Sameem Afghan Restaurant owner will open another restaurant in The Grove

Veggie-lovers in The Grove will have something to be excited about when Sameem Afghan Restaurant owner Fahime Mohammad opens his new, currently untitled vegetarian concept in February or early March. The restaurant will occupy 4353 Manchester Ave., the corner spot previously used by Iron & Rye, which closed in December.

“We have a universal vegetarian concept – food from around the world with more emphasis from the Middle East,” Mohammad said. “A lot of people are leaning towards vegetarian consumption.”

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner during the week, as well as for brunch on the weekends. Mohammad intends to incorporate a vegetarian buffet during lunch service with an “international brunch” on weekends. 

“Arabic, Mediterranean, Afghani, Persian… everyone has different flavors and food items for breakfast,” he said. “Where we’re from, the Middle East, vegetarian consumption is just a default way of life. Falafel, baba ghanoush. How about some flavored hummus? Radishes?”

Mohammad said there will be a heavy emphasis on fresh juices and different varieties of cheese as well. 

Currently there is no bar program in the works, but it remains a possibility. “The alcohol thing is TBD,” he explained. 

The restaurant will seat around 60 and will also double as an event space; Mohammad said Sameem customers frequently ask about catering and events, and he aims to satisfy those demands in his new space. 

Mohammad said having a corner location will make the restaurant a prime spot for takeout orders and even curbside service where diners could order online for pickup. “We’re very excited. We’re very grateful for the technology nowadays,” he said.

Adam Rothbarth is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.