Morgan M

We always used to go to the Liverpool Road Morgan M for special occasion meals – usually about four times a year. We were excited about the move to Smithfield as we have been passionate supporters of the cooking and the restaurant. Not any more.
The cooking was, as ever, excellent. But everything else seemed to have gone to pot. The elegance and accessible formality of the room in N1 has been lost in a standard long and thin room lacking in intimacy. The waiting staff, previously impeccably attentive, served dishes with cream to my wife, who had told them at the beginning of the meal that she was cream intolerant. Tea was served barely brewed. When mistakes were made there was no sense of an apology.
Sitting next to a foul mouthed City trader straight from the Eighties didn't help much either. But that wasn't the restaurant's fault. Cooking still impeccable, but the spell has been broken.

We went to Morgan M last week. This was our first visit since the restaurant relocated to Long Lane and quite a long time since a visit to the Islington premises. We decided to order from the a la carte menu as we did not really have the time to experience the tasting menu, nor were we hungry enough to eat three courses, but found this quite difficult as every item on the menu sounded enticing! Having finally chosen two starters and two main courses, we were served an amuse bouche of “cream of chestnut with a stilton espuma” which was absolutely delicious.

Both starters (two different terrines, one game and one of foie gras) and main courses (both fish – wild sea bass and halibut) exceeded expectations and we were slightly disappointed not to be able to manage a dessert, even one to share! Added to the food experience, the service was very good – the front of house staff were very engaging, and managed to be at the table when appropriate without hovering over us

Needless to say, we have made a plan to return to experience the tasting menu before too long…

The food and service were excellent but we were disappointed with the table we were given. The downstairs part of the restaurant is not as attractive as the upstairs (which is what you see in the photograph). I had explained when I booked the table that was an important occasion for us as we were meeting our daughter's French boyfriend's parents for the first time. The table we were given was right next to the kitchen, which did not lend itself to an intimate evening as there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. Also our table didn't have a tablecloth which may sound quite petty but made the experience seem too casual. Despite my moans I have rated the evening highly but will be much more careful in the future when making a booking by confirming where the table will be.

Had a great meal at Morgan M. It had been a while since I ventured North to Monsieur Meunier's Islington outpost yet the the menu did look familiar. I understand that Morgan N1 is currently undergoing refurbishment and I hope they can bring it in line with the warm, comfortable environment that has been created on Long Lane.

After bread and a few too many G+T's (sadly only two gin options and one is blue) we were introduced to an Chesnut amuse bouché served with something in an unintelligible French accent. The three of us agreed it was outstanding.

That was the only point of agreement for the rest of the meal as we tackled the ‘a la carte’ – food envy and disagreements from the beginning. We picked at each others dishes for the duration and just could not agree on a victor. It was all just really that good. After a reasonable selection of Cheeses (but no crackers?) I was the only one tough enough to order a desert, an exquisite baked banana and as expected, it was vandalised by the rest of the table.

Another Michelin Star has to be in the post this year for this terrific Chef.

Lucky enough to enjoy a delightful meal at the new Morgan M at Barbican last week. My boyfriend and I are longtime fans of his original outpost on Liverpool Road, but it was a bit of a trek. His new venture has maintained his high culinary standards and is far more accessible by tube.

The upstairs dining-room is beautifully laid out, you have enough space to be intimate while still retaining an ambiance. We both had the vegetarian tasting menu – it's an old favourite of ours by now. Morgan has kept his lovely front of house staff, who always are on hand to advise on the wine or answer any menu queries.

There was a pleasant buzz about the restaurant on the night in question. He's also added a less formal bistro-style place downstairs, which I plan to try soon. It's great when one of your favourite places relocates onto your door-step. Not such good news for the waist-line however…

Two of us visited Morgan M in Long Lane soon after this new branch opened. We had the vegetarian tasting menu, which was as inventive and delicious as the various good meals I've had at the original Islington branch.
Because it was very early days, the restaurant was half full, and felt a bit empty and hushed, and it was also a bit chilly. Hopefully, just opening glitches and this restaurant will settle into being just as lovely as the original – which I really hope reopens too.