Los Angeles' New Mediterranean Restaurant 🌯🇬🇷🇹🇷

Since the closure of SLS's Bazaar, the José Andrés Group has opened a new Mediterranean restaurant in West LA called Zaytinya – which means "olive oil" in Turkish. And indeed, the essence of olive oil flows through the entire dining experience, from cocktails and dips to mains and desserts, all embracing the gifts of the Mediterranean ☀️. Located on the ground floor of the Hyatt Shay Hotel in Culver City, this is the fourth Zaytinya in the U.S. I visited on opening day, especially missing the yogurt from Trés by Andres and the foie gras soup from Bazaar – excited to see what specialties the new spot would bring! The vibe here is relaxed, with a diverse crowd – clinking glasses and lively chatter make you feel like you're somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. 🥂 Saw several furry friends on the outdoor patio – definitely pet-friendly! 🐶 The dishes instantly whisk you away to Santorini and Istanbul! Portions are tapas-style, not too large. Highly recommended are the wood-grilled lamb chops and grilled octopus legs! Almost every grilled item carries a beautiful smoky aroma – charred on the outside, tender inside, with bold spices. The only downside: a bit on the salty side. But pair it with rich yogurt sauce and free-refill pita bread – each bite is pure joy! 🫓✨ 🍷 Minoan Sour: A surprising combo of egg white brandy and olive oil – unexpectedly delicious! 🍖 Grilled Lamb Chop: Only two small chops – wish there were more! 🐙 Octopus Santorini: Really reminiscent of dishes from the island – served with bean purée and capers, the marinated octopus leg is flavorful and perfectly charred. 🍆 Bantijian bil laban: Fried eggplant, soft on the inside. 🥗 Maroulosalata: Their greens are sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market – very fresh, but the dressing was a bit too tangy for my taste. 🍢 Kofte Kebab: A generous and satisfying kebab plate. 🍮 Greek Yogurt Pear: A dessert with multiple layers – Turkish ice cream, Greek yogurt, and pear jelly – not overly sweet. Have you been to Zaytinya yet? What’s your favorite Mediterranean dish in LA? Share your go-to spots below! 👇🇬🇷 #LAEats #MediterraneanFood #LosAngeles #Michelin #LARestaurantExploration #LosAngelesFood #CulverCity #TurkishKebab #GreekYogurt #Zaytinya #OliveOilLover #TapasStyle #GrilledGoodness #FoodTravel #PetFriendly #NewRestaurantAlert #FoodieReview #JoséAndrés #SantoriniVibes #IstanbulEats