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Zaytinya
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Zaytinya
8.1
José Andrés Group brings Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese mezze to Culver City with polished service inside The Shay hotel. Wood-fired preparations and traditional spreads deliver solid Mediterranean flavors, though dishes can lean mild and require sauce support despite bold ingredient lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Lamb Shoulder, Mezze Spreads, Whole Grilled Fish
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: José Andrés Group pedigree with DC import bringing elevated Eastern Mediterranean
Who should go: Hotel guests, business diners, celebration dinners seeking upscale mezze
When to visit: Dinner reservations recommended, hotel guests for convenience
What to order: Mezze spreads with endless pita, wood-fired lamb, cocktails
Insider tip: Mezze portions are small for the price
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available at The Shay hotel ($15), limited street parking on Washington Blvd - arrive 10 min early
Dress code: Business casual to dressy - hotel setting elevates expectations, jeans ok if paired with blazer or nice top
Noise level: Moderate to lively - high ceilings amplify crowd buzz, expect to lean in slightly during peak dinner
Weekend wait: Reservations essential - walk-ins quoted 60-90 min, bar seating sometimes available
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, 10-15 min max without reservation
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - mezze-forward menu means 60% vegetarian including hummus varieties, falafel, grilled vegetables
Vegan options: Good options - most mezze can be made vegan, staff knowledgeable about modifications, skip the yogurt-based dips
Gluten-free options: Limited but doable - rice-based dishes available, but endless pita is the star here so experience diminishes
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially early dates where you want to impress - sophisticated atmosphere without pretension, mezze-style dining creates natural conversation moments over sharing plates, though pricey for casual courtship
Can I get a table without a reservation? Tough on weekends - try bar seating or arrive right at 5pm opening. Weekday lunches and early weeknight dinners (before 6:30pm) have better walk-in odds. Hotel guests get priority.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for well-behaved kids 8+ at lunch or early dinner - mezze format works for picky eaters, but upscale hotel vibe and price point don't reward chaos. No kids' menu, expect $15-20 minimum per child.
How does it compare to José Andrés' other restaurants? More polished than Jaleo but less adventurous than Minibar - solid execution of greatest hits rather than boundary-pushing. DC transplant energy translated well to LA hotel setting.
Is the endless pita actually endless? Yes, and it's the MVP - hot, pillowy, and unlimited with mezze orders. Server brings fresh rounds throughout meal. Pro tip: pace yourself or you'll fill up before mains arrive.
Best For
Better for: Polished Mediterranean experience with name-brand reliability - beats neighborhood Greek spots on service and cocktails, ideal when you need something that feels special without boutique restaurant quirks. Hotel location means consistent execution.
Skip if: You want bold, punchy flavors - dishes lean mild despite ingredient lists and need sauce support. Also skip if budget-conscious ($$$$), seeking hidden gem cred, or avoiding hotel restaurant energy. Bavel delivers more flavor complexity at similar price point.
Zaytinya
8.3
José Andrés' Turkish-Greek-Lebanese mezze concept brings sophisticated Eastern Mediterranean flavors to The Shay Hotel with housemade pita, wood-fired kebabs, and mezze plates. The upscale setting features beautiful blue-toned interiors, though some dishes don't quite match the DC flagship's execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Za'atar Pide, Crispy Eggplant with Laban, Turkish Coffee Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Celebrity chef José Andrés' first Greek-focused LA outpost in boutique hotel setting
Who should go: Date night seekers and mezze enthusiasts with upscale budgets
When to visit: Dinner reservations, especially Friday-Saturday for full experience
What to order: Multiple mezze to share, za'atar pide, any kebab platter
Insider tip: Endless warm pita baskets are complimentary - perfect for all the dips
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available at The Shay Hotel ($15), street parking on Washington Blvd challenging after 6pm, paid lot half block east
Dress code: Smart casual preferred - nice jeans acceptable but most diners dress up for the upscale setting
Noise level: Moderate to lively - can hold conversation but expect ambient energy, especially weekends
Weekend wait: Reservation essential - walk-ins unlikely Friday-Saturday, 30-45 min bar wait possible
Weekday lunch: No lunch service - dinner only
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - majority of mezze menu is vegetarian, including spreads, grilled vegetables, and pides
Vegan options: Good options - many mezze naturally vegan (hummus, baba ghanoush), request dairy-free modifications
Gluten-free options: Limited - most dishes feature pita, but grilled meats and some vegetable mezze work, notify server
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - romantic blue-toned ambiance, shareable mezze format encourages interaction, upscale enough to impress without being stuffy. Request booth seating for intimacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weeknights maybe with 30-45 min bar wait, but weekends require advance booking. The bar serves full menu if you're flexible on seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Teens fine, under 10 challenging - upscale hotel setting with later dining crowd, no kids menu, small plates format may not appeal to young children. Better for family dinners with older kids.
How much should I budget per person? Plan $60-80 per person with 3-4 mezze, a kebab, and drinks. Mezze are $12-18 each, mains $28-42.
Is it worth the price compared to other Mediterranean spots? Premium pricing reflects José Andrés name and hotel location. Food quality is strong but some dishes don't match the DC flagship - you're paying partly for ambiance and brand. More casual Greek spots deliver similar flavors for less.
Best For
Better for: Date nights requiring impressive ambiance, upscale mezze variety, Turkish-Greek-Lebanese fusion not found elsewhere in Culver City, hotel bar scene for pre/post-dinner drinks
Skip if: You want authentic neighborhood Greek (try Souvla), best value Mediterranean (Zankou), or José Andrés at peak form (worth visiting DC location instead)
Zaytinya
8.3
José Andrés' Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese mezze concept brings bold Eastern Mediterranean flavors to Culver City's The Shay hotel. Wood-fired kebabs, housemade spreads, and endless puffed pita bread anchor a menu that balances authentic technique with refined hotel dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hommus with warm pita, Wood-fired kebabs, Greek yogurt dessert
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Chef José Andrés' signature mezze-style dining with elevated Lebanese, Turkish, and Greek flavors
Who should go: Professionals and date-nighters seeking upscale Mediterranean dining
When to visit: Dinner reservations recommended, especially Friday-Saturday evenings
What to order: Order multiple mezze to share, endless pita bread, wood-fired kebabs
Insider tip: Servers deliver fresh baskets of puffed pita throughout your meal
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet at The Shay hotel $15, validated parking in hotel garage 3 hours with dining. Street parking on Washington Blvd difficult evenings/weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual - collared shirts and nice jeans work, avoid athleisure. Date night crowd leans dressier.
Noise level: Moderate-high due to open dining room and hard surfaces - conversation possible but expect elevated volume during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Reservation essential - walk-ins typically 60-90 min wait Friday-Saturday after 7pm
Weekday lunch: No wait typical Monday-Thursday lunch, bar seating usually available
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - 60% of mezze menu naturally vegetarian including spanakopita, baba ghanoush, falafel, grilled halloumi
Vegan options: Good options - hummus varieties, muhammara, cauliflower, stuffed grape leaves. Ask for pita without butter.
Gluten-free options: Limited - some mezze and kebabs work, but no substitute for signature pita bread. Alert server for cross-contamination concerns.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, ideal for first dates - upscale but not stuffy, sharing mezze creates natural interaction, noise level allows conversation without awkward silence, and The Shay location adds sophistication without intimidation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Difficult on weekends - try bar seating or arrive before 6pm/after 9pm. Weekday lunches and early weekday dinners more flexible. OpenTable shows real-time availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Ages 10+ fit better - no kids menu, pricing adds up with multiple mezze orders, and noise level masks fussiness. Younger kids better at weekday lunch than weekend dinner.
How much should I budget per person? $60-80 per person with 2-3 mezze, shared kebab, and one drink. Groups ordering family-style can stretch to $50-60 each. Wine pairings push $90+.
Can I come just for drinks? Yes - bar area welcomes drinks-only guests, order 1-2 mezze to avoid looking cheap. Happy hour weekdays 3-6pm offers $8 wines and discounted small plates.
Is it too loud for business dinner? Request corner table or early seating (5:30-6:30pm) for lower volume. Noise picks up after 7pm making detailed negotiations difficult, but power lunch crowd handles it fine.
Best For
Better for: Upscale Mediterranean with celebrity chef pedigree, hotel dining convenience, mezze variety for groups who can't decide, more refined than typical Greek tavernas, better cocktail program than ethnic competitors
Skip if: You want authentic hole-in-the-wall vibes, need budget-friendly Mediterranean (Little Next Door or Dune half the price), prefer quieter intimate setting, or seeking traditional Greek/Lebanese grandma cooking over refined interpretations