ZAYTOON
Neighbourhood: Osborne Village
Address: 203 – 99 Osborne Street
Phone: 204-306-1166
Entrees: $11 – $35
Middle Eastern cuisine has been trending in recent years and Zaytoon, opening in 2020 serves exciting dishes from this variable global region. Whether craving kubbeh, labneh or a plate of fragrant grilled meat, this bright, foliage festooned spot serves fresh and herbaceous dishes captivating newbies.
Hands on partners Bassma Zahran and Mohammad Watan warmly greet culinary adventurers, eager to discover Middle Eastern soul food.
Named after the olive, Zaytoon’s menu of a few dozen dishes lavishly incorporates the fruity oil in recipes along with flavourings parsley, mint, and sumac defining this vibrant fare.
Don’t skip the small dishes, the dips here excel. Baba ghanouj, made of grilled eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes with pomegranate syrup, packs a zing. Foul, a chunky mixture of fava beans and chickpeas infused with garlic, parsley, lemon and tahini is equally pleasing. And the hummus? The kitchen produces such a velvety, light chickpea whip, hinting of lemon, it sets the city’s gold standard. All dips arrive with fresh warm pita.
Though selecting from massive menu options can overwhelm, every dish quietly reveals the game is rigged for winning. Kubbeh, an extraordinary crisp fried cracked wheat croquette stuffed with ground meat whets the appetite. Equally delicious is a twist on traditional Musakhan, a Palestinian roasted chicken dish, served on thick flatbread. Zaytoon’s version presents pillowy roll ups, filled with juicy shredded meat and caramelized onions accented with tart sumac. Labneh, made of strained yogurt, is tart and divine topping a soft and chewy flatbread fatayer garnished with mint, arugula and a drizzle of olive oil.
House special grills capture traditional techniques. Bring a hearty appetite and opt for Mashawi, a generous plate of flame cooked kebabs, shish tawook (chicken) and lamb chops propped on a heap of aromatic spiced rice, garnished with grilled tomato.
Sweet pastries, like baklava and kunafeh with pistachios leave lingering sweetness to the satisfying feast.