On a recent weekday, I met a friend for lunch in the Exchange Place / Jersey City area and we decided to go to Rumi Turkish Grill.  Rumi Turkish Grill is a small Turkish bistro / restaurant that ought to be really busy for the impressive quality of food that it serves.  There was a lunch special of an appetizer, entrée, and a drink all for $12.95 and it was well worth the money given the high quality and taste of all dishes that we got.  Rumi Turkish Grill is certainly not as expensive as Amelia’s Bistro or Light Horse Tavern (both are sit-down restaurants and have a good spread for lunch too, but their food is more American comfort food).

Inside Rumi Turkish Grill

At Rumi Turkish Grill we got the hummus, a spicy vegetable spread, chicken adana kebab and chicken sheesh kebab.  I got a house made Ayran to drink, although I was tempted by some nectars (peach, apricot, and sour cherry).  

We got some warm pita bread straight off the grill as soon as we ordered.  The hummus and the spicy vegetable spread came shortly after.  The hummus was smooth, slightly creamy, and with adequate tahini for good flavor.  While this was not the best hummus one can have in the NYC area, it was certainly at the higher end of the spectrum on quality.  The spicy vegetable was delicious – it tasted like a spicy muhammara.  The vegetable spread was made with minced tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, nuts and herbs with olive oil.  I wish they had used less oil, but other wise, this dish was excellent!

Hummus with warm pita bread at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Spicy Vegetable spread and warm pita bread at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Chicken sheesh kebab with a grilled tomato, a grilled pepper and warm rice at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Chicken adana kebab with a grilled tomato, grilled pepper and warm rice at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Housemade Ayran (yoghurt drink) at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City