By Rachel Rosenstein
Morrison’s in Plainview is truly a hidden gem on Long Island. Josh, the chef, is one of the most creative, passionate, and artistic chefs in the area. The owners of Morrison’s like to refer to their restaurant as a “Gastro Pub.” For those of you who are not familiar with this term, it basically means unpretentious American food that is high quality and considered several steps above typical “pub grub.” There are the usual favorites on the menu, such as burgers and wings (which were delicious), but there are definitely some great culinary surprises as well. All of the food is served in large portions and can easily be shared. The salads are great starters, and you cannot go wrong no matter which you choose. The iceberg wedge had plenty of yummy blue-cheese and bacon. However, I personally suggest starting with their tender, jumbo, roasted chicken wings. They are meaty and tangy and served with plenty to share. The spicy lobster egg rolls are an excellent choice as well. Their most popular entrée, though, is the barbecue glazed rib-eye steak topped with crispy onions. If you are a meat eater, this is a must. There are also several great fish options, if you are looking for something a bit healthier. The deconstructed fish tacos are not your typical menu item. They are made with fresh mahi mahi, cilantro, pico de gallo, queso fresco, rice and beans, and Mexican slaw and served with warm tortillas. The best sandwich I tried was the Pastrami Reuben; it was juicy and more interesting than a typical Reuben. A woman at the table next to me ordered the Bistro Chicken sandwich with fresh mozzarella, marinated peppers, balsamic vinegar, and basil pesto on a ciabatta roll. It looked so good that I was tempted to ask a complete stranger for a bite! There is a long list of delicious sides that you can order to compliment your meal, such as a loaded baked potato, braised brussels sprouts, creamed kale, homemade hand cut fries, quinoa salad, and many more. I suggest ordering a few for the table and sharing them. In addition, the desserts are all made in house. They are amazing and definitely worth breaking a diet. The s’mores jar is a decadent layering of chocolate mousse with chocolate chunks, buttered graham cracker crumbs, and toasted marshmallows. My personal favorite is the cookie dough skillet. It is a giant, freshly baked, and extremely soft chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream and whipped cream, served in a small black skillet. Morrison’s serves lunch and dinner, and their Sunday brunch is fantastic! The chicken and waffles are a no brainer!
They have the Gastro Pub look down pat here. The tables are bare wood, with paper placemats and cloth napkins. The booths are burgundy leather, and the walls are covered with cool, vintage-looking photographs. The room is rather small, but very warm and homey. The prices are moderate especially for the amount of food you are served. It’s worth noting that the service can be a bit slow, especially for brunch, so go when you are not in a crazy rush.
Whether you are a true foodie or just want a great casual meal with your friends or family, you will be more than satisfied here. It gets crowded, so I suggest making a reservation in advance. They are open Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 10:00pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 11:00pm; and Sunday 11:30am to 9:00pm. Overall, this fun restaurant was definitely a hit for me and my family. Check out Morrison’s; you will not be disappointed!
Photo Courtesy Morrison’s on Facebook
