When we visited Zaytinya in Washington DC back in 2018, I ended up regretting that it did not have an outpost in New York City. Well, this gap has been closed since July last year and it seems that this place does not stop getting full with a crowd eager to try some Mediterranean cuisine served mainly tapas style.

This is a big and bustling restaurant located in the Ritz Carlton, dominated by their beautiful bar that was crowded all evening and from which we got a glass of Arak El Massaya for me and a lemonatha for Jodi, a non-alcoholic beverage made with lemon, cardamon, fenugreek and club soda.

We decided to share few plates, the waiter recommending one from each section and started with labneh that we ate with their fluffy pita that is fantastic, as well as some cucumber and carrot.

Another starter was their seared halloumi that came with dates, pomegranate, pistachio and citrus. Do not expect the flaming halloumi that you sometimes get in Greek restaurants: this one was simply seared, but still sublime, eating it with the various components from the dish that either gave texture or acidity.

This was followed by the crispy eggplant or Bantijian Bil Laban, that was served with garlic yogurt, turmeric, apricots, and walnuts. Delightfully crispy and cooked all the way through, it was not bitter and not greasy at all.

For her main, Jodi went for their charred eggplant pie, a mediterranean version of flatbread, while I chose two dishes: lamb baharat that is a spiced rubbed leg of lamb kebab served with tabouleh and tahini sauce, as well as Garides Me Anitho or sautéed shrimp with a sauce made with shallots, mustard and lemon juice. The lamb was perfectly cooked, flavorful, the tahini adding some nuttiness to the overall dish. I did not expect the sautéed shrimp to be smothered by that sauce, but it was really good and I dipped a bit of pita in it…

Charred eggplant pide at Zaytinya in NYC, NY

Of course, we could not leave without dessert and could not resist trying their kunefe that I ate with a medium-sweet Turkish coffee. The dessert was a bit disappointing, being a bit dry.

Still, we had a great meal. The dishes at Zaytinya are small and it is a bit pricey, but the food is amazing there with so many choices, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, that it is a bit overwhelming to pick as you do not want to miss out. This great outpost from Chef Jose Andres is sublime so a reservation is recommended.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Zaytinya - 1185 Broadway, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat!