“Dante Datta and Chef Suresh Sundas”
From an email:
“Industry Veterans and community connectors Dante Datta and Chef Suresh Sundas (of MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand 2022 and 2023, Food & Wine 2024 Global Tastemaker, & New York Times ‘22 Best New Restaurant, Daru) are thrilled to announce their newest offering to the city of Washington, D.C., Tapori, which will celebrate Indian Street Food with the power to bridge communities through culinary prowess with regional dishes and cocktails from their native homeland.
Located in The District’’s historic H St corridor, Tapori, (600 H Street NE, Suite E. Ed. Note: previously home to Fancy Radish) was stimulated by the Hindi word which translates to “vagabond” or “rowdy,” and also describes the vibrant street culture in India- a genre that has been featured in Bollywood films such as Rangeela. Opening in late fall 2024,
with opening hours Tuesday-Saturday (open five days a week initially, 5-11pm, then seven days thereafter); the restaurant is inspired by the street foods of SE Asia- with a heavy influence of SE Indian Asian cuisine, ingredients and techniques.
Taking inspiration from regions in India- the South: Kerala (coconut, spicy, seafood) Mughal-influenced Hydrabad, Center-west like Mumbai, and Eastern regions like Sundas’ native Nepal(influenced by both India and China). Guests can expect dishes like innovative street food such as Pani Puri, Vada Pav and Dosas, as well as recipes inspired from Chef Suresh’s single mom where he grew up in the impoverished rural village of the Pathari village of the Morang district in Nepal. Cocktails include an “Indianish” take on the classic Pornstar Martini, and ingredients that include indigenous spices and fruits like chaat masala, jackfruit puree, kashmiri chili and hibiscus.
Designed by Edit at Streetsense, the space will invoke a sense of playfulness with a “make it work” attitude in an immersive environment. The location will include painted bold graphics, pre-manufactured booths with a communal table that will share convivial vibes, with a bar that invites guests to a party with a little bit of controlled chaos, and thematically “patchy” visuals that are nostalgic and theatrical. An open kitchen will offer expansive light, along with acidic colors of yellows, greens, oranges. Guests will not be able to swing a dosa without hitting some of local muralist Patrick Owens artwork.”