The Ultimate Guide to Dining in Sandy Springs
"“Middle Eastern” food and hospitality is a point of pride for Atlanta, yet it’s Sandy Springs we can thank for its rise. Many of the first Persian restaurants in the area started here, including Ali Mesghali’s first venture, Shamshiri, back in 1998, and Persepolis Persian Cuisine, which he was also involved with. Years later, the Iranian-born and LA-raised chef still remains a top name for the food of his culture, with five locations (including D.C. and Houston) of the Sandy Springs-originated Rumi’s Kitchen under his umbrella. This restaurant has been a mainstay since opening in 2006. Natural light flooding through cream-painted rafters light up the dining room, which feels like a palatial garden courtyard. Start with the Sabzi Tonica, a palate-cleansing cocktail. Move on to the eggplant and pepper hummus topped with chunks of marinated smoked salmon and fresh-baked flatbread, or a version with Merguez lamb sausage. Visit after 4 p.m. for the vinegary roasted cauliflower and the half-and-half stew-tahdig combo from the secret menu — this lets you try both beef stews as an appetizer for only $12." - Su-Jit Lin
