Zorba's Cafe

Zorba's Cafe ($$) is a casual Greek restaurant in Dupont Circle. Located right on the circle, Zorba's has a fun atmosphere with a comfortable outside patio. While Zorba's may not have the best Greek food in town, it's inexpensive and pretty decent. The service is fast paced, as customers order at a counter and pick up the food. It is great for large parties and late night bites.

Spanakopita (Spinach, Feta Cheese, and Onions wrapped in Phyllo Dough)

After visiting an art gallery in Dupont, a few friends and I were wandering around looking for a quick place to eat and we stumbled upon Zorbas. I ordered a Greek salad and rice pudding, Kelsey ordered the Spanakopita, and Nikesh ordered the Souvlaki plate with pork skewers. While my salad was not the best I'd ever had, Nikesh's skewers were delicious. The marinated pork tenderloin was perfectly seasoned, and all of the juices from the skewers soaked into the pita bread they sat on top of. For 12 dollars, he got the skewers, pita, a side salad, and fries--a great deal! The rice pudding was not the best, and my greek salad was nothing great. I wouldn't order either again.

Souvlaki Platter with Pork Skewers (and a side of Greek salad and Fries)

Zaytinya

Zaytinya is a Greek Tapas restaurant that was recommended to me by two different people in the same week- so I had to go check it out. This modernized Greek restaurant is located in China Town, and is always bustling with people. They have small slightly over priced (but worth it) plates of a variety of unique vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes.

The attentive waiters immediately brought the fresh, and most importantly free, pita bread to the table. The pita was warm and puffed up because it just came out of the oven, and it was absolutely divine. I think I had a good two baskets of the bread by myself. For dinner, I ordered two different dishes. I had the Kabak Köftesi, which are squash and golden raisin fritters with a walnut pistachio sauce. The dish came with four of the veggie fritters, and they were very tasty. The raisins on the inside gave the squash a nice burst of sweetness. I also ordered the Adana Kebab which was skewered lamb with roast tomatoes and sauteed onions. The lamb was shaped like a sausage, and had red pepper flakes inside which made it spicy. Delicious! The two little tapas were enough for a dinner, along with the baskets of bread, and Zaytinya is definitely worth the trip.

Sadly, I did not get photos, but I promise this place is worth the buzz.

Update (with photos!)

Fresh Complimentary Pita

I recently revisited Zaytinya, and it was even more fabulous than the last time. We ordered a Tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber dipping sauce, for the table.

Tzatziki (yogurt & cucumber) Sauce

I ordered the special (which I sincerely hope they add to the menu permanently!) which was crispy brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were lightly fried and mixed with red pepper flakes and a garlic yogurt sauce. They were to die for. I also ordered the braised short ribs in a spiced tomato stew. The meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. The sauce was a perfect compliment. I was tempted to lick the plate clean!

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with a Garlic Yogurt Sauce