Five-Star Fiction. One-Star Reality. Apparently, Rumi's Kitchen has mastered one aspect of the restaurant business: creative writing. Unfortunately, cooking, hospitality, and customer service remain largely illusory. I was initially persuaded to visit by the restaurant's numerous glowing five-star reviews. Having now experienced Rumi's Kitchen firsthand, I find those testimonials increasingly difficult to reconcile with reality. One recent review, in particular, reads less like an authentic dining experience and more like a luxury hospitality press release. Complete with remarkably polished photographs, an eerily empty dining room, and prose so extravagantly flattering that even the bathrooms receive a standing ovation. The waiter apparently had mesmerizing blue eyes. The Persian tea induced a spiritual homecoming to Tehran. Every bite inspired collective astonishment. I half expected the reviewer to describe the valet ascending into heaven. Who wrote this masterpiece? Was it solicited, compensated, or simply the work of an unusually enthusiastic customer? I cannot establish that. But its resemblance to promotional copy is difficult to ignore, particularly when its account of the restaurant bears almost no resemblance to what I personally witnessed. The review describes warmth, graciousness, and extraordinary hospitality. I personally witnessed the owner berating someone at a table. Our own reception was scarcely more welcoming. Despite having reservations, we were largely ignored by the hostess and treated with an indifference that seemed entirely at odds with the restaurant's carefully cultivated image. Apparently, the reviewer and I have very different definitions of Persian hospitality. And then there was the food. In a city celebrated for its exceptional Persian cuisine, Rumi's Kitchen manages the remarkable feat of making some of its most fundamental staples taste dreadful. The rice and yogurt, two elementary measures of any respectable Persian kitchen, were astonishingly poor. The yogurt was grainy, watery, and unpleasant. The rice was equally disappointing. These are not ambitious culinary experiments requiring a sophisticated palate to appreciate. They are basics, and Rumi's Kitchen couldn't even get those right. The rest of the meal was no more inspiring. The ingredients tasted cheap, the preparation was careless, and the prices were extraordinary. One gets the impression that the restaurant's enormous investment in its spectacular interior must somehow be recovered through economizing on what actually goes onto the plate. You needn't be a food critic, a Persian culinary historian, or even a particularly frequent diner to recognize inferior ingredients and poorly prepared food. You simply need functioning taste buds. What makes this experience especially offensive isn't merely the inedible food or the abysmal service. It's the apparent contempt for the intelligence of the customer. Diners are seemingly expected to disregard what happens before their own eyes and accept a beautifully packaged fantasy instead. If the restaurant devoted as much attention to genuine hospitality and competent cooking as it apparently does to cultivating its image, perhaps those effusive five-star reviews would become more believable. To be fair, the architecture is spectacular. The interior design is exquisite. The photographs are beautiful. But aesthetics cannot compensate for dreadful service, offensive behavior, or food that has no business commanding these prices. A spectacular interior can disguise many things. Evidently, competent cooking and sincere hospitality aren't among them. Five stars for the fiction. One star for the reality. My advice? Admire the architecture, question the glowing testimonials, and eat somewhere else. If you must visit, take a photograph and leave. Los Angeles has far too many exceptional Persian restaurants to waste an evening paying luxury prices for substandard food and hospitality that borders on contempt. After all, the only thing Rumi's Kitchen seems truly committed to serving is an illusion. And one final warning: Check your bill carefully. Rumi's Kitchen quietly tacks an additional service fee onto every check, further inflating prices that were already difficult to justify. Apparently, charging exorbitant prices for mediocre food wasn't quite enough. At least the restaurant is consistent: the hospitality disappoints from the moment you arrive until the moment you pay. read more

A Stunning Restaurant That Fails Miserably Where It Matters Most Rumi's Kitchen in Century City is undeniably a beautifully designed restaurant, with a grand entrance and an impressive atmosphere. Unfortunately, the experience falls remarkably short in the three areas that actually matter: food quality, service, and hospitality. The food was terribly disappointing, particularly given the restaurant's reputation and pricing. The Soltani arrived with a surprisingly small, gristly, overcooked piece of meat that was wholly unacceptable for a restaurant positioning itself at this level. The mast moosier and mast khiar were somehow even worse. Both had an unpleasantly grainy, soupy consistency and an odd taste that suggested something was seriously wrong with their preparation. They were among the worst yogurt-based Persian appetizers I have ever been served. The service was equally disappointing, beginning before we even reached our table. Despite arriving ten minutes early for our reservation, we were left waiting nearly an hour to be seated in a restaurant that was only partially occupied. Once seated, the staff seemed largely indifferent to our presence. Service was painfully slow, inattentive, and poorly coordinated. Our entrées arrived at different times, with one guest left waiting for their meal until nearly everyone else had finished eating. The rest of us faced the absurd choice of allowing our food to get cold or beginning our meals while another member of our party sat without theirs. After approximately twenty minutes, there was little choice but to eat. Adding to the disappointment, the owner appeared to be drinking at the bar while tables went unattended. The overall attitude of the staff suggested a remarkable lack of concern for the guest experience, with little sense of urgency, attentiveness, or accountability. It is particularly frustrating because the restaurant itself is stunning. Clearly, considerable thought and expense went into creating an impressive physical space. Unfortunately, that attention to detail seems to have stopped at the dining room's appearance. A beautiful setting cannot compensate for poorly prepared food, indifferent service, and a fundamental lack of hospitality. In an area with so many excellent Persian restaurants, there is simply no compelling reason to tolerate an experience this disappointing. Not recommended. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Chris Flanagan! From the moment we sat down, Chris greeted us with the most incredible, warm, and welcoming energy. His enthusiasm was absolutely contagious! What made Chris so exceptional was his genuine passion for what he does. He was so excited to walk us through the menu, share his favorite dishes, and explain the different flavors and ingredients. It was immediately apparent that this wasn't just a job to him, he truly loves what he does, and that passion shines through in every interaction. But what impressed us most was his genuine appreciation and enthusiasm for Persian culture. Chris has clearly immersed himself in learning about Persian cuisine, its spices, flavors, and traditions, and he was even excited about learning the language! There was something so refreshing and heartwarming about seeing someone embrace another culture with such curiosity, respect, and excitement. Chris is truly one of a kind. His warmth, authenticity, passion, and infectious positive energy elevated our entire dining experience. You simply cannot teach that kind of hospitality. He has a natural gift for making people feel welcomed, appreciated, and excited to be there. Chris is an absolute gem, and any restaurant would be incredibly lucky to have him. We will absolutely be back, and Chris is a big reason why! The food/drinks were also deliciously impressive. Highlights; -Kashk -crispy potatoes -soltani -Gormeh sabzi -pistachio passport Can't wait to return and try other items and dessert! read more

Extremely Disappointing Experience -- Unprofessional and Disrespectful Management My experience at Rumi Restaurant in Century City was extremely disappointing, primarily because of the way the female manager treated me. Her behavior was incredibly rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. The way she spoke to and treated a customer was completely unacceptable. As a customer, I expect to be treated with basic courtesy and respect, and unfortunately, that was not the experience I received. A manager should be setting an example for the staff and helping create a welcoming environment, not making customers feel disrespected and unwelcome. I strongly urge upper management to look into this manager's conduct and address the way she interacts with customers. This kind of behavior reflects poorly on the restaurant and raises serious concerns about its customer service standards. What should have been a pleasant dining experience instead left me frustrated and disappointed. Based on this experience, I have no desire to return to Rumi Restaurant. Management needs to take customer complaints seriously. No customer should have to put up with this kind of disrespectful and unprofessional treatment. read more

We went to Rumi's Kitchen as a group and left feeling genuinely disappointed. The entire dinner felt disorganized from the start. Our food and drinks arrived at different times, forcing our six-person group to eat separately. It was frustrating because we had come to enjoy dinner together, not one person at a time. The food was another letdown. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi and was surprised by how bland it was. I've had this dish at plenty of other restaurants - and, of course, growing up at home - and this was easily one of the most disappointing versions I've tried. The portions were also surprisingly small, especially considering the high prices. What bothered me most, however, was the staff's attitude. No one seemed particularly concerned about the delays or our dissatisfaction. Rather than being welcoming, they came across as arrogant and dismissive, as though our taste buds were too unsophisticated to merit consideration. I really wanted to like this place, but between the mediocre food, poor service, and high prices, I just don't see the appeal. read more

What a fantastic addition to Century City! Rumi offers a beautiful and creative take on Persian cuisine with a delightful Mediterranean touch. The food was absolutely phenomenal, both in flavor and presentation. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully plated, especially the perfectly designed rice with its gorgeous, golden, crispy tahdig! We tried the lamb shank, shish kebab, koobideh, and kashk bademjan, and everything was outstanding! The flavors were rich, authentic, and beautifully balanced, with a modern twist that makes this restaurant truly special. What made our experience even more memorable was the exceptional hospitality. Gabriella and Ali were absolutely amazing! Their warmth, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality made us feel right at home. Rumi's kitchen is more than just a place to enjoy great food. It's a wonderful dining experience that brings together delicious flavors, elegant presentation, and heartfelt hospitality. Highly recommended, and we can't wait to come back! read more

We had a wonderful experience at Rumi's Kitchen in Century City. The restaurant recently opened, and the space has a beautiful ambiance. It feels modern, elegant, and warm at the same time, with a lively but still comfortable atmosphere that works really well for dinner. The food was excellent. The Soltani was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and we also really enjoyed the mast-o-khiar, mast-o-musir, and zeytoon parvardeh. The Persian ice cream sandwich was a great finish and one of the highlights of the meal. What made the experience especially memorable was our server, Terry. He was incredibly patient, friendly, and attentive. He took the time to explain the menu and starters, gave thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the entire dinner. His service really elevated the whole experience. Wonderful job by the entire Rumi's Kitchen team, and a special thank you to Terry for making our first visit exceptional. We will definitely be back. read more

Got to check out Rumi's Kitchen during the friends and family opening, and it was absolutely lights out. The location, scene, music, decor, and overall vibe were all on point. It feels fresh, modern, and completely different from the traditional Persian restaurant experience. The food was ridiculously good. Even dishes I've had countless times before had some extra layer of flavor that made them feel new and different. Everything we tried was delicious, and the presentation was next level. This is true fine dining Persian food and really unlike anything else we have in Los Angeles. It's definitely a splurge, but if you're looking for an elevated Persian dining experience, this place is an absolute must. Already looking forward to going back and trying the rest of the menu. Oh, and I bumped into Maz Jobrani while walking to check out the outside bar HAHA read more

Waited years for Rumi's kitchen to open up, and it was obviously worth it. Between the ambience, the service and the food we couldn't have been happier things just feel thoughtful and done with precision, even though it was their first official day when we went to dine. It felt like they've been doing it for a month so we were really surprised and happy with that. All we wish is more time for them to fine tune certain little things but overall great food, great drinks, great service, and great ambience. This is definitely a next level dining experience for Persian cuisine. It's definitely not the cheapest Persian food option ......but you do get what you pay for, which is good quality food and a great ambience! I would absolutely recommend Rumis Kitchen you won't be disappointed. 9/10!! read more

Had an excellent experience at Rumi's Kitchen in Century City. I've been to just about every Persian restaurant in LA, and Rumi's is easily one of my favorites. The food was fantastic--everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The kabobs were perfectly cooked, the rice was excellent, and you can tell a lot of attention goes into the presentation and quality. Our waiter was a really nice young Persian guy who was friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. The service overall was excellent. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a great upscale atmosphere and ambiance. It's nice to see Persian cuisine presented in a modern, elevated setting like this. Great food, great service, and a beautiful restaurant. Definitely coming back! read more

Rumi's Kitchen in Century City is easily the best Persian restaurant in town. I've tried pretty much all of them, and Rumi's truly stands out. The food is absolutely incredible everything is fresh, flavorful, beautifully presented, and consistently excellent. The ambiance is upscale, warm, and inviting, making it perfect for anything from a nice dinner to a special occasion. The service was also fantastic attentive, friendly, and professional from start to finish. Amazing food, beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service. Rumi's has quickly become my favorite Persian restaurant. Highly recommend! read more

Honestly, this place has such a fantastic vibe! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and perfectly lively. The staff was incredibly friendly and made us feel right at home. As for the food--everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared. You can tell they really care about quality here. It's the perfect spot for a delicious dinner or a fun night out. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back! read more

We had such a great experience at this restaurant! Our server Terry was incredibly nice, friendly, and attentive. He made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived and went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience. It's always refreshing to receive such genuine kindness and excellent service. He really made our visit extra special, and we truly appreciated it. We will definitely be back! Thank you for the amazing service! read more

This place is really amazing. Unlike any other Persian restaurant I've been to in LA or anywhere, really. The closest comp I can give is like what Javier's is to the average Mexican restaurant. This was Persian food, but elevated and more like modern fine dining. The presentation was absolutely beautiful, but the food was ridiculously delicious. Can't wait to go back and try some of the other stuff on the menu. Definitely a must-try place. read more

Abysmal hospitality. Even worse service. Food bordering on inedible. In a city celebrated for exceptional Persian cuisine, this restaurant has somehow mastered the art of serving its most expensive disappointment. read more

Super excited to try this highly anticipated Persian restaurant. Cannot wait. It's location and ambiance already look great. Countdown begins. read more