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Beef Kabob

Beef Kabob at Pomir Grill on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester

Beef Kabob at Pomir Grill on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester

I was excited to check out Pomir Grill, a newcomer to the restaurant scene in Worcester.  I had heard only raves about the food and the wonderful family who decided to take the leap to owning a small restaurant.  Having been in the space several times so I was pleasantly surprised with the new decor.  The colors were warm and inviting, totally transforming the room to a cozy restaurant from a grab-and-go sandwich shop.  Our large group dominated the room and I was excited to join the party!

We started with the warm bread brought to our table.  Someone had compared Afghani food to Indian food when describing it to me and I can see where the parallels come from.  This bread is like naan in that it’s a flatbread but it is definitely not identical.  It was light, airy and a perfect vehicle for the sauces that were delivered to the table.  As we waited, I sampled the appetizers that my dining neighbors ordered.  I won’t make the mistake of skipping the appetizers again!  I really enjoyed the spinach kachalu cutlet and look forward to returning to combine this with a soup for a filling meal.  For this visit, I went with a classic entree – beef kabob.  This was served with Zamarut Palaw (spinach rice) (a choice of brown rice with carrots and raisins is also available), a small salad, and grilled vegetables.  The meat was well spiced with a sort of dry rub.  Though it was a bit more done than I usually prefer, it was still tender and delicious.  The rice was tasty and a good complement to the spiced meat.  I really enjoyed the grilled vegetables – a mix of zucchini and eggplant, I believe – which were perfectly tender.  I wasn’t quite able to finish my meal as the portion size was generous and I looked forward to enjoying it for lunch the next day.  I can’t wait to get back to Pomir Grill to check out their lunch specials or to have one of the soups that looked (and smelled) so good on their way to other diners.

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Aushak

Aushak at Pomir Grill on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester

Aushak at Pomir Grill on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester

My first experience eating Afghanistan cuisine made me wanting to come back for more. Pomir Grill, which opened in July, is a small, family-run establishment. The walls are covered with beautiful artwork painted by the wife, co-owner, and sole cook. The restaurant fits between 30-35 people, but has a comfortable waiting area in lieu of a bar (Pomir is BYOB).

Upon being seated, we were greeted immediately by the owner’s daughter who would be our hostess and server for the evening. I decided to start with the Kachalu Cutlets—a lightly, pan-fried potato dish filled with ground beef. The dish arrived with a crispy crust filled with piping hot, flavor-filled ground beef. The potato portion was well seasoned with bits of grated onion. The meat was tender and moist with a lemony hint. My husband and I shared the dish and wished we each had ordered our own.

For my main dish, I eagerly ordered the Aushak—pasta filled with leek and spinach served with beef sauce. The dish arrived and I could not wait to dig in. The pasta was piled high with seasoned ground-beef, lentils, and tomato drizzled in a cool yogurt sauce – a nice contrast in heat, flavor, and texture. The pasta was delightful. The aushak resembled ravioli, however, the dough was delicately thin. The filling was mild and was slightly overpowered by the meat sauce. When I return, I would order this dish again, but have the sauce on the side so that I can greater appreciate the pasta. The dish also has the option of being served with a garlic sauce which seemed like a tasty alternative.

The evening ended with the owners checking in on us and making sure we were satisfied with the food, service, and overall experience. I enthusiastically gave them my accolades: not only will I return, but I will eagerly spread the word to family and friends that the Pomir Grill is a must! -AV