José Andrés’s hip Penn Quarter mezzeteria celebrates its fifth birthday next week—and everyone’s invited to the seven-day party. Stop by anytime from Monday, October 22, through Monday, October 29, for $5 small plates, $5 desserts, and $5 cocktails—perhaps the best deal of all, as Zaytinya’s specialty drinks are usually responsible for pushing the dinner bill out of the cheap-eats range.
Next week, the five wallet-friendly drinks include the Pom-Fili, a spin on sangría made with white wine, vodka, triple sec, and pomegranate juice; the Lemon Thyme, lemon ouzo with thyme-infused simple syrup; and Mediterranean-influenced versions of the cosmo, sea breeze, and lemon drop.
The discounted mezze are Zaytinya’s five bestsellers: hummus, havuc koftesi (carrot-apricot-pine-nut fritters), spanakopita, salmon with roasted-garlic yogurt, and Chicken Muhammarah, marinated and served with a roasted-red-pepper-and-walnut sauce. The small plates are regularly $5.95 to $7.50.
Among the five $5 desserts is the Turkish Delight, a delicious sundae of walnut ice cream with yogurt mousse, honey gelée, and phyllo that has been a fixture on Zaytinya’s menu since the beginning. For something new, try the Black Cherry Yogurt—Greek yogurt topped with black cherries and cherry sorbet. Desserts aren’t mezze-size, so there’s plenty to share for just $5.
Zaytinya, 701 Ninth St., NW; 202-638-0800; zaytinya.com.
