Since August, the San Francisco tasting-menu restaurant Merchant Roots has tried something rare in fine dining. On the first Tuesday of each month, diners choose what to pay for the menu, which normally costs $238, Eater SF reported.
Why chef Ryan Shelton did it
Chef Ryan Shelton told Eater he took the idea from Masala y Maiz, the Mexico City restaurant run by Saqib Keval and Norma Listman. He said he wants to keep the pay-what-you-want nights going "forever." Most of the guests so far have been people who had eaten there before, Eater reported. Wine is still charged at regular prices.
Eater says the restaurant released more pay-what-you-want reservations on Tock on Oct. 7, covering February through June 2027.
How Merchant Roots works
The restaurant's website says it serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Its menus are themed and change every three months.
Nov. 3 is the first Tuesday of November, which is Election Day. Check Tock for current availability before planning on a table.