Rumi

It looks like Rumi may be open again! Can anybody confirm? We’ve been missing the place.

Please don’t go here. The waiter pretty much made our valentines 2014 unforgettable in a bad way. The food was Salty! The Salmon was DRY. The Pork Tenderloin was SALTY. The Gnocchi was burnt the sauce was SALTY! And did I mention that our gnocchi appetizer came after our meal? The best thing of the evening was the Ginger Ale which came out half way through the meal. And of course they forgot my lemonade.
Do yourself a favor and go to Panda Dumpling like I am for some late night!

This place just really didn’t hit it for me at all. I always hate to be mean, but I couldn’t even finish my food, and it literally just might be my pickiness.
The soup of the day was potato, and was pretty bland but not bad. Chicken kabob was dry. And pulled pork sandwich is nothing like any pulled pork you have had before (aka bbq), so do not expect that. It had some sort of red pepper, chili powder, or cayenne pepper seasoning on it – although it wasn’t spicy – all of which I have a certain distaste for.
They did have some interesting and creative plates, but unfortunately I think I just got the below average plates on the menu.
The service for me was a bit slow, but the waitress was attentive (if that makes sense). It took a while for her to take our order, fill my water, and for the food to actually get delivered from order time (which is no fault of the waitress, but probably just the nature of the food). I do think she realized I was unsatisfied and constantly asked if there was anything she could do for us. It was rather awkward to have to answer her «How is everything?» questions, when my honest response would have been «bad,» and I am not used to complaining.

This review is primarily a response to the following review:
I’m her boyfriend and we had the same dinner experience (we shared all the food).
Rumi is an American restaurant drawing on Mediterranean influences.
I ordered an Endive, Arugala and Heart of Palm Salad. My Girlfriend ordered a Potato Soup, a Pulled Pork Sandwich and a Chicken Kabob. The pulled pork sandwich came with a side of fries that we substituted with broccolini because we like to eat healthy. We planned to share everything.
I was excited for my salad, because I don’t believe I have ever had Heart of Palm before, and I don’t have endive salad a lot. I am sick and tired of restaurants that have Caesar Salads and Little Gem Salads and generic plates of generic vegetables served up standard generic dressings. My salad from Rumi was interesting and enjoyable. And the fact that I had gone so far in life without eating a Heart of Palm salad meant that the chefs at this place were pushing the boundaries of culinary experience for me. Of course this place also had a generic garden salad and a caesar salad and a little gem salad, if you are into that sort of thing. Although at least they paired their rabbit food garden salad with pomegranate vinaigrette instead of regular vinaigrette. If you are a foodie that would cancel out right? Anyways I digress.
My girlfriend gave this place 2 out of 5 stars because she felt the Potato soup was generic (it was generic potato soup with a couple pieces of bacon) and the Chicken Kabob was dry (it was chicken breast, and up to par with other mediterranean places that serve skewers of chicken breast. Personally I think chicken breast is dry unless you bread it and fry it (which then doesn’t make for a very healthy meal). Anyways, I think they cooked the Kabob pretty well. It came with grilled tomatoes and eggplants and was plated very well.
The pulled pork sandwich was not really much of a delicacy either. It had a generous serving of meat on it and a sauce that was not sweet enough to be BBQ, but was smokey and had a hint of spiciness. My girlfriend dislikes hot sauces (all of them, including tabasco, sirracha) and so she barely touched this dish. The broccolini was grilled with oil and salted and tasted good to me.
So that fact stands that she gave this restaurant a 2 out of 5 stars, but I feel like the dishes that we ordered were on par with my expectations and I got to try something new. The food was good, and the lamb dishes that the people around us ordered looked delicious (but not necessarily worth their price on the menu, which is why I am giving this place a 4 out of 5 stars). This is a good place to go if you have combination friends who aren’t foodies and like to stick to their staples and who are foodies and like to eat palm trees and lamb racks.

I really liked the interior decoration and ambiance of this place. Nice, warm, and cozy. Came here on a Sunday night and the place was almost empty.
Service is very polite but I did feel a bit rushed at times– perhaps they were hoping we wouldn’t take too long so they could close earlier?
We ended up ordering:
1) trio flatbread
2) mussels
3) salmon and pallenta cake
4) prawn gnoshi
5) bread pudding
6) risotto pudding
All the food was 4 stars except for the mussels and risotto pudding. Mussels did not taste fresh and they didn’t give you very much. The risotto pudding was nothing special.
Overall I would say its a nice place to dine and I wouldn’t mind coming back.

Great appetizers, including lamb skewers and smoked salmon with polenta cakes. The grilled sole was decent. The gnocchi with merguez sausage had good flavor, but the gnocchi was too hard. However, the sausage was delicious. The items with gnocchi are supposed to be the more popular dishes, but I didn’t think gnocchi was acceptable.

3.5 stars.
Unilocalers, you’ve steered me wrong. I ordered the gnocchi appetizer per your recommendation and it was unpleasantly dense and chewy. Isn’t good gnocchi supposed to be soft and pillowy? Or am I just a dumbass?
The filet mignon dish was decent, but the meat itself didn’t have much flavor. Luckily it was presented in a pool of delicious sauce that I was able to dip every bite into.
I tried a cocktail which was a twist on the Moscow Mule. It was mixed with a strong housemade ginger ale, which provided a piquant kick. Our server warned me it was made with soju instead of vodka and to refrain from ordering wine in addition to my drink. She obviously had no idea how much I love to get drunk at dinner.

This was our third time eating at Rumi. The first time blew us away, we were even comp’ed a free appetizer when the kitchen was a little slow. I think this was probably because it was still being run by the old owner at that point a year ago.
The second time was good but not as mind blowing. At that point I gave it a 5-​star review.
–UPDATE–
Our last visit was not good, so I am downgrading my assessment. We were somewhat disappointed with our entrees. The vermillion scallops were very very salty. The salmon dish was oversalted on one side, probably from uneven distribution of the seasoning.
The waitress was nice, and did offer to replace those meals with a different dish. However my fiancée and mother were too polite to take her up on this. I thought maybe the restaurant should have taken a few dollars off the bill to make up for it. However, they did not.

Overall, I left disappointed. For the flatbread and trio dip appetizer, two out of the three dips were not as good as we (my husband and I) expected. The roasted red pepper dip was the standard we had hoped for in the other two.
Husband and I both ordered the lamb shank. Mine was slightly overcooked and both of our dishes were missing pomegranate as was described in the menu. I did tell our server about it, and while he checked that I was okay to keep eating, I think it would have left a better impression on me to offer a complimentary dessert (even a much smaller portion) to make up for it so as to leave me with a delectable taste in my mouth instead of this disappointment that prevents me from returning.
Food was slow leaving the kitchen, even more so than the 10 – 15 minute wait our server (who was fine) had promised us, and despite the restaurant only being half full. The table behind us also complained about the food being bland.
The atmosphere is lovely, service was as best as it could be given the kitchen’s delays. I don’t see myself going back. Pity.

I had pretty high expectations seeing the overall 4 star review for Rumi, but had a disappointing dinner experience. We were able to get reservations easier for dinner the day of, which should have been a sign. We got there on time and were seated right away, and ordered:
–Complimentary Amuse Bouche– Fresh Feta on Crostini (
): Eh. just ok. The feta wasn’t salty enough, and this wasn’t very flavorful. Good thing it was free.
–Sweet Spice Roasted Beet Salad w/​Goat Cheese (Wild Arugula, Pistachio Dusted Goat Cheese, Raspberries, Toasted Pistachios, Golden Balsamic Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette, $ 9,
): Ok. I didn’t think the components worked well together. Skip.
–Rumi Salad (Artisan Lettuces, Vanilla Poached Pears, Toasted Almonds, Pomegranate Vinaigrette, $ 8,
): Ok, but nothing special. I wouldn’t get this again.
–House Made Flatbread w/​Trio of Dips (Eggplant, Walnut, Roasted Garlic/​Butter Bean, Cilantro, Feta/​Roasted Red Pepper, Goat Cheese, $ 7): Yuck. The flatbread was on the dry side, and they added cardamom or some spice in it which I didn’t like. I also didn’t like any of the 3 dips, and they only gave you tiny bowls of dip. Skip.
–Endive and Baby Arugula Salad (Hearts of Palm, Bellwether Cheese, Radicchio, Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette, $ 9,
): I didn’t like this, but I don’t like hearts of palm. Skip.
–Proscuitto w/​Roasted Asparagus? (
): I couldn’t find this dish on their online menu. It was pretty good, and one of the better dishes we had that night. The asparagus was roasted well, and it went well with the salty proscuitto.
–Niman Ranch Braised Beef Short Ribs (Chesnut Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Squash, Red Wine Mushroom Demi, $ 23,
): Disappointing. The short ribs were very lean, and overcooked/​dry. Also, the sauce wasn’t that great, and even the brussel sprouts weren’t good (too salty). Skip.
–Rosen Farms Lamb Shank (Served w/​Roasted Butternut Squash, Lentils, Finished w/​Pan Sauce, Fresh Herbs, Pomegranate Arils, $ 26,
): The lamb shank was tender, but not as fork tender as I’ve had at other restaurants. However, this was still one of the better dishes, although it was average overall.
–Niman Ranch Pork Sliders (3 Sliders w/​House Made BBQ Sauce, Cole Slaw, Hand Cut Sea Salt Seasoned Fries, $ 15,
): Yuck. The pulled pork was dry and too salty. The fries however, were delicious. Skip the sliders, but order the fries as a side.
The service was ok here, and our server was attentive enough. However, I doubt I’ll be back since I didn’t really enjoy any of the dishes I had. The wooden seats were also uncomfortable to sit in for long since they had no cushioning. Parking can also be difficult to find in this area, but street parking spots are available.

Went here a few weeks ago with my girlfriend. They don’t have a liquor license but they make up for it with some tasty soju drinks. I tried the mojito and the ginger rose. They were both pretty good.
I had the short rib, potatoes and Brussels sprouts. I don’t remember what my girlfriend had, but it was a lot of food and we both loved our dinners. The service was on point, but the place was very slow that night. I don’t understand why it was so slow because the food and drinks are very reasonably priced. Very good dining experience. Will be back for sure.

Not to be cliché here but have lunch or dinner here, and you’ll whirl in delight. Everything is tasty, fresh, and made with care. It’s clean food. The bread will take you back and the dipping sauces will take your forward. It’s a cute intimate restaurant that takes its food and wine seriously. Nice date place in the evening, and a wonderful place to catch a casual or professional lunch. I’ve liked them on Facebook so I get to find out about their wine tasting events and other special happenings. Would definitely recommend to my peninsula friends, and those away too — it’s worth the drive to try!

I went a few weeks back, maybe more. Let’s just say we went because of the 4 star ratings, but were disappointed on a Thursday night.
PROS: Cozy place, Neighborhood restaurant, good menu selection
The food was average and the prices high. The wine list and selection are both weak and overpriced. The service was fine while we were there, though I believe our waitress forgot one of our appetizers. Oh well, at least it wasn’t on the check.
I’ll go back a 2^nd time because I love Mediterranean food and to give the place another try.
To put things in perspective, I went to Anatolian Kitchen in PA on a Friday night. Better experience, better prices, and better food.

The four star rating is really deceiving. As one reviewer pointed out, this must have been for a chef who is no longer here.
The problem with this place is the food. It’s just not good enough to be charging these prices. First we were given a complimentary amuse boushe and I was puzzled when what came out was a crostini with salmon topped with a bit of crème fraîche. Now I know that amuse bushe literally means «small bite» but come on, let’s face it. This isn’t La Folie.
I ordered the house made gnocchi with gulf shrimp (which by the way is NOT what is pictured on Unilocal). The sauce was a tasty shrimp sauce but my shrimp was overcooked and I had to play Where’s Waldo in finding a total of 10 pieces of gnocchi. When I order a gnocchi dish, I expect the plate to have mostly gnocchi and not squash/​overcooked shrimp.
My boyfriend ordered the pork tenderloin dish which was overcooked and dry. There is no excuse for overcooked pork when you pay these prices.
The service here is slow; we waited a long time for overcooked food. I agree with another reviewer that this place won’t last long unless they get a new chef and a new menu.

My wife and I found ourselves with the opportunity to head out to dinner without the kids, and we wanted to try someplace new. We took a long walk along Laurel Street and found ourselves at Rumi. We’ve had friends review this place positively so were excited to try it out.
Sadly, I left this review sit undone for three weeks, so I can’t provide my normal level of detail.
The impressions that we remember:
It’s a very attractive space. Comfortable seating, but wow the tables are set rather close together. I don’t think I’ve ever before been in a restaurant of this quality that had so many tables in the space that you can’t comfortably walk between them. It’s interesting to watch the wait staff contort themselves to move around the restaurant to take orders and serve food.
Our sense for the food was that it was all very tasty. The one rather big negative we experienced is that they had incredibly limited flexibility in terms of food allergies. My wife is allergic to soy and sulfites, so she needs to be careful when eating at restaurants. At Rumi the majority of the entrees seemed to have wine (i.e. sulfites) and we were told that there was no way to serve those items without it. Wine is typically in sauces, so it’s fairly common that chefs will be able to substitute them with another option, but no such flexibility was afforded us on this visit.
While I enjoyed an entrée, my wife was left to make a meal out of a salad, soup, and appetizer.
To be fair, we did very much like the food. I just don’t see how this could become a place that we’d frequent if she can’t order any entrees.
We’ll try it again to see if the story changes, but I fear their lack of flexibility might make this a place that won’t ever become a staple in our rotation.

What a great find in San Carlos! Rumi uses local, seasonal, sustainable food and offers their healthy fresh foods for reasonable prices.
We came here for lunch today around 1pm and were one of three seated tables. I am guessing this place is a lot busier on a non-​holiday weekday. The interior is rustic Mediterranean with clean décor and there are a few tables outside on the sidewalk as well for those warmer summer days.
The lunch menu offers lots of sandwiches, some skewer plates, a few salads and a handful of entrees. Their soup of the day today (cream of mushroom) sounded amazing, but I had my eyes set on the $ 11 Short Rib Sandwich (
) — slow braised short rib of beef in a house made espresso cocoa bbq glaze, caramelized onion, Vella dry jack cheese, and sweet gem lettuce on a toasted rustic bun. The meat was tender and the bbq sauce worked really well with the caramelized onions to give this dish a slight sweet note. The hand-​cut sea salt fries were crispy on the outside with a soft interior just the way I like them. I asked for mayo, which they did not have, but they brought me the most amazing aioli dip instead.
I can’t wait to come back here for dinner — Rumi seems like a great place for a fun date night.

What a great find! I was initially turned off by the negative reviews, but we looked at the pictures on Unilocal and I liked the feel of simple honest food from the photos.
The décor is just like the food unpretentious, simple, but elegant and warm.
The homemade gnocchi appetizer was simply amazing. Very simple, rustic food. The chicken was moist, gnocchi were soft and the gravy was made with white wine reduction — very interesting.
I had the white bean soup special — fresh, rustic simple. The flavors were nicely complimenting each other. The pasta was just perfect — cooked al dente, the sausage in the sauce had a very interesting smoky flavor which was nicely completed with green olives.
Although my eyes really wanted to taste some dessert, I was just too full. I will have to update my review when I will get the dessert next time :)

Mediocre, at best. The restaurant says they offer Mediterranean/​Western Silk Road cuisine. By Western Silk Road, the food should have Eastern European, African, and Middle Eastern influences. Unfortunately, it’s an excuse to use too many spices in a dish with little cohesion.
Valentine’s Day dinner offered a $ 98 prix fixe menu for two that included a salad, entrée, and dessert for each person. Luckily the items on the prix fixe menu can also be ordered a la carte.
We started off with the house made flatbread with trio of dips. The portion of the flat bread is really generous and you will run out of dip first. Most of them are blended pretty well which is why I like the eggplant, walnut, and roasted garlic one the most. That was the chunkiest. Otherwise, I felt like I was just dipping into purée. I would say that Kokkari Estiatorio has the BEST flatbread and dip appetizer. Truly complex flavors with multiple textures and diverse accompaniments.
For entrees, my man got the braised beef short ribs and I got the lamb top sirloin. I have a couple comments…
–DRY. Both our dishes were overcooked and on the dry side. I requested that my lamb top sirloin be cooked medium-​rare and it came out medium.
–SPICES GALORE. There were a lot of different spices cooked with the lamb and I could detect cloves, coriander, cumin and nutmeg among many other spices. They definitely used a heavy hand with the coriander as it was a little nauseating. I cook often with this spice so I know how strong it can get!
–SWEET VEGGIES. The roasted acorn squash with thyme scented apples drizzled with a pomegranate sauce just seemed way too sweet. The good thing is that the sugar snap peas and smashed fingerling potatoes were mild enough to balance out the intensity of the meat and sweeter veggies.
Other than that, the ambiance is cozy. It isn’t a terribly large restaurant but they definitely utilize every space they get and the sound level can go up if the restaurant is full. As for the food, the cuisine is unique and they could have something special going for them. However, execution was a little poor.

Great.

Had Sunday brunch at Rumi today. It was delicious!
FOOD
* House Made Gnocchi: One word– Mmmmmm.
* Short Rib Sandwich: Tasty! If you get garlic fries as a side, you will get a LOT of fries — way more than you’d expect for «a side of fries.»
* Trio of Dips + Flatbread: The dips were delicious and very different from each other, so you’re bound to like at least 1 (or 2 or all 3) of them. The flatbread was also divine & herb-​y.
AMBIANCE
Fancy, with a touch of rustic. I really liked the décor. It has a classy vibe, but most of the customers were pretty dressed down, so you don’t have to wear «uppity» clothing by any means.
SERVICE
Courteous, but a bit slow: the restaurant was only about ½ full, so there was only 1 waiter and 1 chef. (Later, a second chef finally arrived) — so if you want a quick meal, this probably isn’t the right restaurant for that.
*NOTE* Their hours have changed: they are no longer open for lunch on Saturdays. Their website still has their old hours and hasn’t been updated with this yet.