Looking for a cheap, quiet dinner in the West Village? Then you are going to hate this place. But if you are female and planning to gather with other females for dinner, we’re betting Morandi got mentioned more than a few times in the two days worth of emails that it took to plan your meal.
Maybe it’s the location, maybe it’s the rustic interior, or maybe because it’s a Keith McNally restaurant, but for whatever reason, Morandi is a big time destination for Girls’ Night Out. We happen to like the place as well, especially for the amazing porterhouse for two, but you have to know what you’re getting into. The restaurant is always loud and packed, especially as the week goes on. Morandi also does an excellent brunch, which can’t be a coincidence. Maybe McNally has just figured out the secret that every college town bar owner has known for ages. Figure out a way to get the girls to come, and everyone else will follow suit.
Food Rundown
This is a great way to kick off a dinner at Morandi - with salty fried things to make you drink your wine faster. Sure, you will find the typical calamari rings in there, but there are also shrimp with their head still on and little whole fish that have been cross sectioned. It’s all tasty.
A popular grilled octopus starter with celery and olives. This is good, but be warned - it’s a small portion, and it will cost you fourteen bucks.
We like our pastas simple, especially when it’s handmade. This is a great, basic dish of spaghetti with lemon and parmesan.
A Tuesday night special that’s worth ordering if you’re a porchetta fan. The plate is assembled elegantly, but it’s really still just a pile of pork and crispy skin cracklings. We like that.
Meet our favorite thing on the menu at Morandi. This dry aged porterhouse for two is ridiculous.
Yes, it’s a breakfast pizza, and you need it. It consists of a sunny side egg and pancetta atop a perfect oblong pizza crust. Worth the every penny of the thirteen dollar price tag.
