RUMI restaurant in Brunswick East is hosting stunning Summer Sunday Saracen Sessions to bring help to typhoon devastation in the Philippines and to bring good times to Melbourne. With strong typhoons kiling people and bringing massive devastation, there are many families who are homeless, hungry and in need of help. Part of the proceeds of these Saracen Sunday Session at RUMI are to help victims. We went along and experienced this extraordinary Melbourne initiative that excited the palate as well as the soul. It was good to be back enjoying the best of Melbourne on a "four seasons in one" Melbourne kind of weather day.
Chef Tom Sarafian ofBar Saracenand Middle Eastern restaurantRumi recently launched Sarafian’s Sunday Saracen Sessions as a brilliant collab that not only brings an incredible feast but also for a great cause. A feature is a rotating set menu featuring charcoal-grilled dishes, live DJs and flowing arak, Brick Lane beers, cocktails and wine courtesy of Georgia Colbert. Middle Eastern and Filipino top notch dishes washed down with an organic Italian Sangiovese and Brick Lane beers is my kind of Melbourne.
There’s a guest chef takeover each Sunday and the Sunday sessions are vibrant with the event taking place in Rumi’s undercover outdoor dining area in East Brunswick.
Spiced peanuts with dried fish was a great way to start.
Extraordinary chef Ross Magnaye (Rice Paper Sister) bringing his Filipino flair to the barbecue.
We attended the session with chef Ross Magnaye (Rice Paper Sister) bringing his Filipino flair to the barbecue. We were treated to the likes of fresh kinilaw, hummus with spanner crab and king prawns, crab fat coconut fried rice and cassava cake to name a few. Extra menu items were also available such as Oysters with Prawn oil and Spiced peanuts with dried fish. We wanted it all.
Oysters with prawn oil with welcoming spice hit.
Raw tuna dressed with chilli, ginger and shallot and coconut vinegar on fried pita. Once again joyous dining with big flavours and contrasting texture with the fried pita crunch.
Iconic Melbourne dish with Hummus, spanner crab, king prawns, Pan De Sal.
Sarafian’s brother, DJ Nikki Sarafian, busted out accompanying tropical tunes to match the dishes while Georgia Colbert prepared rum cocktails and poured ice-cold Brick Lane Brewery beers on tap.
Organic Italian Sangiovese to wash it all down a sensational wine match.
Get your garlic on.
The Sunday sessions will run every Sunday throughout summer and are priced at $50 per head and include everything but booze which comes at an additional cost.
Main course "The Grill Killa" Filipino charcoal chicken, marinated with turmeric, lemongrass, kaffir lime, banana ketchup and sprite.
It’s open from noon until late and bookings are required for the outdoor dining area, with a maximum of ten guests per booking. There are three sittings commencing at noon, 3pm, and 6pm, and walk-ins are welcome in the adjacent beer garden.
