Piccorini Morini, a sort of 2.0 version of Soho’s now shuttered and beloved Osteria Morini eatery on Lafayette St., will launch this June in Nolita, Side Dish can exclusively reveal.
The ground floor space, at The Nolitan Hotel, 40 Kenmare, will house a “design forward” Italian eatery, with fresh pasta, curated small plates — and $9 Martinis.
The Italian eatery is from the Altamarea Group, whose restaurants included Osteria Morini, and the Morini brand. It will be at the Nolitan Hotel. Altamarea will also be opening a yet-to-be-announced rooftop space at the same address, sources say.
Osteria Morini had a successful run of nearly 15 years at 218 Lafayette St., before shuttering in June 2024.
“We closed Morini due to rent escalations with a view to relocating in the same neighborhood given client demand and appreciation,” said Ahmass Fakahany, Founder & CEO, Altamarea Group.
Two years later, they found “the perfect place” two blocks away.
“This time gave us inspiration to reimagine Morini for the dining habits and vibe of Soho today, with the new concept Piccolo Morini – emphasizing small plates, pasta craftsmanship and $9 Martinis,” Fakahany said.
The Morini brand will now have three “moods” — Osteria Morini, with an emphasis on Northern Italian cuisine from Emilia Romaagna; Cucina Morini, with a skew to Southern Italian fare, in Washington DC; and Piccolo Morini, with regional Italian flavors.
Piccolo Morini features a 52-seat main dining room, a 20-seat bar and lounge, and a 20-seat semi-private dining room, as well as 42 outdoor seats.
The space is designed by Alsún Keogh of nusla design, who reimagines the restaurant as a “youthful evolution of the original — akin to stepping into an Italian grandmother’s apartment, reinterpreted by a new generation.”
The space was previously home to Kimika and, before that, BREAD.
The deal was brokered by Alexandra Turboff of MONA Retail Holdings on behalf of Altamarea Group and Brett Nidel of Veracity NYC for 153 Elizabeth Hotel LLC.
Altamarea’s other holdings include Marea, Ai Fiori, 53, and Crazy Pizza.
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