Solmon & Rokeya Chowdhury
Owner Solmon Chowdhury opened Shanti in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 2000 after growing tired of frequently driving into Boston to find authentic Indian cuisine as a real estate developer. After adding a second Shanti location in 2013 with his wife Rokeya in Roslindale, MA over a decade later, Shanti is still praised as “Boston’s Best Indian Cuisine” (2012) by Boston Magazine.
Combining their love of food and entertainment, the husband and wife duo open NAGA Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge, MA in 2013.
As residents of Dudley Square, the Chowdhuries felt an absence of meeting places, which inspired them to open their newest concept, Dudley Cafe in Roxbury, MA in September 2015. The neighborhood cafe provides a space where residents, nine-to-fivers, and commuters can gather around locally sourced food, local art, and expertly crafted coffee.
The Chowdhuries are excited to open their next venture MONROE Restaurant and Nightclub in the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge, MA in mid-January 2016.
Brig Dauber
Nightlife veteran Brig Dauber jumped into the field 15 years ago at Avalon and Axis, where he was the VIP Director and General Manager starting in 2000. Following Avalon’s closure in 2007, Dauber welcomed the opportunity to work at The Estate from 2007-2009, and later at the Roxy from 2009-2010.
Presented with the opportunity to head the renovation and reconceptualization of Royale in 2010, Dauber stayed on until early 2015, when he assisted a friend with his e-commerce company in Cleveland, OH.
After an anticipated opportunity to work with longtime friend, Solmon Chowdhury, Dauber joined forces with him as a Partner at NAGA Nightclub and Restaurant, where he tackled the first of many projects.
Seeing a lack of nightlife and restaurant establishments that offered the combination of nightlife, dining, and lounging done right, Dauber knew that there was a niche market that he could fill—particularly the gap between dinner and going out for the night.
What sets the restaurant and nightclub concept apart from other Central Square businesses and the Greater Boston area nightlife industry is that trifecta of experiences alongside redefining what it means to go out. Dauber wants to change the future of going out, and that starts at MONROE.
MONROE was born from a combination of a long history of nightlife experience and reengineering concepts in a competitive marketplace. Dauber says that the restaurant and nightclub’s name was inspired by the neighborhood history, “There’s a lot of history and connections with super secret things that connect and happen in Cambridge. We’re highlighting and connecting with that. It looks like there are a lot of illuminati. We keep asking about it, but no one tells us.”
On what he’s most excited to experience with the brand new concept, Dauber says, “I’m excited about changing the culture of nightlife again. Creating the next evolution of nightlife. A supper club type of atmosphere without going to a separate place.”
Executive Chef Duy Tran
Executive Chef Duy Tran comes to DooWee’s @ Monroe at a critical time where he matches the vibe of the new restaurant and nightlife concept, which opened in January 2016. Owners Solmon and Rokeya Chowdhury and partner Brig Dauber have known Tran for quite some time and are excited to welcome him to the team.
Chef Duy’s past experience training at Le Cordon Bleu in combination with his Vietnamese heritage, working at Boston’s Wonder Bar and Somerville’s DooWee & Rice restaurants, and at his own pop-ups, lend Tran a hand in offering traditional cuisine with a creative twist.
Diners can find dishes on the menu like chicken & rice, unique bao baos, inspired wings, modern Asian tapas, specials and more, bringing a diverse culinary energy to an already bustling Central Square. DooWee’s at Monroe offers lunch, dinner, and late night eats