Zaytinya, one of D.C.’s premier tapas destinations, is hosting a two-week Grape Festival from November 14–27. That’s fourteen whole days dedicated to great wine, as well as grape-inspired food dishes. A venture of Jose Andres (winner of this year’s James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef), the Penn Quarter bar is known for its innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines and its unique Mediterranean wines.

The special festival menu features six parings of wine and small plates, which are available a la carte or as a special chef’s tasting menu for $49 (including a grape granita dessert). Options include garides me ouzo (shrimp flamed in ouzo with roasted grapes) with a Greek wine called Domaine Mercouri Foloi Viognier and lamb chops agourides (pan-roasted with grapes and honey cap mushrooms) alongside a Lebanese Massaya Classic Red Bekaa Valley Cinsault.

A couple of events are also lined up for the fortnight of vinous fun (space is limited, so reservations are a good idea):

Tuesday, November 15, 5–11:30 PM
Premium wines which are usually available by the bottle will be available by the glass. This pay-as-you-go event is a prefect opportunity for you to sample some of the finer wines before you splurge.  

Tuesday, November 22, 7 PM
Exclusive wine dinner and discussion by Chris Jelepis of Sonata Wine Importers.  Head Chef Michael Costa will prepare a special 5-course tasting menu featuring a lamb shoulder. Each course will be specially paired with a complementary wine ($85 per person).

Event Date: 11/15,11/22
Event Time: 5-11:30 PM and 8 PM
Location: Zaytinya
Price: PAYG and $85 per person
Type: Wine