December, 2023
Distinguished Mediterranean Concept by the Celebrated Chef with Established Outposts in Washington, D.C. and New York Expands Its Culinary Footprint to the Heart of Miami
MIAMI BEACH, FL (November 29th, 2023) – A renowned culinary concept is about to grace the vibrant shores of South Beach, and it goes by the name of Zaytinya. Officially open to the public on November 29th and nestled within the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, this culinary masterpiece marks the eagerly anticipated return from globally renowned celebrity chef José Andrés to Miami, serving as the latest addition to the José Andrés Group – a culinary powerhouse known for its mission to “change the world through the power of food”.
“Zaytinya is a celebration of the honest, delicious flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean that have inspired the world for centuries. We cannot wait to bring this food to South Beach!” says Chef José Andrés.
At the heart of Zaytinya is a unique partnership between Chef José Andrés and Aglaia Kremezi, Zaytinya’s Chef Partner. More than 15 years ago, their shared passion for authentic food gave birth to the concept of Zaytinya. Kremezi’s wisdom and guidance have been instrumental in maintaining the menu’s authenticity.
Bringing the best of Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon together under one roof, Zaytinya’s menu reflects the rich regional diversity of these classic cuisines under the guidance of James Beard Award-winning chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa. The restaurant presents a small-plate-dining-style menu rich in mezze spreads, including beloved favorites such as hommus, tzatziki, and baba ghannouge inviting diners to savor the authentic essence of the Mediterranean. A wide range of vegetables, meat, and seafood mezzes also adorn the menu with delicacies like octopus Santorini, chicken, lamb, and more.
The beverage menu at Zaytinya South Beach is as carefully curated as the culinary offerings. Boasting an eclectic selection of unique wines from the Mediterranean and beyond, each sip is meticulously chosen by expert sommeliers to harmonize seamlessly with the mezze menu. Hand-crafted authentic Mediterranean cocktails boasting Greek gin and sweet and dry vermouths infused with lemon, lime and thyme, also feature for a truly immersive experience.
Zaytinya, South Beach creates an atmosphere that effortlessly captures the spirit of the Eastern Mediterranean. The setting is a bustling, airy place, thoughtfully designed with a palette of warm bronze metals, white oak woods, and playful pops of blue, paying homage to the pristine waters of the Mediterranean islands.
The Zaytinya brand – an iconic culinary institution in Washington, D.C. – recently expanded its footprint even further with the opening of its New York City location in 2022 at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. Zaytinya’s third location marks the second collaboration between Flag Luxury Group and José Andrés Group on the heels of the approval of a plan to build a 15-story residential building on the property; a project that all three hotel ownership groups – Flag Luxury Group, Lionstone Development and Ben-Josef Group have been passionate about for many years.
“Having a Greek Armenian Mother-in-Law, I appreciated the authenticity that Chef José Andrés brings to this cuisine. We knew after bringing Zaytinya to The Ritz Carlton New York, NoMad that we wanted our local South Beach community and guests of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach to experience this beloved concept. It was a natural fit.” said Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, President of Flag Luxury Group. “Zaytinya’s energy is a celebration of diversity and different culinary traditions. “We could not be happier to return to South Beach with this concept!” added Sam Bakhshandehpour, President of José Andrés Group. “What you are about to experience is a journey between these two worlds, navigated with imagination and wonder by our team.”
In October 2023, José Andrés Group assumed all food and beverage operations for The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, including Lapidus lobby bar, DiLlido Beach Club, in-room dining, banquet services, and the Ritz Club lounge.
Zaytinya is located at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach at 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Starting November 29th, Zaytinya South Beach is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.zaytinya.com.
