José Andrés Opens His Popular Mediterranean Restaurant Zaytinya on the Las Vegas Strip | Eater Vegas

"Opened May 13 in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, this Mediterranean restaurant from José Andrés serves vibrant Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese mezze rooted in the approach that earned the group's two‑decade‑old Washington, D.C. flagship a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Head chef Stephanie Martinez offers classics like labneh and tzatziki, house‑made spanakopita, and the chef’s signature lemony, fire‑roasted baba ghanoush, alongside standouts such as a blistered flatbread crowned with spicy soujouk and melty Caesar cheese with a soft‑set egg, delicately charred octopus over a velvety yellow split pea purée, and Las Vegas‑exclusive mains including Tangier‑spiced grilled lamb chops with spring pea tzatziki, seasonal whole grilled fish, and a mixed grill of lamb, kofte, chicken, and adana skewers; a tender lamb shoulder served with lettuce cups is highlighted as a childhood‑favorite preparation. Adrian Rene’s cocktail program, staged under a curved glass bar inspired by the Greek evil eye, features inventive drinks like a pomegranate‑forward Pomona with ouzo, a Minoan Sour emulsified with Spanish olive oil and egg white for silkiness, a gin martini fat‑washed with olive oil, and precise zero‑proof options such as a clarified milk punch. The 8,604‑square‑foot dining room, designed by the Rockwell Group, evokes a Mediterranean country home with large oak doors, trellises, and plants that transition into a sleek, modern interior with towering brown columns and dark blue booths; the restaurant operates nightly in the evening." - Ryan Slattery