Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe
New York, NY 10020-2102
Phone: (212) 262-7700
- Cross Street:
- Between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- Directions:
- B, D, F, V at 47-50th Sts-Rockefeller Ctr
- Specialties:
- Wine List
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11:30am-10:00pm, Sun 12pm-3pm
Editorial Review for Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe – by Karen Hudes
The Scene
The contours of this bi-level Rockefeller Center wine bar are appropriately rippled, like wine flowing from a bottle, or perhaps the leisurely stream of conversation that follows. With its clean, curvaceous lines, Morrell's easily transforms in the evening hours from a bright business lunch spot to a date oasis in midtown.
The Draw
The wine list, which includes over 2,000 selections, is helpfully pared down and subdivided, aided by the option of tasting before you order. Italy, Australia and Argentina are well represented on the menu, and Morrell recently added an exclusive to their list called Invinctus--a deliciously full, fruity Napa cabernet with cherry notes.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasFor a perfect winter date, head over to the rink at Rockefeller Center, right across the street.
User Reviews for Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe
08/14/2007 Posted by kawaiicat7
For what it is it might deserve higher marks but it's hard to say. From the jump: the white bread is pointless, the whole grain bread is very good. Everyone around us had the cheese plate but we didn't have time, though it looked nice. My date had the lamb burger sliders which had in my opinion a decent crunch, but were either overpowered by the dressing-like sauce on them, or underwhelmed by the lack of lamb/burger taste as a whole, and the bread while crunch did not stand up flavor-wise either. I didn't try his lobster salad but it looked decent if you want something extremely light (bits of lobster meat and sprouts). I had the sweet pea/shrimp risotto which was slightly off-putting as, on the menu it says it comes with a tomato confit, but once it arrived it was green. . . Also, I typically stray from anything excessively creamy and oily - and let's just say this was extremely creamy and surrounded by oil.. but once the amazing flavors touched my mouth, all was forgiven. Decadent, yes. Filling? As time progresses! And certainly not something you would want to eat every day (not for the health conscious!) but a very lovely dish indeed. My date had a chardonnay that, for $30/glass, came far too cold and wasn't suitable until the end of our meal. By then it had a wonderful flavor, but that was far too late in the game. My Spanish red was described as complex and powerful, but was truly unimpressive as far as Spanish wine is concerned. And while it may sound like I am complaining (our waiter was awful), I still enjoyed the place and would go back. Why? My dinner was excellent, the outdoor seating is fun (and I wasn't even facing Rock Center, And I am not a fan typically of outdoor dining). I honestly shouldn't have enjoyed it - the tables are close together, but somehow, it was a lovely place to sit, and my meal leads me to believe other things on the menu are winners. Just... not the sliders.
Pros: Great outside seating (the best!), good meal, fun
Cons: Some food a bit off, both wines not served appropriately, poor wait staff.
05/17/2007 Posted by esusanny
I would've appreciated an informed and helpful waiter in respect to selecting a glass of wine w/ the appetizers and meals we ordered. I was expecting it to be more of an authentic Italian experience with servers who suggest (or just bring out) great wines with consideration to food, weather, etc, but our server could've worked in Applebees for all he cared. No suggestions, recommendations, personality, or manners. The place is small, but not too tight. The halibut was tasty. I was also very pleased to see the foie gras plate listed on the online menu was not on last night's menu (please support cruelty free establishments!). If my best friend didn't want to have her birthday dinner there I wouldn't have gone just based on the foie gras appearance, but hopefully mgt has taken it off the menu?? Dessert was fair- creme brule, lemon tart. Cheese plate was fair w/ a good selection of cheeses. For the price ($150 for two people) I would go somewhere else for a good wine selection plus service.
Pros: large wine selection, location, easy reservations on a Tues.
Cons: Michael the waiter, location (if you drive)
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