"Opto is a Mediterranean restaurant in the former Periyali space, and it’s from the same team behind that Greek restaurant. You might sit next to someone at the bar who used to be a regular, and misses the moussaka. But Opto’s charred octopus makes up for any lack of bechamel. The grill-marked tentacle luxuriates on a bed of aioli and soft potato chunks, brightened up with a splash of sherry vinegar. But anyone who watched My Octopus Teacher a little too recently can go for a gem lettuce salad with a heavy handed amount of dill, or a simple tagliolini al limone. The big booths and general lack of windows make Opto a cooler, less corporate-feeling post-work option than some of the other restaurants in Flatiron. Keep it in mind for a group who finally made it to Thursday, and would like to celebrate that. Or swing by solo for a three-olive martini at the bar, and make a meal of the free bar snacks. There’s pecorino popcorn, mixed nuts, and fried, feta-stuffed olives. photo credit: Noah Fecks photo credit: Noah Fecks Pause Unmute" - Willa Moore