The Upper East Side has been described as many things, but only recently has “cool” been added to the list of adjectives. We’ve said it before: it’s like Uptown is the new Downtown with the level of restaurants opening north of 60th Street. So, when Dear Margo arrived, we had high hopes of a Motek-level restaurant in our back pocket on the Upper East. Because every neighborhood needs a restaurant like Dear Margo — the kind of place you can walk into on a Tuesday without a plan and leave happy enough. But does Dear Margo hit the mark? This is the first look review.

Atmosphere

The location of Dear Margo is prime, right on the corner of Lexington and 70th, with glass doors that fully open the dining room to the street. They’ve filled that outdoor space with colorful French-style brasserie chairs, adding a charming atmosphere to the neighborhood.

Inside, apparently Dear Margo is the place to be. The room has a warmth to it — which is the draw that you want from a neighborhood spot. It’s lively without being loud, and polished enough without feeling stuffy. Dear Margo works equally well for a casual first date, a solo dinner at the bar, or a full family table with the whole crew.

Food + Beverage

The food at Dear Margo is exactly as it’s described on the menu, or what you would expect of the dish. There’s nothing that is notably creative or unique about the fairly traditional Levantine dishes. Compared to a neighborhood contemporary like Motek, which knocks its food out of the park, Dear Margo’s kitchen is good — but not exceptional.

Maybe it’s not fair to compare Dear Margo and Motek, but I’m going to do it anyway. The difference between the two comes down to seasoning and execution. Where Motek makes magic with their fluffy laffa and hummus that tastes so fresh, I wasn’t blown away or even mildly excited by anything I tried at Dear Margo. The spreads arrive at the table straight away, which is a nice touch logistically. They’re premade, as they should be for that kind of quick turnaround, but they don’t taste like the best ingredients are part of the plan. Dish for dish in comparing Motek and Dear Margo, it’s not even a close comparison.

First, The Basics

So, back to my assessment of the food at Dear Margo. We tried an assortment of the meze, including all the dips and their version of laffa. The high point first; the food is beautifully presented and colorful. Laffa, the traditional Middle Eastern bread, is brought out with a pretty pair of scissors to cut through. However, as I mentioned, the food falls flat in texture and flavor. The beet hummus, for example, was just heavy and a little too dry. The laffa was flat, literally and figuratively.

Dishes That Didn’t Work

The crispy maitake mushrooms were dripped with honey, chili and a side of guacamole, which honestly just confused me. I normally like the blend of flavors, but this was just trying too hard. The guacamole was another example of not being as fresh as I would expect. It was as if it had been sitting out too long.

There hasn’t been a rakakat (which is a traditional Lebanese cheese roll) that I haven’t loved. Dear Margo’s version of this was the spinach and feta cigars, which weren’t crisp enough. At that point, I just wanted the food to stop. I know that the other reviews online are off the charts, but I just didn’t get the food at Dear Margo. With that said, though, the food wasn’t so bad that I wouldn’t return. I just would focus more on drinking rather than eating, if a friend picked the spot.

Service

The service at Dear Margo is nice enough. The team is friendly, attentive and efficient, though not necessarily the reason you would come. With that said, it’s additive to the sum of all the parts that would draw you back to Dear Margo as a neighborhood restaurant if you’re on the Upper East Side.

Overall: 7.4/10

 Dear Margo is a welcome addition if you happen to be nearby. It is not, however, a place worth crossing the city for.

FAQs

Q: Where is Dear Margo NYC located? 

A: Dear Margo NYC is located at 961 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021.

Q: What are the hours of operation of Dear Margo NYC? 

A: The hours of operation of Dear Margo NYC are as follows:

Q: Is Dear Margo NYC good for a group or a family?

A: Yes Dear Margo NYC is good for a group.  The Dear Margo NYC room and atmosphere are versatile for dates, solo diners, and larger groups.

Q: How does Dear Margo NYC compare to Motel?

A: Atmosphere-wise, they’re both strong neighborhood options. On food, Motek is the clear standout.

Q: Should I make a special trip for Dear Margo NYC ?

A: Not necessary. This is a restaurant best enjoyed if you’re already in the neighborhood.

Q: Is the outdoor seating worth at Dear Margo NYC requesting?

A: Yes — it’s one of the restaurant’s better features and adds to the bright, buzzy energy of the room.