If you’ve ever been to a José Andrés restaurant, you know how good it was. And with the opening of Zaytinya at Caesars Palace, there’s a new culinary adventure awaiting in Las Vegas.
Photo by: Katrina Frederick
Zaytinya opened near the end of May in a big, bright space in the Forum Shops at Caesars, easily accessible from the Strip with close-by valet parking. Inside, you’ll find a gorgeous space accented in assorted blues and sleek woods. Behind the bar is a dynamic curved wall that reminds me of ocean vistas seen through a porthole, with the colors of the Greek evil eye, perfect for enjoying as you sip a cocktail like the Minoan Sour with tsipouro (a Greek, unaged brandy), lemon and olive oil emulsified with egg white, or the Za’atar margarita, a zesty sip of Milagro tequila, orange liqueur, lime and za’atar air.
The mix of Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisines leads to a delicious combination of spices. For instance, za’atar, although seen in many cuisines, is especially present on the Zaytinya menu in such items as the above twist on a margarita, or in appetizers (mezze) like the labneh, a strained Greek yogurt that is a perfect, creamy dip for your pitas. Other dips include hummus accented with harissa chili crisp, and tzatziki with diced cucumber and dill.
Like a tapas bar, mezze take up most of the space on the menu here, encouraging a sharing experience where everyone gets a bite or two of each dish. Order avgotaraho, pressed Greek mullet roe; grilled octopus Santorini with marinated onions and capers; spanakopita with a house-made phyllo; seared halloumi cheese with dates, pomegranate and pistachio; bantijian bil laban, crispy eggplant with turmeric apricots and roasted garlic yogurt; kofte kebab (ground beef), spiced with Turkish marash pepper and tomato ezme; and shish taouk, grilled chicken skewers. Or try the Turkish flatbreads known as pide, topped with sausage and other items.
Photo by: Katrina Frederick
In Las Vegas, you can also get larger mains, something not available at other Zaytinya locations. The chicken muhamarra is a roast half bird with a roasted red pepper and walnut purée, served with tomato-pomegranate salad. Other entrées include lamb chops, grilled salmon, prime beef Mishwi (grilled Creekstone Farms strip loin) and Celebration Rice with spiced, braised chicken and crispy tadig. Family style-options include lamb shoulder, whole sea bass or a kebab platter, so everyone can get their favorite.
After dinner, indulge in an espresso or a traditional Turkish coffee, accompanied by Greek yogurt and cherries or olive oil cake.
Two things you may want to try at Zaytinya—Mezze Óra, where happy hour meets the Mediterranean, and the Chef’s Experience at dinner:
• From 5-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, try three types of pide for a special price, three specialty cocktails and two beers in the bar and lounge.
• The Chef’s Experience brings a tasting menu-type dinner for $90 per person, and the dishes will just keep coming. It’s a great way to try more dishes than you might otherwise order.
The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.893.3807. zaytinya.com
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