Osteria Morini - New YorkMixed, But Food Is GreatThe taste, presentation and prompt delivery of the food, more than offset the server w/ attitude (altho he DID know his product) & the woman at adjoining table w/ loud piercing voice and raucous laugh. We had the prix fix tasting menu and my seafood salad was Wonderful; ravioli stuffed w/ ricotta & stuffed octopus were all winners... olive oil cake for dessert was surprisingly good too. Making me pay for the 2nd cup of coffee (even came back w/ adjusted check!) was a bit of a surprise, but... I did like the place enuf to want to go back and try their Brunch or even try to get there at lunch time and hope for a server w/ less attitude & more willing to pay some attention to his tables.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFoodWe ordered the crostini, polenta and salad. And everything was oustanding. The seasonal beer was excelent and the peach bellini it was the best I had ever tried.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOsteria Morini tries to duplicateOsteria Morini tries to duplicate the experience of a trattoria in Emilia-Romagna, and for the most part it succeeds. Dishes range from good to outstanding, and the restaurant's often unfamiliar wines are interesting. At night, the chatter of diners can be so loud that you may have trouble hearing dinner companions. But excellent food redeems the din.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing pastas!Went for a Friday lunch at Morini; it was quiet when we arrived at noon, but quickly filled in. We had a selection of 3 crostini; the lamb crudo, and fava & pea were both excellent; the parmigiano was slightly too salty. Also had the grilled octopus which was cooked perfectly. The pastas, however, were the star of the show. The 'Creste' with shrimp & sepia ragu was absolutely killer and the 'Cappelletti' was also delicious. Can't say enough about the quality of the pastas. We are already looking forward to our next visit.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat FindAmong the many many Italian restaurants in NYC - this is a very good find. Some reviews complain of service but we found it relaxed and well paced to our desires. The food was outstanding as was the wine and bothe reasonably priced - a definate repeat5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe tortellini dumpling soupThe tortellini dumpling soup was amazing, as was the melted cheese & hazelnut appetizer. The pasta's are a must! Thoroughly enjoyed the meal, ambiance & evening.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing pastaWe tried four different pastas and each one seemed to be better than the last4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMScottStamfordThis is a great place. The wine is all Italian and very good. We decided to eat at the bar rather than get a table and it worked out fine. The menu is varied and the food was excellent as was the service. You have to have a reservation unless you can find a seat the bar which is possible but unlikely as the night goes on.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent meal! The serviceExcellent meal! The service was great and the food was perfect. Impressive charcuterie and cheeses. Great pastas as to be expected. Will definitely return.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food here was fantastic.The food here was fantastic. Subtle, creative, fresh - really outstanding.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is definitely my newThis is definitely my new Go-To restaurant. The food is absolutely amazing, as is the wonderful service.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat pasta, of course. VeryGreat pasta, of course. Very good wine selection. We had a delicious meal—fresh, flavorful and unpretentious.
Noise level is loud. And the heights of the tables and chairs felt a little mismatched. It seemed like the chairs could've been an inch higher and the table an inch shorter for more comfortable dining.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was outstanding ...topFood was outstanding ...top 3 Italians in the NYC.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my new favorite restaurantThis is my new favorite restaurant in the city. The food is unique, prepared and presented well, and ultimately delicious. They really shine with their specialty cocktails, and their bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend this place if you love excellent food, spirits and company!4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDistracted hostess on thisDistracted hostess on this visit.
There was one table (of four) in the dining room when we arrived. She sat us directly behind them on a banquette. We asked to move down a few banquettes since it felt cramped. A minute or two later, she put another group of four (with two small children) directly behind us again!
We then asked to move to the bar since it felt very claustrophobic . When we indicted that she put the second group there she said she "hadn't noticed". There were only three tables occupied in the whole place! I thought a hostess was supposed to notice things like where she seats guests.
After we settled in, the food was great as always with excellent service. And I would definitely sit in the bar again.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOur table was waiting forOur table was waiting for us upon arrival. Very good maitre d and service. Fun ambiance. Too loud for us however. Hard to hear. Food good but not fabulous.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThoroughly enjoyed the eveningThoroughly enjoyed the evening although we had to wait 30 minutes for our table and it was very cramped just standing waiting. However they did apologise profusely. Would go back. Staff very good and friendly.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful!!!Mangiare italiano, anzi Romagnolo, anzi Imolese a New York non ha prezzo!!4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGot a gift certificate forGot a gift certificate for a gift so I was a real treat. Would return again even without a gif cetificate.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMPretentious, no. Delicious, yes.Casual atmosphere make for a great, relaxed date night for when you want to get great food but don't want to get too fancy. Also, must get dessert. In fact, get several and share.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is the real deal.This place is the real deal. I lived in Italy for two years. It was outstanding from service on. Run to it!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe LOVED this restaurant...everythiWe LOVED this restaurant...everything about it. The wait staff was fantastic, the food was just wonderful, the ambiance was energetic and fun with great people watching possibilities. A minor critique??? The menu...could use a little more "explaining". I had to ask a lot of questions before I knew what I wanted. The names of pastas, sauce description etc. was unclear. But out waiter was great...didn't mind spending time with us while we asked questions. And your house red was great....soft, dry with just the right amount of fruity. It seemed very "European"...like a wine you would have at home for lunch or dinner. Thank you for a wonderful experience. When we come back to NYC...we will definitely come back for a meal!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMCouldn't really understandCouldn't really understand all the words on the menu, but who cares? The food was fantastic! I'd go back again in a heartbeat.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellent, a niceFood was excellent, a nice selection of wines and service attentive but not overly so. Although we did not have children with us, it is clearly a family friendly setting, at least during the lunch period. Definetely plan to return.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific pastas and grilledTerrific pastas and grilled meats in a casual downtown environment. You cannot go wrong with the food - it is all so tasty. Order a lot of plates and have a fantastic evening!!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways produces some greatAlways produces some great food, although I was a little underwhelmed by the selection of 'vegetarian' food? There are a few options but they were just okay - it might be good if Osteria could think of some more exciting dishes. Saying that, I always LOVE coming here.
We did call that day to find out if we could add an extra chair to our reservation as we had someone from out of town we wanted to bring, but they couldn't accommodate. Not their fault I guess? Great restaurant and very lively.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the food and service.Loved the food and service. Wished the chair was a little wider for comfort sake. Will certainly go back.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMLOVED! Was very tempted toLOVED! Was very tempted to order everything on the menu. Already planning my next meal there.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful lunch atWe had a wonderful lunch at Osteria Morini. The staff made us feel welcome, and the service was attentive. But the star of the show was the wonderful meatball appetizer!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is outstanding andThe food is outstanding and very different and creative. An excellent meal.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent andThe food was excellent and service was warm and friendly. It's a lovely dining experience and my party would go back again.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMMorini is one of my favoriteMorini is one of my favorite places to meet friends who like delicious food. It's a true Osteria, very welcoming and rustic. I highly recommend!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSpectacular. Hope I'll beSpectacular. Hope I'll be able to order something other than the stunning cappelletti.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were excellent.Food and service were excellent. My adult daughter's order was not what she expected and they offered her something else immediately no questions asked. Regarding the ambiance, tables are situated too close to each other for my taste, but will not stop me from going back.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food! WOWThe not so good first - unfortunately we had a 4 week wait to have dinner here, which I think is ridiculous but it is NYC. One of my pet hates is a people eating at the bar espcially if we have to wait for a table. Make a place for people to stand and have a drink while they wait. If you want to have people eating at the bar, seperate that out. We were standing in the door way with our drink....
The good - the food here is aswesome and justifies the long wait to get a table here. Some of the best meatballs ever, and there is a good range of wine. OUr service was pretty good. We will definately go back - if we can get a table :)2/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a wonderful casualThis is a wonderful casual restaurant with outstanding food, helpful staff, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We all enjoyed our lunch and will return soon.1/28/2013 12:00:00 AMAt Osteria Morini, the foodAt Osteria Morini, the food is just as terrific as at Marea and Ai Fiori, chef Michael White's other local restaurants where prices are substantially higher and the service is more elegant. But unless you need pretension, Osteria Morini is sensational, serving glorious food in a casual ambiance. Note that when it's crowded (most evenings), the noise level creates difficulty conversing at a table for four or more and hearing the servers' descriptions of specials. The decibel level is Osteria Morini's only drawback, but it's also part of the excitement.1/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a gem!!! Very hardThis is a gem!!! Very hard to get a reservation but when you do you will be in for a treat. Amazing food. Had the rabbit. Was out of this world. Service is friendly and professional and we will be back again and again!!!12/24/2012 12:00:00 AMRecently had my fourth mealRecently had my fourth meal at Osteria Morini, and I'm eager to return for my fifth. What a great restaurant. Food, service, conviviality, all blend comfortably with the rustic decor. Osteria Morini is crowded and noisy, and too casual for a formal occasion, but it has become one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. Its cuisine is terrific.12/15/2012 12:00:00 AM