Kevin F.
Yelp
When one of your best friends, who is Persian, invites you to an authentic Persian dinner, you don't pass it up. We rolled into Zaytoon after a long day of work and I allowed my friend to drive. He schooled us on every dish and told great stories of his own family's rich Persian history.
Fantastic and super friendly service aside, Zaytoon is an absolute hidden gem on the west side. Quaint inside decor as part of a market, we bellied up in the back corner and ate dishes ranging from falafel to Cornish game hen.
We ordered Falafel, Lavash, Kashk Bademjan, Baba Ghanoush, Dolma, Koofteh, Ghormeh Sabizi, Lamb Shank, Fesenjaan, and a combo plate featuring Koobideh Kabob, Chicken Kabob, Bone-in Cornish Game Hen Kabob and Barg Kabob. They even brought out an off-menu treat, a Koobideh "Sushi Roll," definitely not authentic but ridiculous-good.
The koobideh kabob was excellent, the lamb shank was falling off the bone, and the explosive flavor of the fesenjaan was next-level. Not a single mediocre taste in any bite all night, and that includes dessert.
Figured we'd come this far, we might as well go full-monty and order the Pistachio Halva, Napoleon, Zolbia Bamieh, Iranian Pistachio Ice Cream with Saffron and Rose Water, Baklava, and Falloudeh with Cherry Syrup and Lime, all washed down with a Persian tea.
The Halva was addictive, and I couldn't stop nibbling at it long after my digestive system registered "full." Worth it, every bite. A cold noodle dessert, Falloudeh with Cherry Syrup was an interesting combo yet also hard to keep nibbling at.
Zaytoon is an absolutely lovely neighborhood restaurant, buried in a casual shopping center on the west side of town. Hidden away from the bright lights of the strip, Zaytoon shines just as bright with every dish. I highly recommend stopping by this family-owned local restaurant. You won't be disappointed.