Fandi Mata

"The selling point of Fandi Mata is its space. In fact, this would be a wonderful venue for a private party of any kind. The ceilings soar. Everything seems to orbit around a drooping disco ball. Palm fronds provide privacy. Lighting and playlists are taken seriously. We’d bet that almost everyone who walks through the door for the first time says something like, “What a space.” photo credit: Fandi Mata photo credit: Fandi Mata photo credit: Fandi Mata photo credit: Fandi Mata photo credit: Fandi Mata The broadly Mediterranean spot is romantic in a fun, Friday night kind of way. Come here to have a drink or two and maybe split some perfectly fine pizza and pasta, and a nicely cooked half chicken. This is a handy starting point for a night out in Williamsburg that doesn’t necessitate much advanced planning. Food Rundown Chicory Salad A nice salad to kick things off. We’d like to thank whoever thought of putting brown butter in vinaigrette. It goes nicely with the classic blue cheese and pear combo. Classic Hummus It’s hummus! With a little za’atar on top. Nothing special here. Roasted Prawns If you’re on a date, this is a charming dish to share two ways. There are six prawns to an order, and they’re swimming in citrusy calabrian chili sauce. It’s served with bread, which is thoughtful. Baked Paccheri You’ve had this marriage of tomato sauce, eggplant, and mozzarella before, and if you want to have it again, it will neither disappoint nor wow. photo credit: Fandi Mata Half Roasted Chicken Exactly what you’re imagining—a juicy half-chicken. Served with cheese broccoli rabe and a healthy pool of jus. Order this. photo credit: Fandi Mata Branzino Not served on the bone, which honestly makes it easy to eat this daintily. We like the glazed carrots and fennel that come on the side." - Arden Shore

"This two-story Mediterranean restaurant on Bayard Street in Williamsburg has a heated outdoor patio perfect for some grilled octopus and croquetas outside while you drink a Botanist & Tonic." - team infatuation

"Plant-filled Mexican restaurant Fandi Mata has opened a separate space on its mezzanine level called Mezcaleria Bar." - Emma Orlow

"In Brooklyn, Fandi Mata’s soaring warehouse space is adorned with Moroccan tiles and filled with potted palms for a Mediterranean-meets-industrial vibe." - Laura Fenton

"Housed in a converted ambulance-repair shop across from McCarren Park, this lounge–slash–tapas restaurant is an over-the-top postindustrial jungle, decked out with Moroccan tiles and overrun with palm fronds. (There is also a disco ball and, on weekend nights, a rotating cast of DJs.) The twist, though, is that the food is excellent, from an heirloom-tomato salad with lemon-tahini crema to the Roman-style pizza, paper-thin and pleasantly chewy. It’s not exactly clear where Fandi Mata (“to connect” in Romani) is trying to take you — somewhere “global” — but after a creative cocktail or two, it’s clear you have arrived. —Rachel T. Sugar" - Eater Staff, NYMag Staff