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Little Sesame opened at the beginning of the month. The all-hummus restaurant, similar to those in Israel (as well as Philadelphia's Dizengoff), is located in DCS Delicatessen's former private dining room in the basement. The newly renovated space, with whitewash brick and a basket-weave floor, was designed by EditLab.
The restaurant-within-a-restaurant serves hummus bowls, salad, and pita with prices ranging from $8-12 on weekdays. The hummus is made fresh daily with organic chickpeas and tahini imported form Israel.
The hummus shop only has seven Yelp reviews so far, with an overall rating of four and a half stars, but the photo-friendly bowls are making quite a splash on Instagram already. Read on for the early word on Little Sesame:
The So So Good News: Many diners can't get more descriptive than that. Facebook user Lauren Shweder Biel writes, "It was SO GOOD!" and Instagrammer @alyssacmpagnoni says, "so so good!" PoPville commenter Michael M says, "Ate there today and it was good; I’d go back." [FB, Instagram, PoP]
The Best Hummus Ever News: Instagrammer @judyinga says, "Best Hummus I’ve ever tasted!" and Instagrammer @be_gouda calls it "killer." Twitter user @MorganCarlston is the sole detractor. He writes, "Very creamy but flavor slightly off." [Instagram, Twitter]
The Excellent Pita News: Yelper Kolomya K. says the pita was "excellent." Yelper David D. also appreciated the bread's authenticity. He writes, "the pita is correct, unlike just about every other variety you'll find in the US, which is a wonderful surprise." [Yelp]
The Winter Squash Wins the Prize News: This veggie is emerging as a favorite topping. Instagrammer @cwn.dutilh writes, "hummus bowls are my new fave thing especially when accompanied by winter squash." Edible DC writes, "the winter squash bowl wins the prize: different types of squash roasted until just caramelized, topped with pomegranate molasses and parsley. Yum." [Instagram, Edible DC]
The Other Hummus Toppings News: Yelper Emma S. ordered the roasted beets with soft yogurt and hazelnut duke. She writes, "the sweet notes of the beet really comes through. " Yelper Alexander L., who ordered the fried cauliflower bowl, writes, " the cauliflower went better with the hummus than I expected." Instagrammer @charissa_b loved the pastrami. [Yelp, Instagram]
The Addictive Hot Sauce News: Instagrammer @nyccinellis calls the homemade hot sauce "addictive." Yelper Amy S. writes, "The sauce was not that hot but had the most unique taste- maybe there was cardamom in it?" [Instagram, Yelp]
The Expensive News: Some PopVille commenters think the prices for hummus are too high at Little Sesame. Commenter justinbc writes, "You can buy a huge tub of Sabra from Costco for like $7. There’s really not a lot of culinary expertise required to warrant the upcharge." Twitter user @ElaineF adds, "$12 hummus is DC’s answer to SF’s $5 toast." [PoP, Twitter]
The Good for Vegetarians News: Edible DC writes, "Little Sesame proudly joins a growing veggie-centric fast casual movement in DC. Four of the five bowls are veggie based…" PoPville commenter Eleven writes, "Love all the vegetarian options" and Yelper D.E. says, "So yummy and healthy. Plus tons of vegetarian and vegan options." [Edible DC, PoP, Yelp]