One of Atlanta’s dining concepts is set to unveil in Houston on October 16. Rumi’s Kitchen is bringing its newest iteration to a prime spot in the heart of sought after Uptown at 1801 Post Oak Blvd. Serving refined, globally influenced Persian fare in an eye-catching environment with polished service, Rumi’s Kitchen will join Uchiko restaurant in the Zadok anchored and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture designed Post Oak Place mixed-use development.
Founded nearly 20 years ago by chef Ali Mesghali – a native of Esfahan, Iran – and now co-owned by Stephen Kaplan, the restaurant’s namesake is famed 13th-century Persian poet, theologian and mystic Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, whose teachings and verse transcended cultures by focusing on the power of love. It’s apropos for a brand built around the love of hospitality and food.
Chef Mesghali said in a statement, “Houston has long been on our radar for growth given its celebrated diversity and incredible food scene. We feel so fortunate to have met the Zadok family, who introduced us to stunning Post Oak Place and the Uptown district, which is not only home to a sizable international community, but also draws visitors from around the world for business and pleasure.”
As a young boy, Mesghali moved to Los Angeles, where his love for cooking blossomed while working in Persian restaurants beginning as a teenager. Seeking a fresh start, he relocated to Atlanta in 1991 and ultimately partnered in several Persian restaurant concepts. Inspired by his dream of crafting a Persian restaurant destination unlike anything else in America, he unveiled Rumi’s Kitchen in 2006.
Menu highlights will include Wagyu Zabuton Kabob, a classic kabob with urfa chili spice rub and grilled shishito peppers; a delicately charred Chilean Sea Bass; traditional Kibbeh Nayyeh, made with lamb and bulgur tartare blended with aromatic spices and egg yolk; and Corn Ribs, seasoned with black seed dukkah and jalapeno butter then roasted to a perfect crisp.
Signature cocktails include the Sabzi Tonica, made with dragoncello and Mediterranean tonic and the exquisite Maydan, a blend of Persian tea and saffron, while the wine list features world-class wine spanning the major wine growing regions, along with special touches like Chateau Musar verticals spanning back to the 1960’s. To enhance the experience further, Rumi’s Kitchen will introduce a happy hour, complete with a thoughtfully curated array of Persian twists on classic cocktails and a specially crafted food menu.
Designed by The Johnson Studio, the 5,500-square-foot Houston restaurant will accommodate a total of 170 guests with bar and table seating, and the interiors are meant to capture the warmth of a Persian home. The rustic venue will be anchored by an open kitchen with a traditional turquoise tile backdrop and expansive windows flooding the room with natural light during the day. Decorative elements will include a series of photographs by Iranian artist Shadi Ghadirian, wall treatments meticulously covered in plaster using age-old Iranian building techniques, as well as flooring that transitions from herringbone hardwood in the entry to smooth concrete in the dining room. The soaring ceiling will be adorned with fifteen custom light fixtures that symbolize the skirt of a whirling dervish in constant motion – a nod to the dynamic nature of Persian culture.
For a more intimate experience, patrons can retreat to a private dining room designed to accommodate up to 40 people and illuminated by custom tree branch light fixtures, beautifully reinforcing Persian culture’s connection with nature.
Open daily from lunch through dinner, hours will be Monday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 10 pm, Friday from 11:30 am to 11 pm, Saturday from noon until 11 pm and Sunday from noon until 10 pm.
