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Motek also operates a location in New York City\u2019s Flatiron District. | Alex Staniloff<\/p>\n
Motek was founded by husband-and-wife duo Charlie and Tessa Levy and translates to \u201csweetheart\u201d in Hebrew. It\u2019s inspired by Charlie\u2019s Israeli heritage, and the menu draws from Eastern Mediterranean flavors and family recipes.<\/p>\n
The newest location transports the brand\u2019s sunny Mediterranean aesthetic into Greenwich Village, with a garden-inspired design. It\u2019s anchored by a yellow-tiled bar at the entrance and has cascading greenery and real florals. The front room leads to a lively back dining area centered around an open kitchen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Large doors open onto the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal streets, so when the weather\u2019s nice, the space transforms into an airy indoor-outdoor caf\u00e9. It can accommodate 50 customers inside and 120 more on the patio.<\/p>\n
Motek\u2019s lunch and dinner signatures include pitas, salads, mezze like babaghanoush and muhammara, falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, and kebabs. There are also a couple of steaks and a wagyu burger. During the weekday happy hour, drinks and small bites start at just $5.<\/p>\n
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The restaurant offers a weekday happy hour starting at $5. | Alex Staniloff<\/p>\n
Weekend brunch brings shakshuka, avocado toast, and an egg-centered breakfast plate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The team believes that part of Motek\u2019s success is due to the overall popularity of Mediterranean food \u2014 right now and in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cMediterranean cuisine resonates because it naturally aligns with how people want to eat today,\u201d Calero said. \u201cIt\u2019s fresh, vibrant, and rooted in balance. There\u2019s an inherent sense of hospitality in the food, as it\u2019s designed to be shared, bring people together, and to feel both nourishing and indulgent at the same time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The group also operates Sesame Bakery in Miami and a fast-casual Motek offshoot called Yalla Motek, which serves kosher Mediterranean street food at Miami\u2019s Aventura Mall. The latter is slated to debut in New York later this year with additional locations of Motek in the city still to come.<\/p>\n