Restaurant of the Week

My friend and self-proclaimed stalker, Amelia, is as easy to talk to as anyone I know and just as likely to sniff out a drink special. So it didn't surprise me when she became best friends with the owner of a new Atlanta restaurant that is offering $1.00 Ketel One drinks (ALL DAY EVERY DAY ALL SUMMER). She didn't let up until I agreed to review the restaurant. Alex and I attended the opening of Zaya a few months back, and it's hard to get a feel for a restaurant at its opening party. So I went back with Amelia and Alex to sample the Mediterranean cuisine.

After a few Ketel and sodas (that are conveniently priced at $1.00) we had a huge sampling of appetizers (still 1/2 price until 7:00 pm M-F). My favorite were the cheese fingers and the drunken halloumi (cheese flambe on a tomato with garlic sauce). We also had a huge bowl of yogurt salad and a totally new (to me) dish called stuffed kibbeh. It is lean beef and onions surrounded by lamb and cracked wheat. It's an item I'm sure Ill order again and again.
For the main course we had a series of kabobs and lamp chops. TRY THE LAMB CHOPS! They were tasty meat lollipops!

Finally, Tarek, brought out not one, not two but four desserts: progressive, flavored Crème brûlée, cheesecake flan and the heavenly molten chocolate cake. The absolute winner was the ashta. it is his twist on a traditional eggless custard. They make it with rose water and orange blossom, wrap it in a filo purse and bake it. It comes topped with homemade syrum and sprinkled with pistachios. If I hadn't eaten so much already, I would have finished it myself.
We left the restaurant stuffed just as the gays started filing in. It was really busy (especially for a Tuesday), so I'd call ahead for a reservation. It doesn't look like things are going to slow down this summer.

In summary, the service is about the only thing that can beat the great food (and $1.00 Ketel One drinks). Get your table before the place is too booked.

Zaya Restaurant
240 N. Highland, Atlanta, GA 30307
404.477.0050
www.zayarestaurant.com