Discover Walla Walla

When I heard they'd sold Merchants I was horrified. The iconic deli/bakery was a favourite across the valley, and no one who went to their memorable Wednesday Spaghetti Night ever missed it again if they could help it. While shopping downtown, it was a great place to stop in for a breather with a bagel and an iced tea. Some friends of mine went every Tuesday and alternated who paid; they bought a large loaf of whatever bread looked good that week and a chunk of cheese they'd never tried before.

If nothing else, the most unique and notable thing about Merchants was their order-call system. Upon placing your order, you were given a playing card, the face value of which was written on your ticket. When your meal was ready, they'd call out your card - "Jack of Spades!" "Nine of Hearts!" - and you'd motion them to your table.

About a month ago the "new" restaurant opened. Thirty-four-year-old Merchants was no longer; it had been replaced with the Olive Marketplace and Café. And last week, I finally got a chance to check it out.

 

Upon entering the restaurant things don't look much different. There's still the same food display cases with enticing items calling your name, still the same chalkboard menu hung behind the counter and still plenty of seating upstairs and down. The atmosphere is much the same, though perhaps a tad classier.

The difference is in the new paint job and lighting, making it brighter and cleaner-looking, a new kitchen, adding pizzazz and shine, new restrooms, which are both unisex (hooray for no line-waiting!), and the addition of a couple of study or chatting nooks with beautiful leather armchairs.

How was the food, you ask? Let's just say that if everything is as tasty as their Margharita Pizza, I'll be frequenting the Olive Marketplace and Café as often as possible.