Happy Corner Hospitality Opens Motek on West 57th Street and Plans Yalla Motek for January

Happy Corner Hospitality has opened its Motek restaurant at 60 W. 57th St. in Midtown Manhattan, taking over a space that had been occupied by Rue 57 until it closed 18 months ago. The New York Post reported the opening and the group's further New York plans.

Motek's 57th Street Opening and Rent

Motek, the Miami-born Mediterranean and Middle Eastern brand, now operates at the southeast corner of Sixth Avenue. Charlie Levy, who founded Happy Corner Hospitality Group | Motek, said the location sits across the intersection from Simon Oren's Acadia on the northwest corner.

"Each side of any Manhattan block is two different worlds," Levy said.

The blended rent for nearly 7,000 square feet on two levels is $300 per square foot. Levy said he lived for 25 years at Eighth Avenue and 57th Street, an experience he said taught him the value of prime locations. The menu includes mezzes, hummus dips, crispy chicken schnitzel, garden plates, kebabs, raw and cooked fish and beef-and-lamb steakhouse options, all described as seed oil-free.

The 57th Street restaurant follows Motek locations at 928 Broadway in Flatiron and 184 Bleecker St. in the West Village, the former Cafe Figaro site. Another Motek is scheduled to open in 2027 at 2178 Broadway at 77th Street on the Upper West Side, replacing Serafina, and a further location is planned for 80 N. Seventh St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Happy Corner's Location Count and Brands

According to akta.pro company records, Happy Corner Hospitality Group operates nine locations with more than four coming soon, spanning South Florida and New York City, and is expanding to Fort Lauderdale, Williamsburg and the Upper West Side. The same records list two brands, Motek and Sesame, with one sub-brand, Yalla. The records also describe a 2026 partnership for a first Broward County location, Motek By The Sea, within the W Fort Lauderdale hotel property.

Fogo de Chao and Texas Roadhouse Expansion Moves

Other restaurant chains have also set expansion plans. Fogo de Chão CEO Barry McGowan said the Dallas chain will reach a ten-figure milestone in 2027 under three-digit expansion targets, American City Business Journals reported on October 27. Texas Roadhouse closed its flagship at Greentree Mall in Clarksville, Texas, after 30 years and planned a new 10,000-square-foot restaurant at 4615 Medical Plaza Way, Yahoo reported on November 3. Outback Steakhouse introduced its "Best Steaks Ever" menu after a $75 million investment, Restaurant Business reported on October 21.

Yalla Motek's January 1 Broadway Debut

Yalla Motek, the group's more casual spot, is set to open January 1 at 1147 Broadway, the first of what Levy hopes will be 20 in New York City. Happy Corner will also roll out a new brand, Sesame Kitchen, in Battery Park. Levy said he is also considering the Upper East Side, adding, "But not yet."