New Mediterranean Restaurant Tzeva Now Open

February 24, 2023 – Sarasota

Bursting with the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Tzeva is now open inside the Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, and is inviting guests to travel by way of taste buds. At Tzeva, discover uniquely flavored, shareable Mediterranean dishes with Israeli touches paired with artfully crafted cocktails and wines. Take a seat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Executive Chef Ken Shiro Lumpkin, leader of the culinary creativity behind Tzeva’s menu, brings a twist to this Mediterranean dining experience. While Mediterranean restaurants often reflect Greek influences, Chef Ken is inspired by Israeli spices and traditions, adding za’atar to dishes and dedicating a portion of the menu to Salatim – an Israeli side-dish ceremony of gathering with friends and family around the table to enjoy a pre-meal. 

“We wanted Tzeva’s menu to reflect a style of eating that encourages a sense of community around the table and features craveable, health-forward dishes,” said Chef Ken. “Pulling in Israeli touches and even infusing my Japanese background into the menu by adding ingredients like seaweed and shisho to dishes, we’ve created a culinary experience that is entirely new and unique to Tzeva.” 

At breakfast, guests will be greeted with savory and sweet flavors. Channeling the vibe of Florida’s warm weather, many of the dishes spotlight fresh exotic fruits like the Parfait featuring mango, rosewater, vanilla yogurt, dukkah, pomegranate seeds, and mixed berries, or the Acai Bowl made with Acai berry and guarana, condensed milk, banana, mixed berries, granola, and toasted coconut. Classic egg dishes also appear on the menu like Omelets and Benedicts, but Tzeva also offers original dishes like a Breakfast Kebab and a Mediterranean Bowl with toasted halloumi cheese, red onion, spiced shaved sirloin, poached egg, smashed potato. 

Lunch and dinner both feature Salatim, Tzeva’s daily selection of cold vegetable salads, a crave-worthy spread of five signature Hummous creations and small plates to share among friends and family like Falafel, Toasted Feta Cheese or Charred Octopus. 

The lunch menu offers mouthwatering handhelds like a Moroccan Chicken Club featuring spiced chicken topped with brown sugar bacon, smoked tomato chutney, halloumi cheese, roasted red pepper aioli, and romaine between toasted white bread, or Za’atar Fish Tacos with sweet spicy slaw, harissa sour cream, avocado-cucumber pico de gallo and lime zest. Meanwhile, the dinner menu adds large plates to the mix such as Wagyu Short Rib with saffron mashed potatoes, apricot chutney, chives, and braising jus, or Snapper made with za’atar, dukkha, Bombay yams, pickled smoked carrots, and muhammara. 

With a menu designed to be tasted freely, unconstrained from traditional dining sequences, Tzeva is ideal for groups of all sizes and various celebrations. Plus, with a plant-forward approach and locally sourced fish and lean meats, Tzeva will satisfy every appetite. The craveable cuisine, vibrant space and inviting staff will have Sarasota visitors and locals alike coming back to the table. General Manager Dylan Gracie is committed to treating all guests like family, leading the Tzeva team with integrity so that this type of authentic service can be felt throughout the meal. 

“I am so lucky to work with such an amazing and dedicated team,” said Gracie. 

The exploratory menu pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s exotic beverage program. Beverage Manager & Creative Director Nick Purdue pulls inspiration from the kitchen, adding touches of spices, herbs and fruit to create unique cocktails with a variety of spirits. For example, the Roman Mai Tai mixes Coco Cartel, Campari, lime, orgeat, orange curacao, and cinnamon, while the Sacred Corners features a new technique of using Palo Santo Infused Reposado Tequila combined with passionfruit, lime, orange, and rose petal. 

“Our beverage menu is as unique as the food,” said Nick. “We’re combining interesting flavor combinations at Tzeva to create new concepts outside of the traditional spirited cocktail. We want guests to develop new cravings as they sip.”

Tzeva is open at 1255 North Palm Avenue in Sarasota, Florida.  Tzeva will be open seven days a week.  The restaurant will serve breakfast 7-11 am and will serve lunch 11 am-1 pm. The restaurant will serve dinner Sunday-Wednesday 5-9 pm and Thursday-Saturday 5-10 pm.  

Visit www.tzevasarasota.com for reservations, and follow along on Instagram @tzevasarasota to stay updated on the latest news.