Dear Margo:
Thank you for being so deliciously fabulous.

In case you have not been following the dining scene, Mediterranean cuisine has invaded America, competing with the plethora of trendy Indian and Korean establishments and outpacing them as the new flavor sensation.

Dear Margo, located on the upper east side of New York City does it way better than the competition…Motek, Malka, Elea, to name just a few.

Dear Margo is named after owner Dean Pashalis Greek grandmother. In Greek, Margo translates to pearl, reflecting his vision of making the Levantine restaurant a neighborhood gem.

The restaurant occupies an intimate corner spot between East 69th and 70th Street and Lexington Avenue. It is a challenging reservation to secure, but worth the effort.

We were warmly greeted and promptly seated inside on a hot and humid June day  The patio doors were open with the AC on and it was quite comfortable.

Our delightful server, Sophia, guided us astutely through the appealing menu created by Chef Efraim Naon, a Levant-born veteran of Motek, Taboon, Frena and Barbounia.

The lively East Mediterranean and Levantine newcomer focuses on fresh breads, vibrant spreads, salads, and skewers, doing it exceptionally well.

We began with a Cucumber Yogurt spread accompanied by warm, pillowy Laffa bread that arrived at the table looking innocent enough despite the attractive gold scissors on steroids ($13).

Once you start tearing into that bread and scooping up the cool, creamy spread, that thankfully was not overwhelmed as it usually is by garlic, all thoughts of moderation disappeared. It was a truly outstanding, refreshingly satisfying dip…can’t wait to return to sample the Grilled Halloumi ($15) and Grilled Artichokes ($18).

Every Mediterranean menu offers Zucchini Cakes/Latkes. Dear Margo’s are made with potatoes, zucchini, EVOO, yogurt and crushed tomatoes. Margo’s are thick and crispy and far superior to others ($16).

One main was salmon skewers served with Basmati rice and a house salad accompanied by a sauce of your choice. Perfectly cooked, lightly charred, and bursting with flavor, they managed the rare feat of feeling both healthy and indulgent ($29).

The 1000 Layers Arayes skewers prepared with a mix of Beef and Colorado Lamb with pita, tahini and harissa aioli was equally impressive. The meat was tender, flavorful, rich in taste and proof that someone in the kitchen understands that a skewer is not merely a cooking technique, but a sacred trust ($26).

And then there was dessert.

A yogurt-based creation topped with marmalade that somehow felt light, rich, refreshing, and decadent all at once. It was the sort of dessert that causes everyone at the table to insist they are just having one bite before quietly reaching for another spoonful.

The atmosphere strikes a sweet Upper East Side balance of polished without being pretentious. Service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

There are restaurants that try very hard to impress you, and then there are restaurants that simply feed you so well that you stop talking and start plotting your return visit.

Dear Margo delivers exactly what good Mediterranean cooking should…fresh ingredients, dynamic flavors, and food that leaves you feeling satisfied.

Dear Margo 961 Lexington Avenue New York City. Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm. Reservations on Resy.