A Restaurant Delivering Fresh Flavors Of Mediterranean Cuisine

Positioned in the heart of Rockefeller Centre is Limani New York, an upscale Mediterranean cafe. The eatery, helmed by government chef-spouse M.J. Alam—previously of Estiatorio Milos—highlights fresh flavors, this kind of as whole fish flown in every day from the Mediterranean.

Delve into one particular of the savory, freshly ready complete fish, the refreshing Greek salad, juicy lamb chops, sashimi-good 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. In truth, Limani New York delivers fresh food in a beautiful atmosphere—one designed by higher ceilings, white leather-based seating, a blue infinity pool and a white marble bar.

Below, Alam—who is also the consulting chef for the menu at Limani New York’s sister cafe in Roslyn on Long Island, Limani Roslyn—shares the inspiration driving opening the restaurant, the best menu highlights, what’s upcoming for Limani New York and more.

Lisa Kocay: What encouraged you to open Limani?

M.J. Alam: “As my specialty is with Mediterranean cuisine and especially with seafood and fresh fish, it is just so distinctive and a healthier solution for all those I serve. When guests arrive to Limani, they see the fresh new fish market and decide on their fish, and I get to get ready that range. I really don’t do anything with as well significantly sauce. I want to serve my attendees the most effective good quality components so individuals can eat healthful and get pleasure from their food at the similar time.”

Kocay: Can you go over how the menu is curated?

Alam: “My preparations of Mediterranean delicacies will help people get pleasure from seafood and full fish with these picks becoming ready sashimi design, and I really like operating with our raw bar. Additionally, the tomato salad I picked was distinctive as I have a fantastic provider from Canada. This was my specialty at [Estiatorio] Milos. I’m normally sort of building new thoughts from different resources centered on available ingredients–the greater the excellent of these components, the a lot less I have to do to produce a unique encounter for my guests. Whichever I get introduced in on a everyday foundation is what I will serve—everything arrives out of our kitchen area refreshing.”

Kocay: How was the consume menu curated?

Alam: “We experienced customers of our veteran crew decide on wines that they felt paired best go with our Mediterranean delicacies. Acquiring selected substances offered, like fresh squeezed pomegranate for our Persephone cocktail, is also a massive variable.”

Kocay: What would you consider some of the leading menu highlights?

Alam: “Our Tunisian Octopus, the Greek Salad, our Kolokithi, Greek Ceviche and then also any the new fish from our marketplace.”

Kocay: What was the inspiration guiding the decor of the cafe?

Alam: “We wished to very best embody the class of the Greek lifestyle. We also required to have the inside resemble the Limani seaport in Greece.”

Kocay: What’s following for Limani New York?

Alam: “We’ve just opened a Limani restaurant in Boston (Chestnut Hill), with yet another area coming to Charlotte, N.C. , and then we’re aiming for Boca Raton, Fla.”

Limani New York

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

(212) 858-9200