Zaytinya. Washington. District of Columbia. 1.12.2015 & 1.17.2015.

Right across the street from the National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum is this fantastic restaurant. It was so good that I ate there twice, much like my repeated visits to the galleries. They serve Mediterranean small plates.

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001 202.638.0800

Chicken Soup Avgolemono
roasted chicken, 63° egg, local kale

Crispy Brussels Afelia
Brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt

Sea Scallops
carrot, molasses, yogurt, orange, harissa

Octopus Santorini
grilled Mediterranean octopus, marinated onions, capers, yellow split pea purée

Arayes
Grilled ground lamb and tahini stuffed pita, garlic-yogurt

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

Turkish coffee