I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — I miss NYC restaurants. I miss them so much. Stalking the openings. Curating lists of spots to try or hitting up special events at the holidays. We eat some here and there in the ‘burbs but there’s really no comparison.
I was really excited when I got the chance to go into the city earlier this month for our team holiday dinner. It was a randomly warm December NYC day with high temps in the 50s (not that I’m complaining.) Perhaps a bit on the warmer side but I loved that we had the option for it and that I was able to fully join in.
Motel Morris is the cutest spot, located just slightly south of 23 Street on the edge of Chelsea. The entire area along the front side of the restaurant is set up for dining — mostly enclosed with lots of greenery at the moment for the holidays. They also have outdoor dining set up further into the street.
I was pleasantly surprised by their top notch cocktail list. I really enjoyed the La Novela, which was tequila blanco, cranberry sauce and habanero bitters. I also was a fan of the Sweater Weather, which was bourbon, grapefruit, allspice and nutmeg.
We tried a number of their appetizers. The vegetable fritters were my favorite — they were light and flavorful and served with mint and garlic yogurt (such a great combo.) The mixed lettuces were also great.
For mains, I loved the white lasagna which was made with Swiss chard, spinach, kale, sheep’s milk ricotta and melted tomatoes. The roasted chicken was also great and was prepared with spicy Italian long hots, piquillos, escarole and Parmesan.
For desserts, we got to try out their butterscotch banana pudding pie and the chocolate pecan pie. I’ve never had a butterscotch banana pudding pie, and theirs was so good. It was a cross between butterscotch and banana pudding on a crust. So good. Highly recommend!
They even had a seasonal desert cocktail list! I had a very hard time choosing just one, but couldn’t pass up the chance at some eggnog that didn’t come from the supermarket!
Motel Morris – 132 Seventh Avenue, NYC – 646.880.4810
Reservations recommended
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