If you haven't been to Motek yet, you are seriously missing out on one of NYC's most exciting Mediterranean spots.
Motek Flatiron on Broadway brings Miami's beloved kosher-style restaurant to Manhattan, and honestly? It's giving us all the warm, bright, share-everything vibes we need right now. The space is bright and modern with warm woods and Mediterranean touches. It's the kind of place where you can do a casual lunch or bring your parents for a nicer dinner.
The Starters That'll Make You Skip Your Entree
Roasted Eggplant Hummus - This isn't your basic hummus situation. Topped with a perfectly jammy egg, tangy amba aioli, and pickled onions that add the right amount of bite, this dish had us fighting over the last scoop.
Crispy Artichoke - Okay, this might've been the table favorite. The artichokes come out golden and crispy with this insanely good garlic cilantro aioli that I'm still dreaming about. It's the kind of dish where you tell yourself you'll have just one more piece and then suddenly the plate is empty.
Mains That Actually Deliver
Braised Lamb Shank - This is the dish that made everyone at the table go quiet for a minute. The lamb is ridiculously tender, sitting on roasted garlic skordalia (basically the most delicious garlicky mashed potatoes you've ever had), with an herb salad and pomegranate seeds adding brightness. It's hearty without being heavy, which is kind of a miracle.
Flatiron Half Chicken - Boneless chicken that actually stays juicy? Motek figured it out. The shifka aioli and lemon pickled onion cut through the richness perfectly, and it comes with market greens that you'll actually want to eat. The portions are generous enough to share if you're not starving.
Moroccan Fish - The Chilean sea bass is chef's kiss. It's swimming in this spicy tomato sauce with tahini and harissa that's somehow both comforting and exciting. The fish is buttery and flaky, and the sauce is so good you'll want to drink it with a straw.
Harissa Spare Ribs - These braised lamb ribs with harissa glaze are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. They're messy in the best possible way. Bring napkins and your appetite.
The Dessert You Absolutely Cannot Skip
Halva Silan Ice Cream - Listen, I don't care how full you are. Order this. Vanilla ice cream topped with shaved halva, candied sumac pecans, and silan (date syrup) is the perfect ending. It's sweet but not too sweet, creamy and crunchy, and the sumac pecans are a total revelation. This is the kind of dessert that converts people.
Motek Flatiron is the real deal. The food is fresh, flavorful, and made without seed oils. Everything we tried felt like it had thought and care behind it, from the family recipes to the modern twists. Whether you're Mediterranean food-obsessed or just looking for something different in the Flatiron area, this spot deserves to be on your list.
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