Given its position steps away from Rockefeller Center, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Morrell Wine Bar is just for tourists. Sure, its location is attractive to out-of-towners visiting NBC Studios (or, the tree, at Christmas), but the bar also draws wine celebs, such as author Leslie Sbrocco and her publicist Kristen Green, and other afficiandos with its stellar cellar.
In this regard, Morrell’s offers 125 wines by the glass and 800 by the bottle. By-the-glass options range from the easy-drinking, Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés 2010 from Argentina at $9.00/glass to more serious options such as the Kistler, “Les Noisetiers,” 2009 from Sonoma Mountain at $30.00.
The overall wine list, as well as the featured flights, changes weekly as wines are sold out and new ones are added.
Moreover, their “Best of the Best” flight provides an opportunity to taste highly allocated, cult wines not available elsewhere. For example, on a recent visit, the line-up included Peter Michael ‘Belle Côte’ Chardonnay 2009, Château d’Esclans “Garrus” Rosé 2009, Marcassin Three Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, Joseph Phelps Insignia 2006 and Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2006.
Unfortunately, this special flight is off the menu for a few weeks, but will return the day after Labor Day through Thanksgiving. Although these wines are available to order by the glass, the $99.00 flight is an amazing value compared to purchasing the wines by the glass on their own (each is about $40.00/glass).
Situated next door to its sister establishment, Morrell’s retail store works in close concert with the bar. With the chance to try before you buy, patrons can sample by the glass prior to splashing out on a full bottle or case.
Both off-premise and on-premise lists are managed by Morrell’s wine buyer, Jean Reilly, a newly minted MW with a penchant for Pinot and sky-diving. When buying wine, Jean always keeps the customer in mind. For example, she notes that she sometimes comes across wines that don’t suit her particular taste, but looks past that and tries to focus on the quality and how well that wine represents a particular style. Jean further adds, “Retailing is very competitive and as a buyer, I feel like I have to keep my eye on the customer 24/7.”
Additionally, Jean explains that wines that pair well with food are also a big emphasis of hers. She acknowledges that wine pairing has become more challenging with many of the current trends in food, such as the chiles that pop up in unexpected places or fruit-based sauces on a main course. In response, she has shifted her attention to reds with little to no tannin to compliment this type of cuisine. More specifically, Jean has introduced several New Zealand Pinots and a red from the Jura region of France at the Morrell Wine Bar, both of which have proven to be fabulous partners for the bar’s food.
On nice days, take advantage of the coveted outdoor dining or sit inside either at a table or the bar. Beyond beverages, the food is inventive and fresh. Roasted red beets are served with crème fraiche, while a salad combines roasted peaches with fennel and a triple-cream Pierre Robert. The seasonal menu makes it just as easy to order dinner as it is to eat more lightly with its small and shared plates. And, local ingredients are sourced whenever possible; a current menu item is accented with honey made on a midtown roof-top.
Open seven days a week, the kitchen and bar begin at 11:30 AM Monday through Saturday, with food available until 10:00 PM and beverages until 11:00 PM. A truncated schedule is presented on Sundays with brunch and drinks served from 12:00-4:00 PM.
Morrell’s frequently offers classes and special events at both the store and bar. On Fridays from now through Labor Day, in-store tastings and Wine Bar promotions will showcase Champagne, with representatives from the wineries on hand to answer questions.
August 19, 2011
Goerg Champagne store tasting from 4:00-6:00 PM and Wine Bar tasting from 6:00-7:00 PM*
August 29, 2011
Roederer Champagne store tasting from 4:00-6:00 PM and Wine Bar tasting from 6:00-7:00 PM*
*Two-for-one flutes of select Champagne will be also available after 7:00 PM.