October, 2022
“José Andrés opened the original Zaytinya in 2002 in Washington D.C.; two decades later the chef-restaurateur and humanitarian has finally brought his Eastern Mediterranean stalwart to New York City. At the shiny new Ritz-Carlton in Nomad, chef-partner Michael Costa whips up a sprawling menu of hits from Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon. There are spreads aplenty, scores of mezze, soujouk sausage pita, luscious bone marrow kibbeh, and serious skewers — including kofte kebabs, adana kebabs, and sumac-laced chicken thighs. For dessert, galaktoboureko, that classic semolina custard dessert, gets fancified with burnt meringue, black olive, and lemon sorbet. Walk-in seats at the bar aren’t too hard to come by, but be sure to book prime-time seats at the rooftop lounge, Nubeluz, well in advance.”