Week: Thur. March 2nd
Who remembers Shiraz in Alpharetta? How about Persepolis in its prime? These two popular Persian restaurants had one thing in common – a chef/owner by the name of Ali Mesghali.
Now Mesghali, long since departed from both Shiraz and Persepolis, has built a small but rather cozy Persian restaurant in Sandy Springs called Rumi’s Kitchen.
Here at Mesghali’s latest venture, you’ll find a snug dining room filled with Persian families gleefully passing plates of sautéed eggplant, plump hand-wrapped grape leaves and unthreaded kabobs of magnificently marinated lamb and beef tenderloin.
Meanwhile, out on the enclosed heated patio, Persian men sip obscure warm concoctions while passing those wacky hookah pipes that look more like a psychedelic bong you’d find in Andy Warhol’s private den.
What I like most about these Persian restaurants is the bread service and appetizers. At Rumi’s, I’m in heaven swiping warm nan-e barbari (Persian flat bread) through a generous mound of creamy chickpea puree (hummus) that is in the same prestigious league with Mezza's version, which I consider to be the best in Atlanta.
Bread accompaniments such as butter, feta cheese, fresh basil and mint leaves make fun and lively palate precursors to the meat-heavy meal that’s on the way.
And come meal time, whether you order one of Ali’s juicy kabobs or just one of his soul comforting stews, you won’t be disappointed.
Hey, somebody pass that hookah pipe my way. . .
|
Hand-wrapped grape leaves, Rumi's dip and bread service
Type of Cuisine: Persian
Address/Tel:
6152 Roswell Rd, Atlanta Tel: 404-477-2100
Recommended Items: Rumi's Dip, Dolmeh, Lamb Kabob, Shish Kabob
Price:
Apps: $4 - $5
Lunch Entrees: $7 - $12
Dinner Entrees: $11 - $20
Hours:
Tue - Thur: 11:30am - 3pm (Lunch)
and 5pm - 10pm (dinner)
Fri: 11:30am - 3pm (lunch)
and 5pm - 11pm (dinner)
Sat & Sun: 11:30am - 11pm (dinner)
|
