Sameem Afghan Restaurant Nears Reopening in Grove

By Ian Froeb Wed., Nov. 23 2011 at 11:15 AM

Categories: Restaurant News & Reviews, Restaurant Roll Call

Jennifer Silverberg

Sameem owner Qayum Mohammad, photographed in 2005

As Gut Check reported in July, Sameem Afghan Restaurant is returning after a hiatus of nearly two years.

(The original Sameem location at 3191 South Grand Boulevard became Al Waha Restaurant & Hookah Lounge, serving Bedouin cuisine.)

Signage now hangs above the entrance, a kitchen has been built from scratch, the dining tables are in place, and owner Qayum Mohammad tells Gut Check that the new space at 4341 Manchester Avenue in Forest Park Southeast's Grove district could open in as soon as three weeks.

Mohammad stresses that while there isn't much work left to be done to the building, he is not in a rush.

"We want to be 100 percent [ready]," he says.

Mohammad says the new Sameem will be "very improved" from the original restaurant, with "more new entrées and great specialties."

Fans of Sameem and Afghan cuisine in general likely already know that Mohammad also owns and operates Kabob Palace (14424 Manchester Road, Manchester; 636-230-8800).

Mohammad tells Gut Check that Kabob Palace is doing very well in its third year -- especially remarkable, Mohammad notes, as the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol.

Gut Check will have more on the return of Sameem when it opens it doors in three weeks -- or whenever Mohammad decides the restaurant is 100 percent.