Image: Chicken with Albaloo (cherry) Rice.
Last Updated: August 2021
Current Status: Open for Dine-in, Take-out and Delivery. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Overview: In a shiny new space on a side street by the convention center, Rumi’s Kitchen serves food in the Persian tradition. Meats (ground, cubed, sliced, lamb, beef, chicken) or fish with rice (in multiple variations) are the core of the menu. Like some other cuisines from places that abut the mountains, they are not big on drenching things in sauces, instead letting the seasoning of the main protein carry the dish along with the variations in the rice. There is of course rice with saffron, but also pistachio, sour cherries, or lentil and raisin (among others). The appetizers include eggplant dishes, salads, labne and hummus. The Washington Post gave a thumbs up to dolmeh, and anything stewed seems to evoke appreciation from reviewers. There are a few dessert options – the baklava was very good and the cardamon cake a hit. The wine list is pretty good, covering a lot of ground with many bottle options below $70. We have only done take-out to date, but on that basis alone we are confident enough to recommend this place as a solid choice in the area.
Summary:
Cuisine: Persian
Neighborhood: Mt. Vernon/Convention Center
Address: 640 L St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: https://www.rumiskitchen.com/
Reservations: Opentable
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom gave a positive review in the middle of the pandemic – he especially liked the dolmeh. The mannequins are now gone, but replaced by lots of real people.
Washingtonian: Preview