Greek Meze.
Positioned within the coronary heart of Rockefeller Heart is Limani New York, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant. The eatery, helmed by government chef-partner M.J. Alam—beforehand of Estiatorio Milos—highlights contemporary flavors, akin to complete fish flown in each day from the Mediterranean.
Delve into one of many savory, freshly ready complete fish, the refreshing Greek salad, juicy lamb chops, sashimi-quality octopus and extra. Imbibe on the restaurant’s international wines or specialty cocktails, together with the Mango Martini, Passionate Punch, Fig Cosmo and Mediterranean Mule. Certainly, Limani New York delivers contemporary meals in a surprising environment—one created by excessive ceilings, white leather-based seating, a blue infinity pool and a white marble bar.
Right here, Alam—who can also be the consulting chef for the menu at Limani New York’s sister restaurant in Roslyn on Lengthy Island, Limani Roslyn—shares the inspiration behind opening the restaurant, the highest menu highlights, what’s subsequent for Limani New York and extra.
Lisa Kocay: What impressed you to open Limani?
M.J. Alam: “As my specialty is with Mediterranean delicacies and significantly with seafood and contemporary fish, it’s simply so distinctive and a wholesome possibility for these I serve. When friends come to Limani, they see the contemporary fish market and select their fish, and I get to arrange that choice. I don’t do something with an excessive amount of sauce. I wish to serve my friends the very best quality elements so folks can eat wholesome and revel in their meal on the identical time.”
Kocay: Are you able to focus on how the menu is curated?
Alam: “My preparations of Mediterranean delicacies helps folks take pleasure in seafood and complete fish with such alternatives being ready sashimi model, and I really like working with our uncooked bar. Moreover, the tomato salad I picked was particular as I’ve an excellent provider from Canada. This was my specialty at [Estiatorio] Milos. I’m all the time form of creating new concepts from completely different sources based mostly on obtainable elements–the higher the standard of those elements, the much less I’ve to do to create a novel expertise for my friends. No matter I get introduced in each day is what I’ll serve—all the things comes out of our kitchen contemporary.”
Sea Bass.
Inside eating room.
Kocay: How was the drink menu curated?
Alam: “We had members of our veteran group choose wines that they felt paired greatest go together with our Mediterranean delicacies. Having sure elements obtainable, like contemporary squeezed pomegranate for our Persephone cocktail, can also be a giant issue.”
Kocay: What would you take into account a few of the prime menu highlights?
Alam: “Our Tunisian Octopus, the Greek Salad, our Kolokithi, Greek Ceviche after which additionally any the contemporary fish from our market.”
Kocay: What was the inspiration behind the decor of the restaurant?
Alam: “We needed to greatest embody the class of the Greek way of life. We additionally needed to have the inside resemble the Limani seaport in Greece.”
Kocay: What’s subsequent for Limani New York?
Alam: “We’ve simply opened a Limani restaurant in Boston (Chestnut Hill), with one other location coming to Charlotte, N.C. , after which we’re aiming for Boca Raton, Fla.”
Limani New York
45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
(212) 858-9200
