My Memories at Morimoto

My dining experience is defined by two major things: the actual food that is served at the establishment and the people I'm eating it with. In the past year, coincidentally or not, Morimoto has been the venue for three very important memories. For starters, it was a mini-high school reunion between friends I hadn't seen in years - a remarkable feat if you ask me, considering that my high school is all the way in the Philippines. The second time was a multiple-celebration lunch for a friend as it was for his graduation from college, his entrance into a top medical school, and his happy return back to his motherland (that same day was my last exam ever for college, which I very nearly missed on account of this fine meal). The third time was a double date - the first time in the history for me and my brother (as he has always hated my taste in men).

Morimoto is tucked away in the bustling meatpacking district, a little farther away from all the hot clubs and lounges that populate the area. It's a good area, especially with Del Posto and Craft directly across the establishment. To be honest, it's pretty hard to find. There aren't any loud, ostentatious signs outside the restaurant to reveal its location except for these bright, red, Japanese drapes that block it from view, and from afar, you'd have to walk past it or stand right in front of it in order to even see it. Most Japanese restaurants try to give off this stereotypical "zen" theme, but not Morimoto. Apart from the bar, everything else is pretty modern - especially the huge light structure by the stairway made of glass bottles.

The presentation of the food is impressive. I am a sucker for these things, and when the hamachi tartar came out complete with tools and props, it looked amazing. The food is obviously meant to be shared. Personal favorites are the unagi, foie gras and avocado bop (only served at lunch - rich, decadent rice bowl of heaven), the duck duck duck (foie gras croissant, peking duck soft duck egg, and red miso sauce), and the sea bass (light, moist and tender slices of buttery goodness).

The pastry chef also deserves mentioning - the Earl Grey crème brulee with orange sorbet was a wonderfully paired dessert that made for a very sweet ending to a delicious meal, as did the chocolate hazelnut mousse cake which I loved as well, but I didn't care so much for the apple sorbet which was a little too tart.

You should definitely drop by Morimoto to savor their delightfully delectable dishes (and to make memories as fond as mine).

Morimoto
88 10th Ave. (bet. 15th & 16th St.)
New York, 10011
Tel: (212)989-8883

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1 Gobbls  

I was not too impressed by my first trip to Morimoto, but after admiring your photos I think I will definitely give this place another shot! Rock shrimp and kobe carpaccio...mmmm

Posted by dru, Nov. 5th at 12:30AM

the time i went, the food was good, company was good, presentation was good. but the wait between dishes were like 20-30 mins....

Posted by yalie, Feb. 29th at 9:28PM

Tell yalie to Join Gobbl!

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