Renowned chef José Andrés is set to open a new Zaytinya location in Culver City's luxurious Shay Hotel by the end of 2024. This Mediterranean Mecca will occupy the substantial 10,000-square-foot space previously housing chef Michael Santoro’s Prima Donna and What If Syndicate’s Italian restaurant Etta. The forthcoming outpost will mark the fourth for Zaytinya, which currently delights palates in New York City, South Beach, and Washington D.C., according to What Now Los Angeles.
The anticipated opening is part of a larger effort by José Andrés Group (JAG) to comprehensively take over the hotel’s food and beverage program, which includes not only the main restaurant but also in-room dining, poolside snacks, and a lobby lounge. A yet-to-be-named rooftop spot is also in the pipeline for 2025. The LA crowd can expect to widely open their culinary horizons, as Zaytinya is designed to immerse diners in an authentic atmosphere that mirrors the spirit of the Eastern Mediterranean, complete with warm bronze metals, white oak, and blue accents. Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of JAG, described Culver City as "a hub of entertainment studios, where people in film and television come together to tell stories much in the way that we at Zaytinya see sharing the diverse culture of cuisines through food," in a report by Eater Los Angeles.
Diners can look forward to the restaurant's classic dishes, such as crispy Brussels sprouts and grilled octopus, alongside an LA-exclusive feature: a wood-fired oven salvaged from Etta's previous residence at the location. Beyond these perennial favorites, new menu items planned specifically for the Culver City opening include a shareable kebab platter that leverages the wood-fired oven's capabilities. Concept Chef Michael Costa revealed to Eater Los Angeles, "We will be developing bespoke items for LA based around this live fire kitchen."
Already known for his molecular gastronomic innovativeness with establishments like the Bazaar and Somni, chef Andrés continues to impress the LA food scene with ventures such as San Laurel and Agua Viva. Zaytinya promises to further solidify Andrés’ footprint in Los Angeles, offering plates that encourage diners to just as much share conversations as they do mezze, boasting that the small plates style of dining is conducive to socializing, thus promising a blend of taste and conviviality for the diverse, story-rich community of Culver City.
