Morandi

My friend and I entered because we were wandering around the village on a cold rainy Monday night and it was the only restaurant that seemed busy. We thought it was a good sign and it was. We entered and were immediately blinded by the beautiful people and celebrities animatedly eating and being seen. A bit hesitant about entering but the Maitre'D was very welcoming and warm and assured us the table wait would be around 20 minutes. 20 minutes turned into 30 and we were getting ready to leave when she asked us to wait 5 more minutes and a table would be free. Most tables seemed to linger. We had the olives stuffed with sausage, to start, which was nice and crispy. The waitress recommened a delicious white wine to go with my lemon chicken dish and my friends pasta and broccoli di rape (which was a little mushy). Both dishes for the most part were nicely prepared and flavorful. Dessert was a creamy chocolate and cherry dish, complemented by another delicious fruity dessert wine recommended again by the waitress. A plate of tiramisu was offered for our extended table wait. The maitre'd and the waitstaff frequently stopped by our table to ask how everything was, though it did not feel like hovering, The difference with Morandi and other "quality" restaurants is that they give excellent personal service and that it has a great animated atmosphere. For the food it serves and the neighborhood it's in, the prices are about right. Though nothing to rave about, I've had less quality for a steeper price in NYC. I feel it has come to the point in NYC that to get a really good meal you have to spend mega buck, unfortunately (dinner prices are more about covering rent and expenses than the food). I'd rather pay alot for decent food, excellent service and atmosphere than pay top price for mediocre food and waitstaff snobbery and bad attitude. Go for the experience and atmosphere and enjoy the wine and you'll get your money's worth.

If you want to eat pasta you can make at home, head over to Morandi. The portions were tiny as well. The fish tasted good, and the appetizers were fair. Steer clear of the spinach as it is more like a bowl of butter with some spinach in it. The atmoshphere is fun, but not enough to offset the disappointing food with prices that were too high a price to pay for such mediocre fare.

The restaurant has a horrible and inefficient reservation and seating system, but when you're the hot restaurant in town, these types of things tend to fall through the cracks. The food was fantastic. Not the best I've had in the city but certainly worth it for a good meal. Great wine list. Fantastic ambience. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!

You forget that you are in New York City and feel as if you are at a wonderful out door restaurant in Europe. The ambiance outside is awesome and inside as well. I happen to like sitting outside just for the entertainment value alone. Everything else is a plus plus! Food is excellent! I love seeing the celebs as well...makes it a very special place!

Two of my friends and I did not have a reservation, nevertheless, we waited for 50 min after being told 45. I went to check on our status. While watching young buisiness men pull up in a ferrari and walk right in and be seated, I was chided to the point of embarassment for thinking it was okay to ask when our table would be ready. The hostess responded, "I told you 45 min and now I'm telling you 15 min more okay?" When we were finally seated and 30 min later, we had to ask a busboy to send over a waiter so we could at least order drinks. After about an hour of our waitress forgetting our drinks and bread, our pasta arrived. The food was actually great compared to the service, but it would have been better with the drinks we ordered. After having to raise my voice out of frusteration, the drinks arrived more than halfway into our meal. Though our waitress described the zabaglione sauce as whipped cream, it was exceptional. The restaurant was overcrowded and our table was oddly placed making me feel as though my head was always blocking the couple at the next table. For a meal that cost $130 for three people, it was truthfully not worth the effort.

Where should I begin? The faux decor is reminiscent of a Disney ride; the service was decidedly below average; the cramped seating was like being on a transcontinental flight; and the food was very mediocre in a mass-market type of way. Is there anything good to report? Hmmmm. Well, the minetrone soup and salad were the best part of our stay; the pasta was probably better than what is being served at the Olive Garden up in Times Square; we missed the Jack Sparrow impersonator. Within six months the tour buses will clog Waverly and Morandi's coffers will run full with travelers checks, but not the cold hard credit card receipts of real New Yorks.

I really don't understand the bad reviews. I've been to Morandi at least a dozen times, and have always been happy-- sometimes even thrilled-- with my brunch or dinner. Make a reservation (off-hours are always best), arrive on time, and enjoy your meal. Morandi is not a theme park, cookie cutter restaurant. Drop the attitude, go, enjoy!