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Zaytinya

On my list for a while I finally got to visit this Greek Mezza restaurant as part of Restaurant Week.  A place where vegetarians and vegans can eat very well I found so much on the menu to try that one would need a half dozen more trips to sample it all.  The Mezza, like Spanish Tapas, are small plates and ideally you should go with friends so that you can experience different dishes.  Unfortunately my restaurant mates are on the road so solo it was.  I wasn't disappointed.  The Prix Fixe menu allowed me to get three plates and a dessert.  I selected the Fattoush, Piyaz and the Falafel with Turkish Delight for dessert.  The Fattoush was just the kind of dish I like -- an amazing mix of flavors and textures which dance with every bite.  There was the tang of the dressing and onion, placed over paper-thin slices of radish, combining with the crunch of the green peppers, cucumbers, pita chips and the sweetness of tomatoes and pomegranate seeds.  The Piyaz followed and was a perfect dish on a cold day.  Large warm beans and kale were topped with plentiful herbs, although the garlic and tomato listed in the description seemed to be absent.  The Falafel was quite good and balanced the flavor of seasonings with the chickpeas, although I was reminded of how much I enjoyed the unique Tahini at Shouk.  There were some shredded radishes and microgreens with the Falafel which were a good match.  I paired the last two dishes with the light, WARM pita bread, served with olive oil and pomegranate molasses (artfully shaped into a "Z" under the oil).  The Turkish Delight, capping the meal, was true to its name.  Again, a myriad of complex flavors intermingled to create a dish which was "just sweet enough" to be cloying and not overwhelming.  I savored each slow bite.  Service was outstanding and seemed to be a team approach -- everyone passing my table, waiter to busboy, gave it a glance and jumped in if necessary.  My water glass was always filled and empty dishes cleared promptly (the staff asked each time if it was okay to clear -- THANK YOU).  The space itself feels bright and airy with a blue and white interior and floor to ceiling windows.  The water wall near the entrance was particularly eye-catching and soothing.  Less impressive was the piped in music (which everyone seems to do these days).  Fortunately it was repetitive sounds and faded into the background.  The wood tables and chairs also seemed to be showing some wear, with dings, etc.  This was more evident in the ladies' restroom, which had stall doors which were banged up and soap dispensers which didn't work.  Aside from these very minor issues, it was a terrific experience and I will be back.  One goes to a good restaurant for the food and this restaurant succeeded admirably.  Bottom line:  I left pleasantly full but not overly stuffed.  Healthy, engaging food. 

High-end Greek Mezza Restaurant
DC location (there is one in Texas, as well):  701 9th St., NW
https://www.zaytinya.com/

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