THE PLACE: Man, I miss giving the Cocktail Tours I used to run before the pandemic. Not just because they were awesome and I got to hang out at some of the best cocktail bars in town, but also because I really got to explore the local late night food scene in the East Village. I would have made multiple weekly stops at Kolachi (open daily until midnight), which is a unique Pakistani joint specializing in late night food. The shop is small, clean and modern – stark white with a neatly composed menu.
THE MENU: Keeping it simple, the menu consists of four things: spiced French fries and three different paratha rolls (chicken, beef, or plant-based). This is one place where it is possible to try the entire menu in one visit. It also fills a bit of a gap in terms of cuisine with flavors that used to be alive and well nearby on East 6th Street when Indian restaurants lined the block. There also really hasn’t been a good Kathi roll option on the east side in a while.
THE DISH: While I might have been able to try the entire menu, I restrained myself and just got their Chicken Roll, which is petite and perfect for a snack that packs a punch. The small size didn’t bother me because it still had lots of flavor – spicy and buttery with a hint of sweetness. The spice is actually pretty serious and builds up into a whirlwind of flavor. It’s tamed slightly by the richness of the paratha bread and the juicy chicken. These late night places tend to come and go in this neighborhood (I should know), but here’s hoping Kolachi is one that sticks around for a while. Price: $6.50
| KOLACHI |
| 130 First Avenue (between St. Marks Place and East 7th Street), East Village (917) 262-0633 |
| kolachirolls.com |
