Traditional Middle Eastern cuisine served in a relaxed restaurant with a terrace.
Jennifer Stewart
I passed by this restaurant several times while walking in the Inman park area and was excited to finally try it out. The warm atmosphere and extensive menu didn’t disappoint! Our server, Simone, was amazing and gave us the best suggestions on what dishes to explore. Ended up getting the whole stuffed branzino and hubby had the lamb neck. The sabzi polo (rice dish) was huge, with enough to share and take home. Can’t wait to come back and bring friends to try more of the menu.
… moreAnvita Kotha
Attentive service and gorgeous atmosphere, even sitting outside. Although it was cold, they provided blankets and heaters and it was still so lively! I enjoyed everything I tried. It was thoughtful and flavorful. The beet carpaccio presentation was lovely, the eggplant dip was delicious. I thought the falafel tasted fresh and had more flavor than typical falafel do (I find them to be a bit bland usually). My friend enjoyed her lamb skewers, she said it was delicious. The bread and complimentary appetizer was good too! I think the only thing I didn’t enjoy fully was the lava cake dessert, it sounded really good but the cardamom was a bit overpowering. No fault of the restaurant, just a subjective opinion.
… moreAlia Scott
My friend and I did a Christmas gift exchange here the other day, and WOW!!! First of let me start by saying Amanda (out server) and Jason (our bartender) were freaking AMAZING!!!!! they lost definitely made the experience! The food was amazing and the atmosphere was Soo top tier! We all said we will be back sooner than later and to top it off it was reasonable considering the portion sizes and the authentic flavors. Thx again Amanda you were great and knew that menu!!!
… moreNefertiti Browne
I came here for my anniversary dinner, and everything was wonderful from start to finish! The food was delicious, flavorful, and reasonably priced. John was our server and he made our night with his great service! He knew the menu inside and out, gave amazing recommendations, and checked on us often without ever feeling overbearing. He even surprised us with a complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary, which was such a thoughtful touch! The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a special night out. Definitely recommend checking this place out!
… moreDirk Johnson
What a beautiful place with amazing food. We had brunch here and it was absolutely lovely. From endless flatbread to the amazing rice dish we enjoyed everything we had. I did not know that white sauce (labneh?) does not come with kabob and would order that in addition next time. I can’t wait to come back and try the drink menu!
… moreEzana Assefa
True rating: 3.5 stars.
You’re coming here for great apps, nice drinks, service, and a fitting ambiance. The main entrees were underwhelming, especially for a place of this reputation. Your server will tell you this but the dishes are def meant to be shared (so as a party of two, we ordered one grain (Sabzi Polo) and one meat (Gheimeh Bademjoon).
Highlights: The Dill Labneh (with lamb & za’atar) was amazing. For drinks, the Guavamente and Dubai Drift were GREAT (Guavamente has banana and we were pleasantly surprised it wasn’t overpowering). Our server was very helpful and attentive and the ambiance/vibe would best be described as “captivating” and “alluring”.
For a Persian place, I was expecting the lamb to be top tier… and again, underwhelmed. The Gheimeh Bademjoon was decently cooked but lacked flavor that the dish relied solely on the stew to provide. It was paired with the Sabzi Polo, which was supposed to have the “burnt” part of the rice but unfortunately tasted more stale than crispy.
With that said, would be interested in trying them again (definitely something else this time though).
… moreErin Jones
What a perfect way to start a relaxing Sunday. The food was chef’s kiss! Our waiter explained the menu and gave recommendations. He also asked about any food allergies which is rare. I love the sunroom and optional patio seating. Most appetizers & sides are big enough to share. We loved the diverse crowd and the overall aestetic atmosphere. My only take away was the Paloma is a spicy drink here so I replaced it with a Gauvamente Martini.
… moreKate Porrini
Essence was absolutely excellent. Such a welcoming personality and so kind. Helped us through the entire menu and had fantastic recommendations! She has true genuine authenticity as a server. Great hiring choice! Keep her happy. 😉
… moreSophia Dayani
I came here for my birthday dinner and honestly couldn’t have picked a better spot. The food, drinks, and service were all on point. Our server, Sydney, was amazing and honestly had the best personality. She was training another server, Fernando, and they both were very attentive without being overbearing. They made the whole experience feel elevated without being over-the-top.
The GM, Nitish, even stopped by our table to check in. He was genuinely kind and welcoming. Little touches like that always stand out!
We sat outside and the ambiance was perfect. I’m so glad I chose this place for my birthday. Highly, highly recommend!
Favorite small bites/spreads/grains:
Wings, Hummus (with mushroom, shishito, and egg), Mast Khiyar, sabzi polo
Favorite Entrees:
Joojeh kabob and chinjeh (favorite!!)
I’m allergic to nuts so our dessert was the cardamom gelato (so good!)
… morejennimcfall
Max was so sweet and attentive. A perfectionist. Our food was probably the best middle eastern we’ve ever had. The beet carpaccio I could eat every day. All of it you could eat everyday and afford too which we LOVED after a ridiculously expensive dinner two nights ago. We would want to come back and will if we move here! 😉 Delicious!!!
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