AMAZING AMAZING! Great foods and ambience all around. Everyone should try the place at least three times just to make sure that it's not a dream. The food is FRESH TASTY and simple without any gimmicks (the kitchen let the ingredients do the talking) the staff is professional; just a great place to be. KRIZIA is so lovely and efficient that I wouldn't even know where to start in order to describe how efficient she is. She puts us so at ease that we didn't even want to look at the menu my wife and I; so we just let her order for us; and God we were so happy that we did!! Motek is our new favorite neighborhood spot. Thank you for the wonderful experience! LF read more

5$ happy hour deal is a steal! Drinks aren't watered down and the food is all decently large portions for the price point. That being said, they refuse to give change if you pay cash. If you're going to pay cash make sure you have smaller bills as well so you don't get ripped off. read more

The Best Kept Secret in Flatiron (Please Don't Go So I Can Keep My Seat) I almost don't want to write this review because I want to keep it to myself, but Motek Flatiron has the absolute best hidden-gem happy hour in NYC. The quality and value for the Flatiron area are unmatched. We ordered a massive spread to share. The salmon skewers, crispy latkes, and warm, puffy pita with creamy dips were all fantastic. But the real stars were the Arayes burger and the watermelon salad. The burger is incredibly juicy and perfectly crisped inside the pita, while the fresh watermelon salad with feta and mint is the ultimate refreshing counter-bite. It's the perfect spot to grab a drink and share incredible Mediterranean comfort food without breaking the bank. Just do me a favor--don't tell too many people. I still want to get a seat! read more

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I came here for lunch. We arrived early and despite having made a reservation weeks in advance and the whole party being present , we were not seated until 15 minutes past our reservation time. They then seated our party of eight at two separate tables! I have never experience anything like that before. We then waited longer and were finally seated at one table. When you have one hour for lunch, seating a party with a reservation 25 minutes late is not acceptable. I also did not hear anyone from Motek apologize at any point. The restaurant is loud and echoey, and and it's difficult to hear anyone not directly next to you. The food is good and the price is fair for the portion size and neighborhood. The decor is nice. But given the rest of our experience at Motek, I would not return - you can get solid food at many other places nearby. read more

It is getting tough to get a reservation here which I guess is a good thing, but the service needs work. We came back 4 months later with friends for dinner and arrived a few minutes before our 6:15pm reservation. We checked in and had to wait 20min (there were a ton of people by the entrance/bar waiting too, one guy even came over and asked when they were going to be seated as they had been waiting 15min for their table with a reservation) before being seated at our table which kind of defeats the purpose of a reservation. The restaurant is still very loud and packed, they have a lot of tables (it is a large space) and every one was taken. I had to ask for our waitress (who was very nice) to come over to take our order, so it is possible they also need more staff (they are definitely busier than the last time we came). I will say our water glasses were refilled regularly though which is important. We wanted to order the special of the night which was the branzino, but they were out of fish, weird since when we sat down and ordered in was only 6:45pm. As a group of four, we got the prime beef hummus, 2 chicken schnitzel sandwiches, latkes, halloumi and date skewers, summer salad (watermelon and feta), arayes, turkish oven pita, and chicken kebab. The hummus and arayes were great once again, as were the latkes and schnitzel sandwiches. One of the best new dishes we tried was the halloumi and date skewers, absolutely recommend. The turkish oven pita was tasty, similar flavor (more tomato less hummus) as the prime beef hummus and great soft texture on the pita. The summer salad was just okay (nothing wrong with watermelon and feta, it just didn't stand out) and the chicken kebab was disappointing. We had the lamb kebab previously and I just don't think the kebabs are worth it for the price. It is a single skewer and for how much flavor the other dishes have, these just don't at all. In my first review I said it reminded of Mama Mezze and it still does, just less so. I think while the food here is good, they just don't have any stand out items on the menu that make me feel strongly about going back. The menu is pretty expansive though, so maybe I would find their signature/stand out dish if we tried more of them. read more

Bright and cheery yellow and white motif. Kind staff. Outdoor seating area was very cramped because they tried to fit too many tables and chairs, but otherwise gorgeous spot for people watching while enjoying great food and drinks. Servers were working hard to keep up. Happy hour tables are 45 minutes only, so pro tip is to order a lot of food and drinks Monday-Friday from 3-5pm. The summer salad was refreshing, my partner enjoyed the falafel and I liked the zucchini cake. We also tried the halloumi, which was good with dates but a little greasy (needs to be friend at a higher temp). The beef kofta was excellent and flavorful. read more

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Went for a Saturday afternoon brunch with a reservation. Live nearby and have been wanting to come for a while but they always seem so busy. I forgot how big it is inside but they did a great job with the decor and ambiance. Food, drinks and service were all fantastic. There are a number of things I still want to try but just in general, this feels like a staple you can keep coming back to.! read more

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Motek Flatiron nails the atmosphere. The space has this breezy, polished Miami energy that makes it feel like a little escape in the middle of the city. It's definitely a fun spot for a stylish dinner or a night out with friends. Food-wise, though, I was underwhelmed. I ordered the roasted eggplant, harissa lamb ribs, and chicken schnitzel. The lamb ribs had a nice idea behind them, but they leaned too sweet for me and the harissa didn't bring the heat or depth I was hoping for. The schnitzel was fine, but not especially memorable. The eggplant was the hardest sell: it had a strange citrusy bitterness that threw off the dish. I wanted to love Motek because the vibes are genuinely great, but the food landed more "mid" than memorable for me. I'd maybe come back for the scene, but not necessarily for the meal. read more

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Food and service are truly an experience. Every platter that was served was delicious. The seasoning was delightful, very satisfying to the palate. Highly recommend for lunch or dinner. read more

Motek - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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We had a fantastic experience at Motek! The ambiance is fun and lively without feeling overwhelming or overly loud, and because the space is so large, securing a reservation is actually manageable. As someone who prioritizes healthy eating, I appreciate that they are seed-oil free. While the menu offers a vast array of incredible options, I do think it could be better organized for dips; currently, they're scattered across sections for hummus, labneh, cold mezzes (like muhammara and babaganoush), and hot mezzes (like the matboucha). It may be more user-friendly to have them grouped together and notate which come with pita. For our meal, we ordered the babaganoush, crunchy cabbage salad, Turkish lamb kebab, and chicken schnitzel. Each dish was generously portioned and delicious. The babaganoush was creamy and flavorful, topped with just the right amount of olive oil--a refreshing change from other restaurants that tend to overdo it. The pomegranate seeds and za'atar were a lovely touch, and I enjoyed that it wasn't too smoky. The accompanying pita was perfectly fresh and well-seasoned. The cabbage salad was another highlight; the combination of crunchy cabbage, toasted almonds, and a light vinaigrette was excellent. The chicken schnitzel was well-executed as far as schnitzels go and perfect for sharing between two or three people. It was served with a lemon slice, a light green sauce that wasn't too memorable, and a dollop of a spicy, mayo-like sauce that went better with it (not sure what the sauce actually was). We actually wished there had been more of that spicy sauce, though we found that dipping the chicken in the leftover babaganoush was a good alternative. The small side of greens felt a bit like an afterthought, but the main dish held its own. The Turkish lamb kebab was equally impressive, featuring tender and flavorful meat served over a base that might have been a cracker, but we didn't try it. Again, we preferred the sauce dolloped directly on the plate over the one served in the side dish, and while the small veggie skewer was fine, it also seemed like a bit of an afterthought. I am already looking forward to my next visit to try more of the menu, specifically the muhammara, cauliflower tabbouleh, the various hummuses (classic, mushroom, roasted eggplant), and the labnehs. I also have my eye on the tuna tartare, fennel salad, harissa honey salmon, and the whole branzino. With so many new locations opening soon, it's going to be even easier to return, and I can't wait! read more

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Had an absolutely incredible brunch here! If I lived closer, this would be my everyday spot. The zucchini pancakes were without question the best zucchini pancakes I've ever had in my life. I also loved the malawach and black tahini ice cream sundae. I didn't love the mushroom toast as much as my friends who raved about it, but it was definitely well made. I can't wait to come back here to try more things because our neighbor's table got a schnitzel sandwich that looked absolutely incredible. The service here is excellent and very accommodating. My friends and I can only eat outside for health reasons and they weren't planning to open the patio but did to accommodate us. Then more people wanted to sit there and it was a win all around. There's wheelchair access to get indoors but everything inside is very tight. FYI. There is a serviceable ADA bathroom all the way in the back. I needed staff assistance to open the door as it was very tight but they volunteered to help me and again were very attentive the whole time. Highly recommend if you love Middle Eastern food and good people. read more

Food is amazing and service really nice $5 Happy Hour is a must but remember you have to sit at bar ...The hummus is insane and the French Pita is to die for Will be back read more

Motek - Outside of venue - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Everyone who's been to the Motek in Miami raves about it so I was very excited that it's in NYC now. They have a great menu, wide variety of options for vegetarians, fish, and meat. We mostly went with a veggie menu starting with the crunchy cabbage salad which was so tasty and had the perfect texture. The Tzatziki is a must. Get the whole dip you won't be disappointed. The large, warm pita that comes with it is like a fluffy hug in your mouth. We also got the street corn side which was very good. Some places use a lot of mayo which I'm not a fan of, but not this spot. The arayes were another favorite. Cooked perfectly in the middle, crispy on the outside and it came with 3 sauces. The fries that came with it were soggy so wasn't a fan of that but everything else was great. We finished the night with baklava which was also very good. Definitely make reservations. The place does get loud but we weren't bothered by it. Despite how busy it was, the service was still great with multiple people checking in on us throughout the night. It would be a great place for groups and would recommend it especially if you want to try a bunch of different things. read more

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I came into town today and immediately took my friend here because it is one of my favorite restaurants ever!! I've been here before so I already knew exactly what to order, and it was just as amazing as I remembered. We started with the hummus with laffa and it was unreal. The bread just rips apart and is so soft it almost feels buttery. We got the zucchini latkes- which I can never come here without ordering. They are easily one of the best things on the menu. So crispy and flavorful. I literally dream about them!! Of course we also got the chicken schnitzel and shared it. Between the schnitzel, the hummus and pita, and the fresh salad that comes with it, we were basically making little sandwiches and ripping pieces of bread to scoop everything up. Add the latkes and it was the perfect amount of food for two people, and we still had leftovers. Since I came in from out of town, my friend and I had a lot to catch up on. Once we finished eating they did ask us to wrap up so they could turn the table, which I understand since it's a really popular spot. We definitely would have loved to stay longer. So my tip is to eat slowly if you want to linger and keep chatting lol! Overall we had an amazing experience and I loved every bite. There will never be a time that I come to New York and don't come straight here for my first meal. It's spectacular‍ read more

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Phenomenal. Came for brunch and it was packed but we were seated quickly with our reservation. All of the plates are meant to share which means we got to try everything. I am not usually an aperol spritz drinker but their Jaffa spritz was amazing! For food, everything is absolutely incredible. Each entree was better than the last. We got the babaganoush which I'm not normally a fan of but it was tasty and paired nicely with the fluffy pita which was fresh out of the oven. We then had the halloumi dates, crispy cauliflower, and zaatar greek salad. All of them were delicious although the salad is probably something you can skip on (we just wanted some veggies). For the main event, we got the crispy schnitzel sandwich, arayes, and malawach pancake. I can't even tell you which one was my favorite because they were all so different! The crispy schnitzel is huge so definitely something to share. Unfortunately the malawach came out so late, to the point that we forgot we ordered it and were too stuffed to eat it. I tried one bite and loved it, just wish it came out sooner so I could appreciate it more. I can't wait to come back for more! read more

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4.5 rounded to 5 Beautiful restaurant with delicious Mediterranean dishes with fresh, light, and authentic flavors. My coworker said their hummus is as good as the ones in Israel, and while I cannot confirm that claim, the hummus was one of the best I've had. I ordered the chicken shawarma which was cooked really well, and I recommend ordering a salad to share as the shawarma plate itself leaves a little to be desired. The za'atar Greek in particular was good. The restaurant was packed during a weekday lunch, so highly recommend getting reservations. It can get loud and a bit cramped, but service is friendly and fast. read more

Motek - Inside - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

The food is very solid. Pita and the hummus spread were the silent stars of the show. The mood is very scenery and lit well. Its easy to get lost in the comfortable booths and be swept off your feet to the Mediterranean oasis they've cultivated. The waitstaff do a decent job, would give them a 7.2/10. A couple of stars of the show, then a few who seem to still be learning. The lamb rack was so tender and flavorful we ordered a second. Paired with some good skewers and wine this was a dinner well worth the time spent. It can get pricey so would recommend it for the right setting. Motek was a quality experience and the food was legitimately good and a pleasure. As the night goes on, the place becomes more of a sceney spot -- which can always lead to a good time. I understand they have a happy hour 2pm - 5pm during the week. read more

Visited Motek in Flatiron on a Tuesday night for a group birthday dinner. There were about eight of us, and we were seated at a table tucked into a semi-cove toward the mid-back of the restaurant, which worked really well for a group and felt like we had our own space. We ordered quite a few appetizers and dips, and a few mains to share. The list includes: the classic hummus ($15), babaganoush ($15), a few other cold mezze dips (also around $15 each), za'atar Greek salad ($22), crispy chicken schnitzel ($26), crispy cauliflower ($16), Greek lemon potatoes ($12), Middle Eastern dumplings ($18), hot honey salmon ($29), broccolini ($12), and regular pita. Everything was good and flavorful. The smaller plates and appetizers felt a bit expensive for what they were, though the mains (~$25-$45) are fairly standard for NYC. None of the starters really stood out as exceptional, but I did especially enjoy the crispy cauliflower and the salmon, which had a sweet harissa-honey glaze. The salmon, while pricey at $29, was a generous portion. The crispy chicken schnitzel was also large enough for two people and great for sharing. Then we also had a selection of desserts to celebrate. Overall, it was a good experience and an enjoyable meal. We ordered a lot of food, so everyone left full, and the staff was attentive throughout. This is a good spot for birthdays, group dinners, or work outings. It is a large, open restaurant that feels a bit more special, and it also seems very popular, there were multiple groups waiting for tables both when we arrived and when we left. Overall, it was tasty food, not inexpensive , and well-suited for groups and special occasions read more

Motek - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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I came for the $5 hour deal and it was great. I ordered the babaganoush and chicken shawarma pita. Plus a glass of Prosecco. Each $5! What a deal! The place was lively but not too bad and service was great. read more

Motek - Babaganush and Chicken Schawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Great for a group bunch or intimate dinner. The bread is to die for but don't fill up on the bread and dips. I loved the schnitzel too but needed to take it home because we ate so many apps. Can't want to come back again read more

Motek - Chicken schnitzel - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Very chic and girly inside, this place is perfect to grab dinner with your girlfriends at. While in town for work, my manager and I grabbed dinner here and both loved it. We started with the Baba ghanoush and it was so good and the pita was absolutely delicious. For our main course I got the branzino special and the broccolini. The broccolini was okay but the branzino was to die for. It sat on a bed of artichokes, potatoes, capers, and cherry tomatoes and was in a fabulous lemon butter. My friend got the chicken shawarma and said it was good and the lemon potatoes which I had a bite of and they were great too. Our server was kind and overall this was a lovely experience. read more

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The hummus shakshuka with sabich was pretty tasty - a slightly sweet and round tomato sauce with some herbs, spices, and a few chilies for some heat, served with buttery fried eggplant and fluffy challah. The texture on the challah is particularly standout. It was around $31 with all the additions, but made for a solid meal. read more

Amazing happy hour. Great service and the best schnitzel. The space is beautiful. read more

Motek - Margs - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious food in a gorgeous setting! We visited Motek for brunch, having made a reservation in advance. It was freezing out but the interior immediately gave me summer vibes - a yellow antique car in the entryway, bright yellow accents, lighting fixtures that looked like parasols, and lots of greenery. For drinks, I ordered a mocktail (can't remember the full name but it had "Bazaar" in it), which was delicious. I loved the refreshing pomegranate flavor. For food, we ordered a bunch of items to share between the 5 of us - Tzatziki, Middle Eastern Chopped Salad, Crispy Cauliflower, Zucchini Latkes, Moroccan Cigars, Hummus Shakshuka, and Crispy Chicken Schnitzel. Everything was so fresh and tasty! The Crispy Cauliflower, Zucchini Latkes, and Moroccan Cigars were probably my favorite items. I was probably too full by the time the larger dishes were brought out, but I definitely prefer a more traditional Shakshuka over the Hummus Shakshuka. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall, we had a great experience! read more

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Overview: My friend and I went here for dinner. She recommended it because she really enjoyed their Boca Raton location. The food was yummy and the portion size was nice as well! The inside is super cute and larger than it looks from the outside. You definitely have to get a hummus because 1) it's yummy and 2) the pita is so soft, fluffy and good. I would definitely recommend getting a reservation as this place was constantly packed since the moment we got there. There were also a lot of people waiting to be seated. What was ordered: Beer, old fashion cocktail, mushroom hummus, crispy cauliflower, basket of lollipops, their branzino special dish. Stand outs: Mushroom hummus and the special branzino Would I come back/recommend: Yes - I would come back Yes - I would recommend read more

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The service was excellent and the food was really good. They also have an amazing $5 happy hour Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m., which is definitely worth checking out. We went on a Friday, so there was a bit of a line, but it was absolutely worth the wait. Everything was great from start to finish. Highly recommend! It's a beautiful restaurant with very friendly people. This place will not disappoint! read more

Motek - Old fashion - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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A really nice breakfast experience ! The place is new in the city and we wanted to give it a try - we started w halumi skewers with dates which were very yummy . I then got the shakshuka that came with a much challah role and was very tasty ! The Turkish coffee they serve was also very good . All together really enjoyed the place - service and decor was also of high quality read more

Motek - Shakshuka - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Beautiful Soulful Yummy And Super cool Must go Especially now. Motek is one of the best. read more

Enjoyed the food, service was very good, pretty interior, very lively, but somewhat noisy. Will be back though, love supporting my people. read more

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We came for a weekend brunch and had a great experience. Food and ambience are great! You do need a reservation since it's very popular. Don't wing it. We shared: - muhammara - hummus shakshuka - chicken kebab - chicken Schwarma - peppermint tea Everything was incredible. I'm not sure how they made the peppermint tea so good! Usually tea is just tea but wow. The muhammara and shakshuka were particularly memorable. Also the bread that comes with is great too. read more

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Great, lively atmosphere! The food was delicious, particularly the pastrami flatbread and chicken schnitzel sandwich. The prime rib hummus was also a standout while the crispy artichokes were okay. Halva ice cream is unique and relatively light. Our server was a little standoffish and not helpful when we asked for recommendations but we managed. My one tip to the restaurant - please add handles to your to go bags. read more

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My wife and baby stopped in a couple times within a week and the service was always fast and accommodating. The wait staff was always super friendly despite never having reservations and also coming in with a huge baby stroller. We always came right before peak time so I would suggest doing the same if you want a table before the crowd. This place can get packed and I can understand why because the food is really good! Must get - the hummus, baba ghanoush or any dip. Unlike all the hundreds of mezze restaurants in NYC, this place gives you a FREE fresh baked pita bread when you order any dip. That's kind of insane for being so central and also very delicious. I also loved the halloumi and date skewer. It was interesting. It has a sweet glaze over it and the date is cooked down to a candy like consistency. The salmon skewers were also very tasty. The zero proof Spritz were also yummy and very festive. The interior is fun and refreshing. They even have a private area downstairs for events. Overall the vibes and the food were on point! Just be sure to go before the rush! read more

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Motek had such a great variety of food We tried a few different dishes. The pita bread was amazing warm, so nicely seasoned and flavorful. The chicken schnitzel platter came with a side salad with light dressing on it My husband who never really eats salad loved it. The chicken was nicely well done and crispy. We also indulged in the crispy cauliflower and cabbage salad. Everything was so delicious and we look forward to returning read more

Motek was incredible and hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. From the moment we walked in, the energy was buzzing in the best possible way. It was very busy, yet the service never missed a beat. The Mediterranean-inspired decor sets the mood and made it feel I was back in a Mediterranean country. The service was nothing short of top-tier. Every single person we interacted with was attentive, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They gave excellent recommendations, explained the menu in detail, and even suggested perfect pairings for us. You could tell the staff genuinely cared about the dining experience of their customers. Every single dish and drink we had was exceptional. We started with the spicy feta and a piece of bread for our appetizer. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best appetizers I've ever had in my life. For our entrées, we ordered the beef kebab and the chicken schnitzel. The schnitzel was world-class and comparable to what I've had in Germany or the Czech Republic, and the beef kebab was just as lovely. Motek isn't just a restaurant, but more of an experience. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you're looking for a restaurant that delivers on every level, this is it. Absolute 10/10. read more

Motek - Spicy Feta - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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We were a fan-- we got an early reservation, but it seems that there was a training of the new staff! Still very sweet service. The food spoke for itself-- the bread was delightful and the drinks were incredible. The perfect ambience for a get together or a date! Need to come back here and try other dips and entrees! Cheers! read more

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Yes yes yes. I have been to Motek in Miami (a number of times and almost all of the locations) and I have to say the one in NYC is even better. The aesthetic inside is so cute. You feel like you are in the Mediterranean. The service was extremely friendly and kind. There will be a LINE, so be prepared any day to wait. The food is solid. Get pita, get the hummus that has meat in it. Get meat. And the desserts too. So good. read more

Motek - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Been waiting for this. Motek has arrived. In Flatiron/ Union Square. Middle Eastern food nearly unrivaled in flavor & creativity. Like a breath of Miami. Yellow & white coastal vibes interior.So many seafood options. Ate : Salmon skewer Cauliflower tabbouleh Classic Hummus with laffa Total: $45 before tip Flavor bombs and so much more to try. Every dish slapped & the bread charred with olive oil & salt like a pizza dough. The hummus is tahini forward using fresh chickpeas& pine nuts for texture. .Their famous happy hour is dropping soon probably October and will be announced. I passed by and they've begun offering lunch bowls. read more

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The headline is: run, don't walk here for some of the best middle eastern food I've ever had! I come to New York for work a few times a year and a friend of mine told me that Motek, her favorite Miami restaurant, was having a soft opening in NY. I love Israeli and middle eastern food and luckily for me, Motek was having their soft opening when I was in town. I ordered: *Muhammara - this is one of my favorite things and it was delicious! It came with laffa, which was so fluffy and delicious! *Watermelon summer salad - this was perfect and very refreshing! *Moroccan cigars - this was an audible as I kept going back and forth on some other things. I remembered that my friend said she loved these and man, oh man, this was fantastic! My only regret is that I went to dinner solo, so while I obviously over ordered as is, I really really wanted to try a lot more things. I got to sit by the laffa station and it was fun watching all the apps and things being made in front of me. I will say that the service could use a little bit of refinement, only because my server was fairly quick to bring me my check and din't ask if I had room for dessert. I mean, to be fair, I didn't, but he should have asked so I could have stared at the menu longingly. Regardless, would highly highly recommend, and I absolutely can't wait to come back! read more

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Some of the best Mediterranean food I've had in NYC! Everything we had was delicious, but the pita here is truly remarkable! The hummus was so creamy, and all of the dips were to die for. The Areyes were my favorite of all the main dishes we had, but all of the food was really fresh and flavorful! I will say our table was extremely small, so we were constantly having to hastily finish dishes in order to make room for more. We did feel like we were being rushed a bit, but the food was delicious nonetheless. A reservation is definitely needed as there was a line out the door as we were leaving, but I will be back to try more items! read more

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Motek is absolutely outstanding. The vibe is immaculate--spacious, stylish, and lively without feeling overwhelming. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. Their wine and drink selection is excellent, and the food truly shines. I've been to the Miami location before and loved it, but this location feels elevated in every way. Standout dishes were the halloumi appetizer, the pickled veggies appetizer (so fresh and flavorful), and the salmon entrée, which honestly melted in my mouth. Everything was perfectly executed. This place is popular for a reason--definitely make a reservation. Can't wait to come back. read more

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