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

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 1 of 3

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 2 of 3

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 3 of 3

Crispy Brussels Afelia (brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt)

Complimentary Pita Bread

Baba Ghannouge (fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic)

Horta Salata (kale salad, smoked olives, fava Santorini, ladolemono, pistachios)

Shish Taouk (grilled chicken thighs, sumac, onions, garlic tuom, grilled tomatoes)

Garides Me Anitho (sautéed shrimp, dill, shallots, mustard, lemon juice)

Adana Kebab (ground lamb, house-made harissa, grilled tomatoes, sumac, onions, pickled chilies)

Sea Scallops (yogurt-dill sauce, cucumber, radish)

Urfa Biftek (grilled hanger steak, tomato pepper ezme, pomegranate molasses)

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

Nando's Peri Peri - Washington, DC

What's NEXT: Nando's Peri Peri is one of my favorite restaurants in the DC area. It's offers delicious Portuguese style chicken at a very affordable price. 

What makes this place so awesome is the great chicken and the sauces. The chicken comes tender with a crust and packed with flavor. They also offer plenty of sauces from spicy, extra spicy, garlic spicy etc. I love dipping my chicken into these sauces.

Typically, I'll get a half chicken with 2 sides in my meal. For sides, I'll usually get the rice and garlic bread. Once in a while, I'll get the mashed potatoes. 

I'd say with the comparable restaurants in Chinatown, Nandos is a steal and offers some of the best food around. I've been to this place at least 10 time and service/food has always been exceptional.

They have locations in Chinatown, Dupont Circle, and Pentagon City, VA.

If you love chicken and spicy sauces, you've got to make your way to Nandos!

5/5

Sauces

1/4 Chicken with Sides

Dining Area