The Merlin

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• Average price 2 courses:
   £8 (lunch)
   £12 (evening meal)
• House wine: £9.70 per bottle

• High point: Monday evening two-for-one offer on most main courses
• Low point: Menu is a bit hit and miss
• Food served: Mon-Sun noon-10pm
• Bar open: Mon-Thu 11am-midnight; Fri/Sat 11am-1am; Sun noon-midnight
• Private dining: 120 (buffe
• Open since: 2001
• Also offers: Wheelchair access

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is taken from the 2007 edition.

With bold patterned wallpaper, gilt frames and a blazing fireplace adorned with a dramatic stag's head, this expansive dining and drinking space is frequented by a mixed crowd of Morningside locals. Food is served from noon onwards, all day, every day, with a roast dinner on Sundays. All the standard pub grub is here, from snacks to accompany a pint, to more hefty main courses of fish and chips, steak, sausage and mash, burgers, salads and jacket potatoes. The lamb skewer starter is nicely cooked but lacking in the advertised spice. The mini gammon joint glazed with brown sugar and served with a fried egg sounds good, but is dry, as if cooked too long. Although it seems strange that such a large menu would contain so few vegetarian options, the Quorn, spinach and rocket pasta is a good bet. The apple pie is the perfect way to round off your meal, especially when accompanied by rich Cornish ice-cream. The service is consistently attentive, even in busy periods. This place also offers the opportunity to enjoy the extensive wine list in a relaxed atmosphere or tax your brain in the popular Sunday night quiz.