Motek, Flatiron

Motek was the perfect place to have lunch with my friend Caroline yesterday. I'd heard good things about Motek, a Florida-based restaurant that has recently opened three locations in New York - Flatiron, the West Village, and the Upper East Side; with a fourth on the way in Williamsburg. I was looking forward to trying it.

Motek is an all day kosher-style cafe that draws inspiration from Israeli, Lebanese, Moroccan, and Yemini cuisines. The wide-ranging menu includes falafel, kebabs, schnitzels, salads, grain bowls, all-day breakfast, cocktails and mocktails, and more. I knew that both of us would find plenty that tempted us.

Caroline ordered Avocado Toast. Though the schnitzel was calling, I decided to keep it light and go with a grain bowl: cauliflower couscous, Sabich (roasted eggplant and and a hard-boiled egg), chopped Middle Eastern salad, amba aioli, hummus, sumac onions, and tahini. We were both very happy with our choices, though admittedly Caroline's massive avocado toast was a little challenging to eat.

Every plate of food we saw was gorgeous. Between that and the sunny yellow and white decor, Motek is showing up in a lot of Instagram feeds. Here's another reason: their Happy Hour. Mondays through Fridays from 2-5 PM, Motek offers an extensive menu of $5 cocktails and menu items. You must be seated at the bar or one of the high-tops, so try and get there early to beat the line!

Motek, 928 Broadway and other locations, Flatiron. Click here for their website.