Charlie Levy's Happy Corner Hospitality group is expanding its presence in New York City with multiple new restaurant openings planned across Manhattan and Brooklyn. The group, which already operates successful Motek locations in Flatiron and the West Village, is set to open a new Motek outpost at 60 W. 57th St. and a Yalla Motek at 366 Madison Avenue.
The new Motek on West 57th Street, which recently opened, took over the space formerly occupied by Rue 57. Levy stated that the proximity to another Mediterranean restaurant across the street does not concern him, noting that "each side of any Manhattan block is two different worlds."
The Yalla Motek on Madison Avenue is slated to open at East 46th Street, a prime commercial area. This follows Levy's strategy of securing desirable lease locations, with the 57th Street location encompassing nearly 7,000 square feet across two levels at a reported $300 per square foot.
Motek's menu features a variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, including small and large plates, hummus, schnitzel, kebabs, and steakhouse options, all noted as being seed oil-free.
In addition to the 57th Street and Madison Avenue openings, Happy Corner Hospitality has several other locations in development. A new Motek is scheduled to open in 2027 at 2178 Broadway on the Upper West Side, replacing the former Serafina. Another Motek is planned for 80 N. Seventh St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Levy also intends to launch a new brand, Sesame Kitchen, in Battery Park.
Levy, who grew up in Israel, has extensive knowledge of the New York City market, having lived in Manhattan for 25 years. He expressed ambitions to open up to 20 Yalla Motek locations in the city, with the first scheduled to open January 1 at 1147 Broadway.
Levy indicated that while he is considering expansion into the Upper East Side, the current focus remains on existing and upcoming projects. "We have enough to do now," he said.