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Motek
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Motek
7.9
A high-energy Flatiron Mediterranean room built around shareable spreads, grilled proteins, and a broad all-day menu. It’s best when you treat it like a mezze-and-one-main experience: pick two dips, one hot starter, and one centerpiece protein for the table. Go for the vibe and the variety—order tight and it lands well.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus with laffa/pita, Shakshuka (brunch/lunch), Chicken kebab or shawarma plate
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A share-plate Mediterranean menu designed for groups, with dips and grills as the core.
Who should go: Groups who want a lively room
When to visit: Brunch or weeknight dinner
What to order: Hummus + laffa, one hot mezze, one grilled main
Insider tip: Two dips max—spend the rest of the order on one strong main.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; garages nearby on 5th Ave and around Union Square are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to trendy—jeans are fine, but the room skews polished and social.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—energetic and buzzy, better for groups than quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, except during peak brunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of vegetable-forward mezze, spreads, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—several dips and vegetable plates, confirm preparation with staff.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly plates available, but cross-contact is possible due to shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a lively, casual first date than an intimate one—the energy is fun, but it can be noisy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes during off-peak times, but evenings and weekends are much smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle a busy room; it’s more social than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, mezze-driven ordering, happy hour energy, and a social Flatiron vibe.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate Mediterranean dinner or a deeply traditional, region-specific menu.
Motek
8.3
A bright, high-energy Flatiron Mediterranean room where the food lands best in a tight, shareable arc—dips, one hot starter, then a main built for the table. The room is lively and stylish, so it works when you want a scene as much as a meal—just expect close quarters at peak times.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus shakshuka, Chicken schnitzel, Chicken shawarma
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A share-plate Mediterranean menu in a buzzy, design-forward room.
Who should go: Groups who want a lively dinner
When to visit: Weeknight dinner, earlier seating
What to order: Hummus shakshuka, schnitzel, shawarma
Insider tip: Order two dips, then one main—don’t over-stack starters.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking is limited; several paid garages within 2–3 blocks. Plan to garage after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but polished tops and shoes fit the room.
Noise level: Moderately loud to lively—conversation is fine early, gets energetic at peak dinner.
Weekend wait: 45–75 min without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: No wait to short wait (0–10 min) most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of dips, vegetable mezze, and egg-based dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—several dips and salads; confirm preparation with staff.
Gluten-free options: Some options available—grilled proteins and salads; cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you like energy and a scene. Sit earlier for easier conversation and share a tight order to keep things smooth.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights before 7pm or later at night; weekends are tough without booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults—loud and tight at peak. Older kids are fine earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Lively group dinners, share-plate ordering, and a stylish Flatiron scene with dependable Mediterranean flavors.
Skip if: You want a quiet, spacious meal or deep-dive regional cooking—choose a calmer, more traditional spot instead.
Motek
8.3
A polished, kosher-style Mediterranean room built for crowd-pleasing shareables, strong bread-and-dips fundamentals, and an all-day cadence that works for both brunch and dinner. The best experience comes from a tight spread: one hummus/pita anchor, one bright salad, and one standout main so the table feels composed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh-baked pita and hummus, Shakshuka, Chicken schnitzel sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A high-functioning Mediterranean room with a disciplined, repeatable menu.
Who should go: Groups who want safe-but-good shareables
When to visit: Weeknight dinner with a reservation
What to order: Pita and hummus, shakshuka, schnitzel sandwich
Insider tip: Order one dip spread, not three—pita disappears either way.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but the room leans polished rather than laid-back.
Noise level: Moderate — lively energy, but conversation is still easy at a normal speaking volume.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside peak noon hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong vegetarian-friendly menu with dips, salads, and vegetable-forward mains.
Vegan options: Yes — multiple naturally vegan options, especially among mezze and salads.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some gluten-free dishes available, but cross-contact is possible due to pita-centric service.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something stylish but low-pressure — shareable plates keep things social without feeling formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or off-hours, but prime dinner slots fill up quickly — booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy Mediterranean flavors and shared plates; less ideal for toddlers due to the lively room.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, crowd-pleasing Mediterranean food with consistent execution and a polished group-friendly setup.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dinner or deeply experimental Middle Eastern cooking — this is about refinement, not surprise.