Grape Festival at Zaytinya and Free Wine Tasting

Samy K, Lisa Shapiro, Michael Costa, Me

José Andrés’ and his team at award winning mezze restaurant Zaytinya, led by Head Chef Michael Costa, are hosting a special two-week festival celebrating the grape, an iconic ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine, from November 14-27. The Grape Festival is designed to highlight the fruit with different variations including, raisins, brined grapes, fresh grapes in different forms, grape vine leaves, and dishes that benefit from smoking over grape vine trimmings. Michael Costa will offer special grape inspired dishes during the festival.

Cocktail fans can look forward to the Turkish inspired Bacchanalia created by ThinkfoodGroup’s Lead Bartender, Owen Thompson. This special cocktail combines grape, lemon, rumble and bitters for a modern twist on the traditional Sira, a popular non-alcoholic drink made primarily of fermented grape. "Bacchanalia" were wild and mystic festivals of the Greco-Roman god Bacchus (or Dionysos), the wine god.

To celebrate the new additions to the wine menu, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary wine tasting with Sonata Wine on Monday, November 14^th and Monday, November 21^st from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

Highlights of Zaytinya's special menu items during the two week festival:

Garides me Ouzo

Shrimp flamed in Ouzo, roasted grapes, green olives, dill   $12

 Kavouras me Agourido

Jumbo lump crab, green apple and grape salad, Greek yogurt, chilled green grape broth   $15

Lamb Chops Agourides

Grilled lamb rack chops, white wine reduction sauce, roasted grapes, honey cap mushrooms   $18

Grape granita, orange blossom yogurt cream, fresh grapes, candied citrus   Mezze Style $4, Full Portion $8

On November 22^nd, Zaytinya will host 5-course wine dinner featuring special dishes and perfectly paired wines for $85 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity). In addition to enjoying sweet and savory dishes, dinner guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the new wines directly from Sonata Wine. 

 Zaytinya is located at 701 9^th St., NW, Washington, DC, in the heart of the Penn Quarter.