Best Thing We Ate This Week in DC: Octopus Santorini at Zaytinya

Photo Credit: Greg Powers & Audrey Crewe

By Olga Boikess

Among the many reasons why José Andrés’ Penn Quarter Greek/Med Zaytinya is high on most must-try lists is its ability to satisfy diners of all ages and appetites, as well as its open-on-holidays policy. And so, this past Labor Day, after entertaining a friend’s young girls (ages 9 and 11) at the nearby International Spy Museum, we settled into its sleek soaring space for lunch.

Pillows of fresh from the oven pitas and hummus started the meal of mezze (small plates).  While the youngsters devoured crispy fried squid, we opted for one of its signature dishes, octopus Santorini. Its presentation looks as good as it tastes. Perfectly grilled sections of the cephalopod are perched on a yellow split pea purée, garnished with marinated onions and capers. The sweet onions cooked in wine, the vinegary pop of the capers and the strong mustardy purée deliciously complement the smokey seafood.

The girls were intrigued by a rose themed dessert featuring an ice-cream that tasted like rosebuds, along with raspberry purée and chocolate custard. It was a charming ending to the meal.

701 Ninth St.; 202-638-0800