#nextstopDC: Restaurant Week 2013: Zaytinya

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Restaurant Week 2013: Zaytinya - Washington, DC

What's NEXT: Our first stop for DC Restaurant week was Zaytinya. My friends and I have been here before (earlier 2013), but the food was so good that we had to come back again. It’s a Greek/Mediterranean tapas restaurant owned by celebrity chef Jose Andres. Seemingly, it’s the amazing flavors of the brussels sprouts, succulent lamb or the complimentary pita bread that keep me thinking about this place.

At Zaytinya, the Restaurant Week menu consisted of 4 courses and a dessert.

1^st Course: Baba Ghannouge (fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic), Horta Salata (kale salad, smoked olives, fava Santorini, ladolemono, pistachios)

2^nd Course: Crispy Brussels Afelia (brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt), Shish Taouk (grilled chicken thighs, sumac, onions, garlic tuom, grilled tomatoes)

3^rd Course: Garides Me Anitho (sautéed shrimp, dill, shallots, mustard, lemon juice), Adana Kebab (ground lamb, house-made harissa, grilled tomatoes, sumac, onions, pickled chilies)

4^th Course: Urfa Biftek (grilled hanger steak, tomato pepper ezme, pomegranate molasses), Sea Scallops (yogurt-dill sauce, cucumber, radish)

Dessert: Turkish Delight (walnut ice cream, yogurt mousse, honey gelee, orange-caramel sauce, caramelized pine nuts)

The food was excellent, full of flavor, and the service was on point. Greek/The Mediterranean flavors were great and you can taste the additions of lemon and overall zesty flavor in the food. Presentation was excellent as well.

5/5 Stars