Extend your celebration by chowing down on Zaytinya’s finest lamb dishes during the Greek Easter Festival.
By Katie Test
Spring has landed, and I couldn’t be happier. From blossoms to warm weather, signs of the season are all around. In the foodie world, this means the Greek Easter Festival at Zaytinya, one of my favorite events of the year.
From April 4-16th, Jose Andres, Mike Isabella and company will be roasting up the lamb and stretching out the celebration, and you won’t hear this girl complain. The celebration is three-fold, Chef Isabella is rocking out a menu full of lamb, using almost every part (Squash blossom stuffed with lamb brain? Why, yes, thank you!) and serving up this year’s special Visne Blossom featuring house made cherry ouzo, ginger and citrus. A perfect celebration of spring!
Outside on the patio, Zaytinya joins the street cart food scene, with a lamb pita (lambwich, anyone?), available at lunchtime. Get one to go or park yourself on a picnic table outside the restaurant. You can grab one starting on April 5, but make sure to get there before the 16th. I highly recommend playing hooky or taking a long lunch break for this savory sandwich.
Finally, visit Isabella at Dupont’s FreshFarm market on Sunday, April 11, to try out Easter recipes and sample a spit-roasted lamb.
Zaytinya is located at 701 9th Street NW across from the 9th & G exit of the Chinatown Metro station.
