Photos courtesy of Lemon Pop.
Motek, the beloved Miami-born Mediterranean restaurant, is expanding this fall, opening its first NYC location in the Flatiron District. The new outpost at 928 Broadway will bring Motek’s vibrant, kosher-style, and seed oil-free cooking to a new audience. Hebrew for “sweetheart,” Motek was established in Miami in 2020, the brainchild of husband-wife partners Charlie and Tessa Levy. Doors open Sept. 15. Additional NYC locations are in the works.
“I spent 20 years in New York before Miami became home,” says founder Charlie Levy. “Miami is often called the sixth borough of New York, so expanding here feels like a natural next step. We’ve built a loyal following in Florida, and after countless requests to bring Motek to New York, now is the right time.” A South Florida favorite, Motek has grown to seven locations—including Coral Gables, Brickell, Downtown Miami, South Beach, Miami Beach, Aventura, and Boca Raton, all under the Happy Corner Hospitality umbrella.
One cannot resist the alluring, elegant brand Motek has cultivated, with its lemon yellow and white motif, consistent here at their new NYC location. They even have their own brand of tahini and olive oil. Inside along the arched walls are painted lyrics to Fiddler on the Roof’s “If I Were a Rich Man.”
Motek has achieved something of a cult status, renowned for its delicious, kosher home-cooking, packed with Mediterranean staples such as oven fresh pita, hummus, salmon broiled to perfection, Greek lemon potatoes, Turkish lamb kebabs, along with a great selection of cocktails, including their Watermelon Cooler, with tequila, ancho verde liqueur, as well as tasty mocktails, such as the Bazaar Breeze, with pomegranate, molasses, cranberry, and baharat spice. Meat lovers can also feast on a variety of steak cuts, and Wagyu burgers. Those craving street food can opt for the crispy chicken schnitzel or a ribeye on baguette.
Make sure to save some room for decadent Mediterranean desserts including finger licking good baklava, and panna cotta with raspberry and pistachio. Plan your next dining date at Motek now! Reservations are being taken on OpenTable. @Motekcafe