Five stars for an unforgettable celebration at ZOI Mediterranean!
I chose ZOI Mediterranean to celebrate the completion of my Ph.D. program with a dinner for 10+ family and friends back in July, followed by drinks downstairs at Ten11 Lounge. I wanted an evening that combined elegance with just the right amount of party energy. ZOI delivered that--and then some. Because we were a larger group, I worked with their events team in advance. Tugce was wonderful to work with and helped me select a two-course dinner package featuring several cold and hot appetizers, a choice of three entrées, and a 90-minute beer and wine open bar. From the planning process through the final drink of the evening, everything felt thoughtfully coordinated. They even created a customized menu for my dinner.
And then there was the food!
Our appetizers included fresh salads, crispy zucchini chips with tzatziki, and beautifully fried calamari. The zucchini and calamari were light and crisp rather than heavy, and while neither really needed its accompanying sauce, the sauces took both dishes over the top. For our entrées, I wanted my guests to have variety, so we offered chicken skewers, Beef Butcher Bobka, and Short Rib Tandir. Nine out of ten of us chose the short rib--including me--and I'm glad we did.
I have been searching for an exceptional short rib ever since having one years ago at a French bistro in Chelsea that eventually closed. ZOI's Short Rib Tandir topped it.
The meat was incredibly tender and deeply savory, with a subtle braised-wine sweetness and caramelized richness. It was accompanied by wonderfully aromatic truffled mashed potatoes and carrots, creating the kind of full-bodied, balanced plate that makes you slow down and appreciate what you're eating. The rosé was a terrific pairing.
But what elevated the evening from a great dinner to a truly memorable celebration was the service. Manager Anjan Rahman kept an attentive eye on our group throughout the evening without ever making us feel rushed. When I arrived, several guests were enjoying drinks at the bar, and I explained that we'd linger there until more of the group arrived. There was no pressure whatsoever. When we were ready to sit, I simply gave him a heads-up, and the team took it from there. Our server, Jason, was professional, warm, and exceptionally attentive. We never had to search for someone or ask repeatedly for anything. The entire staff made us feel genuinely taken care of.
And the experience didn't end with dinner. We had reserved a table downstairs at Ten11 Lounge, which made for a seamless transition from elegant dinner to celebratory cocktails. Our favorite manager, Anjan, even came downstairs later to check on our group and made sure everything was going well. That small gesture says a lot about the hospitality here.
The combination of ZOI's beautiful atmosphere, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, terrific drinks, and genuinely exceptional staff made an important milestone even more memorable. I was so impressed that before the evening was even over, I was already thinking about coming back. If you're looking for a restaurant for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, milestone dinner, or private celebration and want beautiful surroundings, excellent food and drinks, attentive service, and the option to keep the night going at Ten11 downstairs, put ZOI Mediterranean on your list.
Thank you to Tugce, Anjan, Jason, and the entire ZOI and Ten11 teams for helping make my Ph.D. celebration one I'll always remember. Five stars, without hesitation. read more