Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Albany

Walked in on Friday evening (9/27/2024) 7:10pm there was an opening on the patio for a table of four. The hostess said I couldn’t take the table because it was for four people and asked if I’d be willing to sit inside. I had two dogs with me so I said I couldnt. She said she’d look into what she could do and I said no problem I’ll wait outside and you can keep me updated. The two people behind me come to the counter next and I watch them go into the indoor dining area and then point to be outside. The hostess then ended up giving the four person table to the two people behind us. Her reasoning was they had a reservation but asked to sit outside so they took priority over us. Felt somewhat unfair because we had been waiting at the front for the hostess to come back and requested the table first. She didn’t offer to put us on a waitlist and was giving us an atmosphere of not feeling welcome at all (we are two people of color as well and we look young - the table was given to an older couple) this was a very awkward experience and made us feel extremely uncomfortable as after telling us the table was given away she looked at us expecting us to just leave. How do I know this? She stared at us, didn’t ask for our names or telephone number didn’t provide a wait time - just walked back into the restaurant.

It’s unfortunate because I’ve dined here multiple times and brought out of town visitors and family here during their slower times (eg 5pm) and have generously supported them. We have overlooked other service issues in the past (eg a server asking if we wanted the bill when we just ordered and sat down) because we enjoyed the food but a restaurant that can’t offer good service and make all customers feel welcome even at their peak hours isn’t a place I can recommend. They should also screen their hostesses better so they actually know how to manage customers and a wait list - seems like a basic requirement. It’s so sad I have to write this review because I hate leaving a negative experience on the internet but unfortunately don’t think I will be coming back again or bringing groups...

Teamwork makes the dream work. Astonishingly good Middle eastern food, made by a gifted, chef named Issa, and served by staff, who really care about what they do. The Bar is great, and some of the house drinks, like the "Arabian nights" designed by brilliant bar manager Kalyan, are just amazing. If you're a first-timer, I recommend The Mashawi combo plate with Beef and Kefta, (ground beef and lamb. you can choose other options) since it was just something to revel in. with perfectly grilled vegetables, and the Kefta was tender and perfect as was the beef with just the right amount of char on it for that grilled taste, and perfect rice, the plate itself visually, was something that could have wound up at the MOMA, but wound up in my tummy. The addition of a glass of Lebanese Ksara red wine, and some "Toum", a sauce very few restaurants in the bay area even try to make, because it cannot really be made without the participation of someone’s grandmother, took this meal into the next lever. Don't sleep on the Toum. For dessert I ordered Baklava, not expecting a perfectly deconstructed Baklava, in 1/2 inch squares, underneath a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream with a minimal ribbon of caramel, To be honest, this is best to tackle with a friend. (Which I did the following week) Finally, I was impressed with the bartender Natasha, who made me a custom tequila drink, (I always test the bartenders by asking them to make me a "fancy schmancy tequila drink" which she did, and killed it with "The Natasha", which was what I started out with. To end my night I had a nice shot of Arak, a liquor from the Levant, which tastes of hints of anise and grape, perfectly ending my night. Zaytoon is a restaurant with chefs on a mission, with a kitchen and staff that have a real heartbeat, and a drink menu you won't find anywhere else.

Prices: Moderate Ambiance: Warm and quiet Food: To die for Staff: Super friendly Overall: 5 stars Highly...

Yikes sorry but this isn't authentic Arabic food that I was hoping for. Fattoush salad was nothing like what we ate in Lebanon, not tangy or acidic enough or even sweet enough from pomegranate molasses or something. Spanakopita wasn't really Greek either, just too overwhelmingly salty. The beet salad was good but nothing special. My husband ordered the mix grilled kabob with kefta and shish tawouk...Persians make a better version of kefta called koubiddeh. Shish tawouk not bad. Glad they have garlic sauce on the side but it's really not garlicky enough. I ordered maklouba which really isn't a maklouba bc the rice was just so plain, no spices or savoriness at all lacking all those warming spices like cinnamon. I was expecting good comfort food but it can't compare to a Palestinian mom's cooking. My mom ordered the mansaf which is supposed to be a traditional Jordanian dish most commonly eaten in the summer. It's as if they boiled the lamb first which took all the flavor out of it or something, usually the white fermented sauce is poured over the lamb and rice. I was too scared to try the kanafa which people would wait out the door around the block for in Amman and in Istanbul as it is served hot and crisp yet stringy melty cheese when you cut into it. The icecream desserts are nothing special, anyone who likes ice cream will like the dessert. I wish they would sell the Syrian Lebanese mastic icecream made of the...