New Italian Restaurant Piccolini Morini Set to Open in Nolita
Piccolini Morini, a refreshed iteration of the well-loved Osteria Morini, which used to be in Soho, is gearing up to open its doors this June in Nolita, as exclusively reported by Side Dish.
This Italian eatery will offer a menu that features freshly made pasta, an array of small plates, and $9 martinis, all within the ground floor of the Noritan Hotel located at 40 Kenmare.
Part of the Altamarea restaurant group, which also oversees Osteria Morini and the Morini brand, this new venue is a promising addition to the area. There are even plans for a rooftop space at the same location, though details about that remain under wraps.
Osteria Morini had a solid run on Lafayette Street for almost 15 years before closing in June 2024. Armas Fakahany, the founder and CEO of Altamarea Group, mentioned that the closure was a strategic move due to rising rents and customer demand, with hopes of finding a new spot in the same neighborhood.
After two years of searching, they found “the perfect place” just two blocks away.
“With Piccolini Morini, we’re introducing a concept that highlights small plates and pasta craftsmanship, along with those affordable martinis. It’s our take on reimagining Morini to align with today’s dining expectations in Soho,” Fakahany explained.
The Morini brand uniquely combines three different themes: Osteria Morini, which showcases Northern Italian dishes from Emilia Romagna; Cucina Morini, serving Southern Italian fare based in Washington, DC; and now Piccolini Morini, focusing on local Italian cuisine.
The layout of Piccolini Morini includes a main dining area with 52 seats, a 20-seat bar and lounge, a 20-seat semi-private dining room, and outdoor seating for 42.
Designed by Alsún Keogh from nusla design, the interior captures a youthful reinterpretation of a classic Italian grandmother’s home, blended with modern aesthetics.
This location was previously home to Kimika and, before that, BREAD.
The leasing was handled by Alexandra Turboff of MONA Retail Holdings along with Brett Nidel of Veracity NYC on behalf of Altamarea Group.
Altamarea’s portfolio also includes popular establishments like Marea, Ai Fiori, 53, and Crazy Pizza.
