4000 Wisconsin Avenue, NW at Upton
Botiwalla — Chai Pani Restaurant Group’s fast-casual concept with four other locations — will also debut in D.C. at Upton Place.
I’m told: “Botiwalla is a celebration of India’s late night street food scene – with its craveworthy chaats and sizzling grilled meats. There’s a good bit of crossover on Chai Pani and Botiwalla menus…we’re hoping to open by the end of the year.”
“Botiwalla is Chef Meherwan Irani’s homage to his life long love of kababs and Irani Cafes.
Irani Cafes were originally tea and kabab houses run by Irani Zoroastrians that emigrated from Persia to India in the late 19th and early 20th century (Meherwan’s great-grandfather Sheriar Irani was one of those immigrants). With a strange and wonderful mash-up of Victorian decor and Indian sensibilities, they catered to the English colonialists’ love of high tea and afternoon snacks.
After the British left India, Irani Cafes survived, adapting their menus to Indian tastes, serving a unique style of Indo-Persian (Parsi) cuisine that often included kababs, and becoming some of the most iconic and revered dining institutions along the way.
This is Chef Irani going back to his roots, where it all started. In his hometown of Ahmednagar, India, his grandfather owned Sarosh Canteen, the first and only Irani Cafe in the town. It’s only fitting that the journey that began with Chai Pani finally leads him to Botiwalla.”
Check out their sample menu and stay tuned!!