The interiors of New York’s Zaytinya are like a mini-trip to the Med

A lunchtime adventure

Located on the ground floor of the newly opened Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad hotel, Zaytinya by José Andrés is a blue and gold tribute to its Mediterranean influences.

Rockwell Group designed the space, which looks straight onto West 28th Street from its huge, wraparound windows – dedicated people-watchers can claim a spot on the window-side blue banquette.

The studio has made the most of the restaurant’s vertical space, installing a gaggle of saucer- and lantern-shaped lights. Lines of arched mirrors and a glowing backlit panel behind the bar all add to Zatinya’s abundance of light.

There are touches of the classic bistro on display, with rattan dividers, leather benches and a tiled floor contributing to this; however, it’s steeped in the Turkish, Greek and Lebanese influence chef José Andrés draws on for his menu.

The patterned floor contains a hint of the ‘evil eye’, while the interior’s flashes of blue – in particular the wavy-print cushions – a gesture towards the colours of the Mediterranean. Even the lava stone bar counter is finished in a glossy royal blue.

701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States