Rooki's Kitchen, an Ethiopian concept by chef Ali Lemma, has joined the lineup of Switchman Hall, a food hall scheduled to open later this year in Peoplestown's Terminal South development.
A native of the Atlanta metropolitan area, Lemma is a self-taught chef and worked in business development for several years before deciding to leave the corporate world behind. He spent time learning the basics of Ethiopian cooking from his mother Rukia, who grew up in Ethiopia. Lema first opened Rooki's Kitchen in the East Atlanta Village Community Food Hall and remained there for almost two years until the food hall closed in March.
Now, he plans to move into a 345-square-foot stall in Switchman Hall. Ruki's Kitchen offers four entrees including segativ, a sirloin steak marinated in Ethiopian spices; Ethiopian curry chicken dorotibu. Assert black salmon with Ethiopian spices. The four-vegetable plate includes gomen, chopped collard greens braised in herbal oil, onions, and garlic. Vegan Berber stew with mesir and spicy red lentils. Tikel is stewed cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. and timatim fitfit, which is injera tossed with pureed tomato, onion, and jalapeno sauce.
All meat dishes are served with onions, garlic, tomatoes and your choice of vegetables and either injera rolls or yellow basmati rice.
Credit: Provided by Ruki's Kitchen
Credit: Provided by Ruki's Kitchen
Until Switchman Hall opens, Lemma will continue to host pop-ups Thursdays through Saturdays at Tonearm in Decatur and every Sunday at Punk Hoodie at Ponce City Market.
Terminal South is a mixed-use development located at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive near the Southside Beltline Trail. The 45,625-square-foot project will include an 18-seat Switchman Hall in Building 1 south of the terminal, and Building 2 will house the development's only full-service restaurant, PÜR Zen Mimosa Wine Bar.
Additional concepts announced for the food hall include Everyday People Caffeine and Cocktails, Saint Jawns, Original Hot Dog Factory, Perfect Seasoning, Southern Grace, Te Quiero Tacos, Tiger K Cup Bob, Sabu K Ramen, The Cream, and Smooth N Includes Groove, DM Sliders, Flat Out Flatbread and Life Bistro.
Switchman Hall joins more than a dozen food halls across metro Atlanta, with several more scheduled to open next year, including Chamblee Tap & Market, Politan in Peachtree Corners – Includes Lowe Food Hall and Haridom Eatery in East Atlanta.
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