the TVs. It was perfectly calm and quiet in the place but I know from the lack of reservation times that it had been hopping beforehand. The waiter Ryan was great --Just enough attention without being bothersome and no attitude when asking questions. I especially liked that there was no sense of running us out of there as I learned the kitchen was closing soon. We ordered Orecchiette pasta dish with Italian sausage and Milanese chicken with the arugula salad and Tiramisu and Chocolate cake w vanilla gelato for dessert and both of us agreed everything was scrumptiously delicious. Good selection on wine. I even had the option of a sweet wine which is rare to have. I see there are reviews about it being too loud but I think it might be best to go when there are less crowds, like later in the night or off evenings because the experience was very, very nice. I would recommend highly.

I just went to this restaurant which I've been to before and unfortunately had a terrible experience. I ordered the meatball salad and asked the waiter if there was cheese on it and he told me no my meal that arrived with meatballs covered in cheese and unfortunately I had to send it back, the waiters attitude clearly was annoyance and lack of accountability. After quite some time I then got my order again, and this time the meatballs were frozen the waiter, then who clearly did not even hear what I had to say, offered me a free dessert of ice cream, which I reminded him again I cannot eat dairy, I will not go back