Cult Montrose Brunch Favorite Goes up in Flames

A Montrose brunch fixture has gone up in flames. Baba Yega, the spacious-yet-cozy cult favorite at 2607 Grant, caught fire around 9 pm on Friday night. The converted bungalow is still standing but damaged — and the restaurant will not reopen till 2019.

The blaze, which is believed to have started by the front entrance, began about an hour before the restaurant was supposed to close. All guests and employees exited the building safely. The cause has not yet been determined.

Firefighters arrived on the scene to see flames eating up the roof, which is still mostly intact.

The restaurant, owned by Fred Sharifi and Ashkan and Sue Nowamooz since July 2016, shared a photo of the firefighters on Facebook, posting, “Thank you to the brave and amazing women and men who took care of us tonight and every day. Unfortunately because of the fire we are closed at the moment until further notice and will keep you posted.”

The Baba Yega Facebook also noted in one of the comments that “all of our staff have homes at our Hungry’s locations.”

Baba Yega, which opened back in 1975, is perhaps best known for its $25 brunch buffet and scenery, with a hundred-years-old oak in front and the back patio with a lush garden, waterfall, fish pond and fountains.

The diverse menu is fairly surprising, with a multitude of meaty burgers alongside many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free meals.

Baba Yega is indeed named after the Slavic witch. But unlike most witches, Baba Yega gladly welcomed water on Friday.

It’s bye, bye Baba Yega — for now.