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The inside of Little Sesame, with pale wooden accents and plenty of green plants on the wall
Little Sesame is scheduled to open on Tuesday, August 28 at 11 a.m.
James Jackson/Eater DC

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Downtown’s New Little Sesame Looks Like an Airy Desert Oasis

The pastel-hued hummus spot is scheduled to open on Tuesday, August 28

by Tierney Plumb
All photos by James Jackson
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

Quick-serve Middle Eastern shop Little Sesame makes its standalone debut this week, giving its dense 9-to-5 neighborhood a sun-drenched destination to grab hummus bowls, pita sandwiches, salads, sides, and desserts.

The 1,400-square-foot restaurant, scheduled to open on Tuesday, August 28 at 11 a.m. (1828 L Street NW), originally sat a couple blocks north in Dupont Circle inside the upscale Jewish deli DGS Delicatessen that shuttered in February.

Little Sesame’s new 30-seat location is the bigger and brighter answer to the original window-less subterranean space. Edit Lab at Streetsense (behind the Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat and The Dabney) created a mood-enhancing daytime design with Palm Springs, Calif. vibes, complete with lots of modern geometric shapes and sleek turquoise and white subway tiling. Like its tropical sister spot in Navy Yard — the palm-filled Rosé Garden outside Whaley’s — Little Sesame is also packed with lots of vines and potted plants.

Edit Lab’s team visited Israel’s vibrant markets for inspiration. Guests can also park with their pitas on a 12-seat outdoor patio facing L Street.

Co-owners Nick and David Wiseman, who also operate Hill Prince in the Atlas District, are partners with Israeli native Ronen Tenne on Little Sesame. The team blends hummus every morning with organic chickpeas and also makes their own spice blends, sauces, pickles, and condiments. Little Sesame is projected to operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday (and go dark on Saturdays and Sundays), with no alcohol. Stay tuned for more menu intel and food photos.

Status: Scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28. 1828 L Street NW; website.

Scroll on for a look inside the whimsical fast-casual eatery:

Little Sesame can seat 30 guests inside.
James Jackson/Eater DC
Little Sesame is accented by colorful geometric tiles and a sea of succulents.
James Jackson/Eater DC
Little Sesame customers can saddle up to wooden stools and benches, surrounded by white subway tiling and leafy potted plants.
James Jackson/Eater DC
Little Sesame will only be open during the week to capitalize on foot traffic from nearby 9-to-5 workers.
James Jackson/Eater DC
Little Sesame’s 12-seat patio is flanked by neon chairs and stark white tables.
James Jackson/Eater DC
Little Sesame makes its own spices and condiments to accompany pitas and hummus bowls.
James Jackson/Eater DC

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