Zaytinya, the tapas restaurant in Washington D.C., has a far reaching reputation. Zaytinya is consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Washington D.C., in sources such as Washingtonian.com, ZAGAT and more. But what makes Zaytinya one of the best restaurants in Washington D.C.? Or perhaps the better question: is Zaytinya actually one of the best restaurants in Washington D.C. as judged from an impartial lover of food and drink such as myself?
I am forced to conclude after my trip to Zaytinya that it absolutely is one of the best restaurants in Washington D.C. Washington D.C. residents and travelers alike can now enjoy a consistently growing selection of tapas restaurants. Chain tapas restaurants such as Jaleo and La Tasca are abundant in the area, as are a slew of other tapas restaurants ranging in scale from casual to exclusive and pricey. Zaytinya however, comprises a league of its own, completely apart from the vast selection of tapas restaurants in Washington D.C. with their attention to detail, creative and wonderfully tasting tapas, high quality service and trendy but un-intimidating atmosphere.
Unlike so many of the best restaurants in Washington D.C., no strict dress code is enforced at Zaytinya. This makes it a great tapas restaurant for any occasion, even just to grab a drink or a quick bite before a trip to the adjacent Verizon Center for a game or event. Yet you won’t be out of place or out of company if you dress in your best for a memorable evening and special treat.
Zaytinya is constantly packed, however they only take a limited amount of reservations. One best bet to beat the crowd is to seek out at a table at the bar. Put your name down on the list and then take a peak at the bar area. If you see an opening, grab it! You can enjoy the full menu of delicious tapas from the bar and bar tables. Plus, the elevated bar area allows you take in the entire restaurant and enjoy the scene. You can gaze outside and people watch or turn your attention to the open kitchen and watch as your tapas are being carefully and artfully prepared. Of course, another perk to being at the bar is your proximity to their drink selection.
Serving up Mediterranean tapas, Zaytinya stays true to those roots. Almost their entire wine selection comes from Greece and they have a solid selection of ouzo as well. Their famous Pom-Fili cocktail is a treat and can be ordered by the glass or in a pitcher for the table. One drink that surprisingly did not live up to expectations was the blueberry and basil martini, of which neither flavor stood out or impressed.
When you go to the Zaytinya though, it has to be all about the tapas. The tapas at Zaytinya are unique, innovative and absolutely, mouth-wateringly delicious. Some uncommon ingredients you can expect to find frequently interspersed amongst their tapas include apricots, pistachios pine nuts. The apricot and carrot fritters for example, combine all three of those flavors with an almost slow roasted smokiness.
The swordfish kebab is cooked to perfection; seared with just the right amount of crunchiness as you bite into the juicy, tender pieces of fish. The lamb and beef sausages are intertwined with a set of seasonings that gives them a taste you are unlikely to find anywhere else in Washington D.C. and make them one of the standout tapas to order at Zaytinya.
The falafels are traditional and flavored well, have great texture and can be stuffed into the warm, puffy bread served at every table. How I lasted this long without mentioning the bread, I don’t know. The house made, puffy pita bread is great for dipping into all of their marvelous sauces or for snacking on with a round of drinks while waiting for your tapas to come out.
The waiters at Zaytinya are well versed in their menus and their drink offerings. Feel free to ask away as they will be more than happy to point you in the direction of their favorite tapas. The waiters can also suggest great wine pairings with your tapas or with a desert and will even offer up off-the-menu deserts or specials upon your prodding.
A meal at Zaytinya does not have to be an expensive affair. Keep your drinks in check and order 4 or 5 tapas (for 2 people) and you will leave pleasantly stuffed – in both your stomach and your wallet. Zaytinya exceeded its enormous reputation as one of the best restaurants in Washington D.C. Zaytinya is an affordable treat, an escape from the mundane and a tapas restaurant that you can no longer avoid visiting. Alongside the tapas restaurants in Washington D.C. it stands alone at the top and alongside all of the best restaurants in Washington D.C., Zaytinya still manages to stand out, having certainly earned its place in that exclusive group.
