If you live in the neighborhood and you want Italian food, family-friendly Morso (translates to Bites) is a dining option. On a recent weekend evening I walked in to the very bright and spacious dining spot between First and Sutton Place, NYC to find tables filling quickly with (what appeared to be) people from the neighborhood.
While the food is acceptable, it is not a place where the kitchen is so fabulous and the service so fine that you will order an Uber or even hail a cab to get to the food.
Reservations (at least on weekends) are (surprisingly) a necessity. Although my colleague and I had a reservation, the Maître d’ placed us directly in the path to/from the kitchen. A request to the Maître D’ (interestingly dressed in exercise pants), did facilitate a table change; however, there was no need to place us in the worst seats rather than a location that was better/best upon arrival.
Before looking at the menu, I ordered a J&B on the rocks; I was told there J&B was not available. I defaulted to Dewar’s on the rocks with a lemon twist. I was presented with scotch and water with limited ice and no twist.
Since I am unable to digest dairy products I asked the waiter for oil for the bread. When I inquired as to the type of oil available (was it from Italy, South Africa, Spain or Mazzola), the waiter admitted that he did not know. What showed up at the table was barely edible and best to be avoided.
I ordered the grilled beef paillard. It was about the thickness of a credit card and very well done (I ordered it medium). I also requested crispy fries (soggy floppy fries appeared). My dining friend ordered the Saltimbocca. Her review, “Meh.”
I thought an espresso would put a nice coffee finish to the evening. The beverage must have been in the kitchen since breakfast – waiting for someone to order it. What arrived at the table was a dark liquid that was lukewarm and tasteless (the lemon rind had to be ordered separately).
While the east 57th street corridor is not noted as a gourmet haven, there are other restaurants within walking distance that must be able to exceed the level of Morso with very little effort.
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Additional information: www.morso-nyc.com/
