Osteria Morini

We happen to stumble upon this restaurant on Unilocal and I’m happy we did. We both enjoyed our lunch dishes (cappelletti & garganelli). Small portion size, however the flavors are delightful.

I feel like every time come to NY I leave saying I had the best food of my life. I patronized many places during my weekend inspirational trip and Osteria Morini was the place where I left with that feeling in my heart.
I HAD THE BEST PASTA IN MY ENTIRE LIFE AT OSTERIA MORINI.
And since I got back home, I have been shouting it from the rooftops and telling everyone about it. I wasn’t even hungry when we stepped foot in this place. We were just looking for post-​brunch libations (YES post-​brunch libations!), but my friend wanted to eat (again). I gave the menu a side eye, unsure of if I even wanted anything. Truthfully, I just wanted some mozzarella cheese to snack on; something light. Instead, me being the glutton I am, I eyed the Garganelli for a few minutes, suspiciously interrogating the bartender about the taste and ingredients because alas! I am very, very picky. I went on ahead with it, satisfied with the description but held the radicchio as I didn’t think I would like it. I got the lunch portion, which isn’t that big so when it came out I didn’t fee so gluttonous. But WHEN I TASTED IT I regretted not ordering the large portion because that first bite was SOOOO GOOOD. Surprised, I let out a huge, satisfactory «mmmmmmmmmmmm», eyes wide open with delight and awe.
I cleaned my plate. I wanted to lick it but remembered I wasn’t five anymore. When I got home I googled the recipe. I was also delighted to find that there is an Osteria Morini in DC! Needless to say I will be getting myself there! I only hope theirs is as magnificent as their sibling’s in NY!
OH, we sat at the bar for this experience and we also had the pitcher of mimosa. It was the hibiscus one and it was pretty darn good. I chose it because it’s not flooded with juice ;-)

Two years later and nothing has changed… and that’s a good thing! Osteria Morini has definitely become one of my favorite casual places to eat in the Village. You simply can’t beat the taste of any pasta or meat dish they serve. While it may be too crowded and intimate for some people and too brazen (in terms of service) for others, if you’re interested in a great Italian meal at reasonable prices Osteria Morini fires on all cylinders!
To begin with the Salumi (cured meats) are excellent and I would frequent this place for the Prosciutto alone, which is more than excellent. Yes you will be thirsty for days after eating a pile of of it but the texture, the flavor and consumption with the toasted crostini are truly orgasmic! I just can’t get enough of it.
The Calimari presentation is unlike any other calamari with the soft shredded squid presented in a bath of polenta and the taste that is subtle yet rich in flavor. A definite favorite on the appetizer list. I am getting excited writing this thinking about how good it was!
The lamb shank for two is also excellent and a great dish for sharing. The pastas are also excellent and the selection has something for everyone. The service from both the front hostess to the wait staff has always been excellent, or at least for 3 or my 4 visits (every place can have a hostess with one bad night :-). This will be one of my most recommended Italian restaurants in NYC for those who want quality food at reasonable prices with great value and service. There should be more locations in NYC!

I came here on a Sunday for lunch, and because my friend and I arrived just when it opened, we got seated at a small table in the main dining area immediately.
We both went for the $ 28 2-​course lunch, which was a great decision. I got the polpettine (meatballs with tomato sauce) for appetizer and it was definitely some of the best meatballs I’ve had. The portion was pretty sizeable, and the meatballs went greatly with the bread served on the side. For the entrée, I got their famous cappelletti. The raviolis were excellent, but the sauce was very buttery and heavier than I would’ve liked. My friend got the Tagliatelle, which was pretty delicious but a tad too salty.
Overall, this was one of the better Italian restaurants I’ve tried in the city (along with Pisticci, L’Artusi, Max Soha, etc.), but the flavor was a bit too strong for my taste. But given the overall quality and portion of the food and the casual but homely and cozy ambiance, there is no doubt this is a great restaurant that any Italian food-​fan like myself should check out!

Best happy hour menu… oysters and clams for $ 1, SHRIMP cocktail was huge…$ 8… happy hour board (chef’s choice)…Charcuterie…OMG, the Brussels sprouts was to die for. Must try!!! Service is the excellent… ask for Christian the server… same name as my son. Lol. hours of 4−7pm… sorry this is the wrong restaurant… this review was for Ken & Cook restaurant on Kenmare St.

I don’t really enjoy when people just write,” Hey, this place is great!” I all,“What’s great? What did you have? This review is not helping me at all!”
Well, sorry, when it comes to Osteria Morini, I love this place. Everything!
Fresh pasta is the 1^st thing that comes to mind.
I usually come with people who like to share because I generally like to try as much as I can.
I’ve never had a bad dish here. If you don’t like something in particular, spinach or truffles, don’t order something with spinach or truffles, otherwise your in good hands, The staff is usually very knowledgable & friendly. So far this place is batting a 1.000, (⁶⁄₆)

A solid, super tasty pasta spot with a vibe that can please everyone: I went on a date, but could have easily brought a group of friends or my aging, complaining parents. This food is hearty if not heavy (and arguably a smidge overpriced; although pastas are $ 10 after 9pm on Mondays). Pasta plates are ample in their portioning and quite successful when it comes to evoking the approving (if not erotic) «Hmmm» with each bite.
TORCIA squid ink pasta $ 24
The seafood red sauce was a nice compliment with the other pasta. Bread crumbs and micro calamari were a nice touch; the pasta itself is unique but prepared perfectly. Sauced appriprately.
GRAMIGNA macaroni, sausage $ 21
This was probably our favorite. Just the right amount of cream and tomato, the sausage was tasty, the noodles (again) perfect.
CAPPELLETTI truffled ricotta ravioli $ 24
The fan favorite here and I get it: truffle anything will usually be devoured with great praise. It was delicate and rich at the same time. Although as my date said, this could be duplicated at home, but you’d have to be OK with melting three sticks of butter for one dish…
PETRONIANA crispy veal $ 29
Much bigger cut of meat than the pictures here seemed to indicate. The truffle cream is slathered on top of cheese and on top of prosciutto like a fancy cordon bleu. I’ve certainly had more tender cuts of veal, and though it was breaded nicely, it relied heavily on its dressing for its deliciousness. I feel like I’m being too hard on this dish. It was great; you won’t be disappointed.
Brussels Sprounts ($ 9)
The pancetta squeezed in beside the sprouts were more than welcome, although the sprouts were cooked perfectly and not at all bitter.
This place is a bit more refined than say, a Sauce or Supper, but still maintains a homemade profile. Service was good if not a bit distracted and distant. Negroni was thumbs-​up emoji.

I was tricked into coming to this restaurant by a friend who wanted to give me a late birthday dinner. Upon walking in we were greeted warmly and were seated immediately. The ambiance in the restaurant was pretty interesting, I couldn’t really put my finger on what stood out to me, so I’ll just say the combination of the photos and decorations on the walls blended nicely with the red paint and the Italian theme.
Onto the food! My friend and I just cut to the chase and ordered our pasta entrees. If I had the chance to go back in time, I would order something that would have broadened by horizons. I ordered the Cappelleti (peep the picture). It was the most flavorful pasta I had, but also the most expensive. I’m not a boojee boy and I don’t usually dine at these types of restaurants, but $ 24 for a pasta dish of this size is not my cup of tea.
The restaurant gets four stars because the staff was knowledgeable about the menu and was prompt with service (in addition to the cuisine).

4 & ½ Strong and a very functional 5 for 3 Amazing words alone; Industry Night Pasta! Monday nights, enter after 9pm and ANY of the Pasta-​God Michael Whites creations offered here are offered at the mind blowing bargain price of ten bucks! Despite the chefs celeb status and this tourist friendly location, pretty much any of the pastas here, from the creamy house specialty Garganelli, thru reinvented classics like a Tortellini en brodo, Ragu Antica with carrots and all and a decidedly more ramen-​like than usual vongole, to seasonal specials like corn and mascarpone stuffed tortelli or rigatoni with artichoke & lemon are reliably mind-​blowing homages to the art-​form.
Service has been proven to be for the most part friendly and the digs undeniably pleasant. The Monday night deal alone however, perhaps the literal epitome of the ultimate «Pro-​Tip» is the basis of this rave review, which I struggled with myself to draft out of paranoid fear that perhaps it will serve to push the general awareness of it over the edge, and wold result in it being revoked, losing yet one more of the rapidly vanishing good deals to be found in this increasingly financial metropolis. Oh, yeah and all tasty Lambrusco (chilled sparking red wines) are 25 a bottle during the deal too!

Huge fan of Michael White’s food. When I think of top notch italian food in NYC, Michael White comes to mind instantaneously. Being such a huge fan of Marea and Ai Fiori, I was so excited to try this casual, homey-​feeling place in SoHo. We started out with some cheese for the table with a bottle of wine. All of the cheese were heaven — waitress did a great job picking out a variety for us.
We ordered pastas for our entrée and shared tasting of our dishes. I ordered the CAPPELLETTI, which is truffled ricotta ravioli (I was sold on just those three words already), with melted butter and prosciutto atop. This was such a satisfying, delicious simple yet flavorful dish… it’s something you have to order every time you pay a visit here… so perfect.
One of my friends ordered the STRACCI pasta, which is a wide ribbon pasta accompanied with braised wild mushrooms and rosemary oil. Thought this was also a solid pasta dish and if I recall correctly, the only vegetarian pasta option available that does not require altercation. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and had a nice bite to it. The other pasta we tried was the SPAGHETTI ALLE VONGOLE which contains clams, leeks, white wine, calabrian chile. I thought this was a good pasta dish, but after having the Cappelletti and the Stracci, I can’t really rave about it.

Great place for dates (sit at the bar) or big groups in the dining room. The restaurant isn’t that loud, but definitely bustling and has a very social vibe about it. Then you can bounce to nearby bars to continue the night (we went on to Mother’s Ruin after… more hot toddys yummmm).
I went in a party of 6 and pretty much loved everything we ordered. If you don’t want to think about what to order, just replicate what we did. The final cost was less than $ 500 including 2 bottles of wine. That’s less than $ 100/​person which I think is fantastically reasonable.
Crostini
Smoke Trout — fishy, but in a good way. If you like tuna salad, get this. This was my favorite out of the 3
Lamb Crudo — raw
Parmigiano Gelato — creamy cheese on a piece of toast
Salumi
Prosciutto — group favorite
Sopresetta
Mortadella — I keep forgetting I’m not a huge fan of Mortadella so I would replace this with Fegatini next time. Their duck liver mouse is decadent.
Pasta (everyone loved all the pastas… the garganelli defintely went first though)
Stracci with braised wild mushrooms
Gnocchi with oxtail
Garganelli with truffle butter and prosciutto
Spallina with rabbit
Sides
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower — yum!
Mixed mushrooms
This actually wasn’t an overwhelming amount of food. They don’t dump a huge pile of pasta on you; just the right amount for you to be full after eating apps.

I booked Osteria Morini on a Friday night for a dinner with two of my coworkers. I had wanted to try this place ever since I had a not-​so-​pleasant experience at Marea, and I’m glad I tried it.
We made our reservation for 8PM and were promptly seated at 8. The restaurant was completely packed. Sadly, my first issue happened almost immediately. The tables in the middle of the room add VERY high compared to the chairs. I could tell already that I was going to be at an uncomfortable angle for the entire meal, which was weird because I rarely if ever have issues with table versus chair height.
We ordered a bottle of wine and appetizers. We started with the calamari and the meatballs.
The meal started on a very high note. The meatballs were excellent. The appetizer comes with five in a thick, sweet red marinara sauce with some toast on the side. VERY good. Order this if it’s on the menu when you go.
The calamari was also excellent but not what we expected. The description on the menu doesn’t do this dish justice. See picture for all you need to know here. Don’t expect the same breaded stuff you’d get in the frozen food aisle or at your local dive bar.
For entrees, we ordered three to split amongst us. This is how they are described on the menu:
STRACCI wide ribbon pasta, braised wild mushrooms, rosemary oil 21
GNOCCHI potato & black pepper dumplings, oxtail, crispy shallots 23
GARGANELLI pasta quills, cream, radicchio, truffle butter, prosciutto 23
The Stracci was my pick. It was just OK. I love my pasta al dente but this was almost raw pasta — very hard. The mushrooms in the dish were good though and the flavors were on point.
I didn’t want to order the gnocchi but I’m very glad we did. This was my favorite of the three entrees. The gnocchi were skillfully crafted and the dish was very solid. Another win. If we had stuck to the gnocchi and the meatballs this would have definitely been a higher review.
I was disappointed by the Garganelli. I love prosciutto and I love truffle oil, and the Garganelli reminded me of penne which I also really enjoy, but somehow this dish was one dimensional and too heavy.
My other comment would be that our server seemed to hover around our table for most of the meal. She was very nice and did nothing explicitly wrong or rude, but she was trying to up sell things very obviously to the point where we asked for dessert menus to review just to give her the satisfaction. Again, she was really nice so this wasn’t a horrible experience or anything, but it felt a little awkward.
All in all, I liked Osteria Morini. While I’m not sure if I’ll be back, I certainly wouldn’t discourage others from going.

My party of two arrived around 12:30pm on a Saturday to find the restaurant fairly empty. We were quickly seated at a table and began our meal.
We ordered:
— Burger: The burger was moist and cooked perfect to a medium rare. It had a good taste of beefiness. My only complaint is that it could have had a bit more taste and they could have served the patty on a more quality bun.
— Salmon Benedict: This dish was first aesthetically pleasing and so delicious. It came with a generous portion of three benedicts, which is unheard of. The combination of flavors was great and the hollandaise was one of the best I’ve had.
— Squid ink pasta: The pasta was the most flavorful of the dishes. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sauce was similar to a bolongnase. This was my favorite of the three dishes.
Overall, this place had great brunch options and the food was good! My only complaint is that we were seated in the middle of the dining room where my seat was constantly hit as customers and the waitstaff kept passing by.

Yummy selections of cheese and charcuterie! For two we had the 5 options for $ 33. Prosciutto, speck, duck liver (highly recommended) one soft and hard cheese. (Forgot the names) Server was helpful when picking out cheese. The soft cheese with olive oil was fantastic. We were so full of the apps that we weren’t able to get entrees. I will be back!!!

The only thing missing was a better cheese selection… I was missing the Buratta.
Fantastic pasta and drinks

Nom nom nom where do I even begin?!! Everything we had was amazing and impeccably made. Very rustic vibes and good services as well.
The cheese and cured meat were incredible. We had vbc Cremont soft cheese with speck, finocchiona, prosciutto di Parma, ciccioli and terrina.
One thing so great about this place is they have a $ 10 pasta deal on Monday nights after 9pm. Michael White’s pasta for $ 10??? I still can’t believe it. Marea and Ai Fiori are two of my favorite restaurants in the city, and osteria Morini is the casual cool affordable version of marea for sure.
So I had the torcia, which is the squid ink pasta with seafood. My personal favorite. The pasta itself is impeccable and the seafood is very fresh with just right cooking– the whole dish is very flavorful. We also had the tagliatelle which I thought was a bit salty. I had some of my friend’s cappelletti and it was amazing!
Anyways, it’s a great experience — I have gone back 3 times already since my first visit.

Pasta– dope
Drinks– dope
Company — dope (obviously)
Music– on fleek
Come here for the $ 10 pasta night (Monday) and ya won’t regret it bye xoxo

I am a HUGE Michael White fan, Marea is easily my favorite restaurant in the city, so my husband has made it a point to take me to his other restaurants! With that in mind, I had high expectations for Osteria Mornini.
We’ve been twice now for brunch/​lunch, and the first time service was terrible and the second time, service was great.
Nice, large restaurant, that can accommodate larger parties. I personally would not bring children here, but I’ve seen a lot of families and kids the two times we went.
The Food:
Torcia $ 23
Squid ink pasta, shrimp and seppia ragu
LOVED the flavor, this was my husband’s favorite, was done perfectly. Seafood is fresh and delicious.
Tagliatelle $ 19
Ragu antica, parmigiana
This was my personal favorite (in general I LOVE Tagliatelle) — flavor, pasta, texture, ration of sauce to meat to noodles, all was perfect!
Garganelli Pasta $ 19
Pasta quills, cream, truffle butter, prosciutto, peas
I’m not sure why I ordered this, I’m not a huge pea fan, pasta was perfect, just wasn’t as into the flavor of the overall dish. The waitress recommended it as one of her favorites, but I think it’s a personal preference. If you want a cream sauce over a meatier dish — like the tagliatelle
Cappelletti $ 23
Truffled ricotta ravioli, melted butter, prosciutto
Truffle flavor here was amazing, I just don’t think I’m a huge ravioli fan, however, my friend loved this dish. I mean what isn’t there to love, ricotta, truffle, melted butter, prosciutto.
Side of Cotechino $ 9
Spicy pork sausage
A little on the fatty side, but so good it melts in your mouth! Goes great with focaccia bread they serve!
Overall, I’m a pretty big fan, I think the menu has a good range of food, I don’t think I personally liked everything on there, but I think there is a well prepared amazing dish for everyone. Would definitely recommend to others and come back again!

Having been here several times, I never seem to be disappointed with this Altamarea location. The atmosphere is very warm, welcoming and has a nice causal but rustic touch to it as well. The service is always friendly and helpful when it comes to ordering newer items given the season. If you can, they do a special on Monday nights after you sit at 9pm where you get $ 10 pastas vs. the tradition $ 20+ pasta dishes.
Getting to the food, we started with the polpettine (proscuitto and mozzarella meatballs but were overcooked and a bit tough) and the salumi (sopressata, bresola, proscutto) and cheese (squacquerone and nuvola di pecora) board that is always a good option for the table to start with. Getting to the pastas, we tried the gnocchi with pomodoro (simple, al dente and ok), the ravioli with squacquerone cheese, rabbit, saba (had a balsamic-​like reduction that was very good and gave a nice balance of flavors) and the garganelle (cream, peas, truffle butter, prosciutto that was also very good and flavorful). To wrap things up, we tried the espresso torta (very light), the walnut budino (that was also light and had some nice texture) and a couple of scoops of gelato that were good.
Overall, with a bottle of wine and a cocktail each, this was an expensive meal. We basically did an app, pasta, and dessert each with some drinks and it came out to about $ 120/​person with tax and tip. Overall, the food is always excellent and the service is great so I can justify the price-​point.
Buon appetito.

Great, True Italian (Not Italian-​American), so don’t expect any «red sauce» or «gravy» or «family-​style» or anything «fra diavolo» (thank Little Italy for that invention) or «that’s Amore» music playing in the background.
Yes, it’s pricier and yes, the servings are on the smaller size, but this is high quality, delicious pastas and entrees primarily from the Emilia-​Romagna region of Italy, where the best food in Italy comes from, unbeknownst to most Americans.
My favorite pastas are:
Tagliatelle– with ‘ragu antica’ which is a bolognese sauce, but with milk added, and difficult to find in the U.S.
Spallina– a double-​pocket ravioli with squacquerone cheese in one pocket and rabbit in the other.
Gramigna– macaroni (no, not Kraft Mac & Cheese) with ground pork — it’s excellent, but on the salty side and can be a little too al dente.
For entrees, the Porchetta (pork) and Polletto (cornish hen) are excellent.
For dessert, the Panna Cotta is amazing — beautiful flavor along with fresh strawberries in a rhubarb compote.
And the wine list is great as well, with many good wines from various regions throughout Italy… not just Tuscan Chianti’s and Napa Cab’s like most crappy Italian restaurants in the city.
You can’t go wrong with this place, promise.
Other similar and great Italian restaurants in the city, in my opinion, are Babbo, Locanda Verde, L’Artusi, Dell’anima, Maialino, Morandi, Via Emilia and Pagani.

Buen ambiente, buen servicio, calidad muy buena, pero los platos son pequeños.