6 months or so ago, I would have given this restaurant a much higher rating. The food was wonderful and unique, with fresh ingredients and wonderful service. The menu was small, but the attention to detail was superb. The tomato basil soup is heavenly and so is the butternut squash ravioli.
That being said, something changed. A new chef? New Management? Budget cuts? One can only wonder. My husband and I have been going to Cafe Murrayhill (along with all of our neighbors) for a few years and we all have noticed a downhill slide in the quality of food, service and overall atmosphere of this once gem in a sea of chain restaurants. The last time we dined there, our service was subpar, I got the wrong egg dish and my friend ordered crabcakes, that had large chunks of carrots in them. Carrots are a unique touch to crabcakes, but it seems clear to us that shredded carrots would be a much better add to the texture of a crabcake. Who wants chunks of carrots in anything? It seemed like more of a timesaver then a carefully thought out ingredient, which is what Cafe Murrayhill used to be known for.
The service was also very slow, it took forever to get ketchup that we asked for and we had to search out our own salt and pepper shaker (after asking the waiter for both items, we got an eyeroll and he never came back).
At least the wine list is the same, which is very good and reasonable priced. Portions of wine by the glass are also better then most restaurants.
Also, in this day and age, a gluten free dish or 2 would be a welcome addition. I have many friends and family who do not eat gluten and I would not take them here for that reason.
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