A new Persian restaurant from Amir Hajimaleki—chef and owner of District Kitchen and Cocktails, Oasthouse Kitchen and Bar, Keepers Coastal Kitchen, and Daisy Lounge—is now offering dishes that Hajimaleki has been serving at exclusive pop-up dinners across Austin since 2018.

On the menu

Roya honors Hajimaleki’s family heritage, according to a news release, serving dishes including:

Wild mushroom borani, with garlic labneh, fire-roasted mushrooms, black garlic chili oil, pine nuts and taftoonMahiche gheymeh, with saffron tomato braised lamb shank, split peas, dried lime and shoestring sibzaminiWagyu chenjeh kabob, with Australian wagyu, Roya fenugreek seasoning and tarragon chimichurri“Roya is deeply personal for me, it’s a way to honor my family, my roots, and the traditions I grew up with,” Hajimaleki said in a news release. “I’ve been able to learn more about Iran’s beautiful history and culture through Roya, and the best part is I get to share what Persian culture is to our Austin community.”

Additionally, the restaurant will offer the Sofreh Experience, a curated Persian dining experience in which the chef picks out and courses the dishes for the guests.

The drink menu will offer wines and craft cocktails including:

The Babajooni, a beluga gold line vodka martini with lemon and white sturgeon caviarThe Talla, with turmeric-infused bourbon, lemon and honeyThe Ajeel, with pistachio and walnut-infused vodka, golden currant syrup, lemon, and pumpkin seed orgeatDennis Van, the current pastry chef of all of Hajimaleki’s concepts and a previous winner of Netflix’s “Sugar Rush,” will oversee desserts at Roya. Van will also be a culinary partner in the business.

Quote of note

“At its core, it’s about the art of hospitality that’s central to Persian culture,” Hajimaleki said in the release. “I wanted Roya to feel like being welcomed into someone’s home, while offering a perspective beyond the stereotypes people often see. Through the food, the space, and the experience, we hope to share the warmth, generosity, and beauty of Persian culture.”

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