When it comes to late-night food options in Rochester, your choices are typically limited to whether you want cheeseburgers or hot dogs on your garbage plate. Monroe Kabob (201 Monroe Avenue) is offering something different for those looking for the late-night nosh. Monroe Kabob is also open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, however, it stays open till 2:30 a.m., Thursday through Saturday — and the restaurant just happens to be situated between two popular bars on Monroe Avenue (location, location, location).
Ibrahim Mohammad, the shop's owner and chef, is originally from Afghanistan, but the influences for his menu come from India and Pakistan as well. For starters, you'll find traditional samosas — deep-fried pastries filled with potatoes and green peas — on the menu for $1.99. Those are also available with chicken ($2.99). Naan is available in a variety of forms: garlic ($1.99), cheese ($2.99), chicken ($2.49), and Keema ($2.49), which is stuffed with minced lamb and herbs. The appetizer kabob special ($4.99) includes a vegetable samosa, and a variety of pakoras (prepared by dipping vegetables or cheese in chickpea flour and deep-frying) including paneer (cheese), onion, aloo (potato), and spinach.
- PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN
- Chicken wrap: naan, chicken, yogurt, onion, cucumber, tomato.
The chicken, lamb, and beef dishes are all served with a choice of rice, chickpeas, or naan. Biryani (meat or vegetables cooked with heavy cream, herbs, nuts, and raisins) is available with chicken, lamb, or beef (all $6.99) as well as vegetarian ($4.99). If you're looking for something more portable, the lamb seekh wrap ($6.99 — and about a foot long, by the way) features fresh naan, lamb, yogurt, and onions. The bread and kabobs are made to order in a tandoor oven.
Monroe Kabob recently expanded — the business next door closed and they took over that space. The new space includes a few tables to sit down, eat your food, and people-watch. Take-out and delivery is also available.
Monroe Kabob is located at 201 Monroe Avenue, and is open Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. 413-1611. Find it on Facebook at facebook.com/monroekabob.
Quick bites
Wegmans Conference Center (400 Market Street) will host the 6th Annual Iron Chef Competition for East High School culinary students on Sunday, April 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Six teams from East High School will compete for more than $12,000 in scholarships to the school of their choice. Tickets to the event are $35 each or $250 for a table of eight, and can be purchased at any Wegmans service desk.
Restaurant 2 Vine (24 Winthrop Street) has added a happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, featuring $5 glasses of wine and signature cocktails, as well as a special bar menu. 2 Vine will also offer live jazz music by The Clayton Farris Trio from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday night. Visit 2vine.com for more information.
- PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN
- Chicken Biryani with rice cooked with heavy cream, cilantro, nuts, and raisins.
Myer Farm Distillers (7350 NY-89, Ovid) will release its first straight whiskey called John Myer New York Straight Four Grain Whiskey: Single Barrel at a tasting room event on March 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. New vodka selections will also be available to taste.
Chef Matt Petrillo of Antonetta's and The Meatball Truck Co. will host a cooking class at Rosario Pino's (349 West Commercial Street) on Monday, April 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $70 per person and can be purchased at rosariopinos.com.
Openings
Barbato's Bar and Grill has opened at 807 Ridge Road in the Webster Woods Plaza, replacing Moma Ristorante Italiano.
Cannonball Café has opened at 4437 Lake Avenue in the historic Latta-Meech House.
Closings
The 1872 Café (431 West Main Street) has closed.
The Darn Good Cookie Co. (982 Monroe Avenue) has closed.
Chow Hound is a food and restaurant news column. Do you have a tip? Send it to [email protected].