TASTING INTOWN: Rumi’s Kitchen Restaurant Review

By Art Huckabee

What makes for a good restaurant or a restaurant that you want to re-visit? The short answer is the food, quickly followed by the service. After that, the list can get quite long with an ample helping of diner subjectivity thrown in for good measure.

This month, I’m putting on my food writer lab coat and “analyzing” what makes one of my favorite restaurants, Rumi’s Kitchen, a good, if not great, restaurant.

Accessibility: It can be good, but if it takes two hours in Atlanta traffic to get there, I’m not going more than once. Rumi’s is located just outside of the perimeter on Roswell Road, easily accessible from most anywhere.

Parking: If you have to park so far away that you have to use Uber to get back to the restaurant, it’s a one-time proposition for me. Rumi’s has valet like you read about. I don’t know where these moonlighting NASCAR drivers take my car, but it always returns in perfect shape and they genuinely seem happy with my $3 tip.

Reservations: There was a very brief window of time in my life where I would endure a wait of two hours and that was to ride Space Mountain at Disney World. Rumi’s take reservations and they also seem to handily accommodate walk-ins.

A pleasing space: You would never know that Rumi’s occupies what used to be a Midas muffler shop. What once were automotive bays is now well-lit, inviting space with comfortable seating and views into an open kitchen.

Won’t break the bank: Rumi’s isn’t cheap with entrée’s ranging from the high teens to most in the twenties, but you feel as though you could manage a couple of visits a month without taking out a second mortgage.

A decent wine list and cocktail selection: Rumi’s wine list is only one page with emphasis on reds. There are lots of selections by the glass and the prices are reasonable. There’s a small craft cocktail selection and several beers.

Excellent service: Rumi’s excels. Be it a party of 12 or a party of two, the wait staff is always on point. They’re unnoticeably attentive, keeping plates cleared, water glasses filled and baskets full of the addictive flatbread. The rare misstep is quickly remedied.

Excellent food: I have never had, nor dined with anyone who has had, a bad dish at Rumi’s. Pick a couple of “Tastes,” like creamy Hummus or Merza Ghasemi, smoked eggplant with tomato and garlic; spread them on the hot flatbread. Or order some excellent grilled spicy wings flavored with lemon and saffron. Or maybe some Dolmeh, grape leaves filled with minced beef, rice and herbs.

For the entrée’s, or “Feasts,” Rumi’s is a kabab-a-palooza. From chicken to lamb to beef to seafood, there’s something for everyone. The Chicken Barg is saffron marinated breast meat, perfectly charred yet still tender. The four cuts of beef are as good as can be had anywhere in town. The Rack of Lamb is marinated in garlic, rosemary and saffron and grilled to medium rare perfection. The Chilean Sea

Bass is the best version of this Patagonian toothfish that I’ve had. The grilled saffron shrimp are also outstanding.

The “Feasts” are large portions. They come with enough rice to feed a small village in China. Chose from flavors like lentil and raisin to almond orange zest to dill and fava bean to simply saffron. There’s always a roasted tomato on every plate that often serves more as garnish than meal.

Consistency: Rumi’s is consistently great!

Analysis complete.

Rumi’s Kitchen is located at 6112 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30328. (404) 477-2100 or visit rumiskitchen.com.

Art Huckabee is one of Yelp’s Elite Reviewers, as well as a pilot and food lover. Send feedback to TastingIntown@ AtlantaINtownPaper.com.

Yelp’s recommendations for St. Patrick’s Day drinks

By Benjamin Getz Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

Even if you aren’t Irish, having a good time over beers with friends at your local Irish pub is cool. Even cooler? Celebrating the luck o’ the Irish at one of these Yelpapproved watering holes where every single day is St. Patrick’s Day. Cold beer in your glass, Shepherd’s Pie, or fish and chips are what’s on tap for March 17, but you can get the party started with this fine list ‘o choices.

Meehan’s Public House

You’ve gotta love their slogan –“Irish Customs. Neighborhood Charm.” Pretty much enough said there. The menu covers all matters of taste and the bar is stocked with more killer cocktail choices than you can handle. Start with a pint and then move onto their more potent potations. Various Atlanta locations, including Downtown and Buckhead.

Fado

Not only the quintessential Irish pub for most ITP, but a St. Paddy’s Day staple. Come grab a pint, kiss the Blarney Stone, and celebrate with them for an entire week leading up to the Day-O-Green.

273 Buckhead Ave., Buckhead.

Limerick Junction

Yelp reviewer Marta P. says these guys are pretty up on their Irish Car Bomb game (it’s a drink similar to a boilermaker). I guess that’s really all that needs to be said, yeah? Well, that, and free popcorn sure do make for a good spot with your green-clad friends. 822 N. Highland Ave. NE, Virginia Highland.

Elder Tree Public House

Those seeking a few screens to catch Euro football during east coast hours would be advised to head to Elder Tree. Their take on the Shepherd’s Pie is worthy of your attention alone. Oy! 469 Flat Shoals Ave., East Atlanta Village.

Mac McGee

For those seeking whiskey in lieu of beer, this should top your list. These guys tout a list of whiskeys from an impressive list of distillers. Throw back a neat pour with a few Scotch Eggs and a Shepherd’s Pie and your St Pat’s celebration is in the bag. 111 Sycamore St., Decatur.

Follow Ben Getz’s reviews at benjamingetz.yelp.com and all the Yelp adventures on Instagram and Twitter @ YelpAtlanta.