The posh retail district known as “The Avenue” in Greenwich Connecticut is now home to a stylish Italian restaurant and gathering place, Morello Italian Bistro. Owned by the London based restaurant group, MARC, Inc, with restaurants in London and New York, Morello Italian Bistro combines regional Italian cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, Kevin Garcia,with exceptional wines and superior service. A familiar face, James Branigan, formerly of Terra Ristorante Italiano in Greenwich, will be looking after guests, ensuring special care and attention to detail. The bi-level space is a historic Guastavino design with domed ceilings. The décor is tastefully chic and brings together casual warmth with high energy. The large bar is a social focal point of the restaurant where creative cocktails and global wine selections can be savored.
"Food was incredible. Great flavors. Fresh. Outstanding presentation. Superb menu. . Service was very poor. Server had heavy Russian accent. She was hard to understand and so were we apparently. Ambiance was noisy. Place isn't cheap. High ceilings and stone everywhere. So really noisy. They were blaring obnoxious rock music so we had to struggle to hear one another. Someone is really missing the details at this place. Not paying attention to the little things that are so important. Maybe that's why it was mostly empty on a Sunday afternoon. Can't imagine the noise level when busy. What's wrong with music as good as the food... Something soothing and elegant???"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Pleased with the choice of Morello's for Mother's day dinner especially Mother. Service was a little disappointing -- for some reason our server chose not to describe the specials to us, and we didn't even know there were specials till we overheard them being recited for the next table. Also, the bill came with a double charge for the wine and when we pointed it out the server acknowledged that she knew about it and had simply forgotten to remove it from the bill. Felt like a pattern here. Service notwithstanding, we were pleased with the food and we would definitely go back."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"I just LOVE Morello - one of my local neighborhood haunts. The greeting from Jimmy (and Sasha) is warm and friendly and it is always a pleasure to visit. I'm a vegetarian and there is always something delicious on the menu for me. My husband loves the fish dishes on offer. And the soups ... well they are GREAT! We'll keep going back ..."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"We had a fish special and the sirloin, which was delicious and very tender. Desserts (cheesecake and hazlenut mousse) were also fabulous. I've eaten here several times and have never been disappointed by the food. My only complaint is the noise level, which is a bit much for an elegant dinner in an otherwise warm, inviting place."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"I went to Morello for the first time to visit the sommelier, John Freitas. John came from one of my favorite places in Norwalk, Bacchus. The restaurant is beautiful. It was designed by the same architect that designed Grand Central Station. The calamari was fresh, crispy and had sliced hot cherry peppers; outstanding. The burrata was equally delicious. We were then given a complimentary taste of the farro with lamb ragu...WOW!!! One of the best grain dishes I have ever had..look out quinoa. Entree was a beef tenderloin filet. I don't get too excited about filet, but this was nice with a balsamic drizzle. The night was great because of John Freitas. He, as usual, provided the perfect wine selection to compliment the meal."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"The upstairs dining areas are very romantic. However, on this occasion was sat next to a table full of young girls who were rowdy. The restaurant needs to put couples (tables for two), away from group tables, so that everyone can enjoy the conversation and not get drowned out. I asked to be moved and was placed downstairs on a Friday night, luckily it was quieter, but it lacked the ambience for upstairs. Let's hope the restaurant does some re-arranging, or keeps groups downstairs and a more intimate dining experience for couples upstairs."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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"Hostess was very nice and welcoming. Our sever was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Every dish came out looking very nice and was very good. I particularly enjoyed the Crudo of Raw Fish, very fresh and very good. My Sea Scallops were fresh, seared nicely and moist in the center. My daughter had an excellent strip steak and my wife enjoyed her ravioli. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. We highly recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We were given a great table upstairs at a huge window overlooking the street and with heat blasting our feet, much appreciated because it was freezing out! Our waiter was very friendly as were all the staff. The restaurant was busy which was nice but the food unfortunately was not great. My husband ordered meatballs as a starter and they were awful! My salad was ok, his was not great and my braised beef special was seriously lacking flavor and was very dry even though I couldn't eat most of it due to the incredible amount of fat. Desserts were ok. We will not be returning, there is a much better Italian restaurant very close to this one!!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2008
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"I always stop at Morello on my way from NYC to Boston. One of the best Italian restaurants I've been to. I've never had anything I didn't love. I ALWAYS end my meal with the Bomboloni- their homemade doughnuts filled with an orange cream... they come out hot covered in sugar. You MUST try them! :)"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We ate in the bar area, as per our request. The bar has a good vibe and is comfortable; not too loud nor uncomfortably crowded. The portions are large so we split the penne bolognaise which was delicious. I think service would probably be a bit better in the main restaurant. I will definitely go back and would recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
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"Nice looking place, but food was only average and was not impressed at all by the desserts. Service was good but overall this place was definitely not worth the money. Bill came out to $150 for 2 people and we drank no wine."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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"Restaurant architecture is beautiful. VEry interesting to look at.
Food was good, but not excellent, which is what you would expect for the prices. Tuna Tartar was an excellent starter. Prosciutto & Parmesan Fritters were also delicious, but at $13, overpriced.
Pasta dishes (Orecchiette with pork sausage, broccoli rabe, parmesan and Pappardelle ai Funghi) were both good, but over-salted.
Service was OK, but server was not friendly and seemed uninterested in her job. Went to the bar for after-dinner drinks and the bartender was super."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic
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"The food was mediocre and the prices were high, especially wine by the glass which started at $12 for a five ounce pour. How about a house red and white for $8.00 or $9.00? My pasta was served luke warm. I sent it back to be heated and it was returned to me luke warm again. Had we not been with another couple, I would have asked them to cook it again from scratch or ordered something else. The meat sauce was mediocre and over salted. The one good dish I had was tuna tartare, which was prepared and served beautifully.The waitress was professional, friendly and responsive, but that did not make up for a disappointing, overpriced evening. Save your money and skip it!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2004
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"Cauliflower Fritti, calamari and veal meatballs are must-haves when ordering appetizers to share. Pastas are excellent as are the fish dishes. Dining upstairs is less noisy."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"starters were good. Pasta dishes were ok, but super heavy. i left over half of it. They lacked finesse. the place is nice otherwise, I would go back and only have a couple of starters. Main courses also did not look too attractive."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2007
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic
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"Disappointing. Can't seem to get it together and cook a decent meal. One would expect for the prices they charge that someone in the kitchen knows how to cook. They occupy a prime space on they"Avenue" and that seems, to me, to be the primary draw since the kitchen isn't."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2006
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"This was our second visit to Morello's, discovered on our return trip from NY to Boston last year. The food was delicious, service very good. The disappointing part of our visit this time was that there was a large party of very young children that were extremely loud, it was difficult to relax and enjoy our meal, many of the customers were looking at the party in disbelief that the adults in the party nor staff were concerned about other patrons, even our children couldn't believe the noise. The adults were actually encouraging the noise level. After providing hospice care all weekend to a family member and looking forward to another wonderful meal and a nice glass of wine at Morello's on our way home, this was truly disappointing."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2005
Special Features: kid-friendly, great for lunch
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