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Written by: Dining Out

Persian Cuisine Comes to Pinecrest

Pinecrest’s wide culinary mix recently welcomed something new…and very old.

Rumi Persian Grill, named in honor of the 13th Century Persian poet and scholar Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, has opened at 12257 South Dixie Highway.

The restaurant features delicacies dating back to one of the world’s earliest and greatest empires. Just a few of Rumi’s dishes include gormeh sabzi, bademjan and fesenjan which contain many of  the same ingredients and are just as savory today as they were for Cyrus the Great in the 6th Century BC.

Not quite that long, but for four decades, owners Ali and Homa Khakpour have run successful restaurants in Miami.  They sold their previous cafe in Kendall to retire a few years ago, however became restless as friends, family and former customers craved their distinct Persian cuisine.

They now run Rumi with the help of their son, Reza.  All three handle the preparation of the special family recipes.

“Persian food shares some of the standard ‘Mediterranean’ favorites like hummus, kabobs, stuffed grapes and more,” said Reza Khakpour.  “But our menu also features many finer dishes and gourmet stews.”

Special spices and ingredients such as sumac and pomegranate reduction deliver a more complex and enhanced flavor profile in Persian food, according to the Khakpours.

The slow-cooking stews are especially rich and savory due to the unique flavor mix and intricate, time-consumer preparation.

“The fesenjan is a real effort to get it just right, but it’s delicious and one of our most popular dishes,” according to Reza.

The Khakpours, who live nearby, chose the new Pinecrest location because of the area’s discerning community of foodies and impressive collection of busy restaurants that feature traditional to new wave food options.

The family is excited to add a taste of Persian culture to the mix.

“Rumi wrote hundreds of poems about working on what you love and pleasing others,” say the Khakpours.  “We’re doing all of that that now.”


Rumi Persian Grill is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  For more information, visit www.rumipersiangrill.com or call 305-252-2222.

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Tags: , , Last modified: September 28, 2018