Malabar Brings Brunch to the Table

Ashok Bajaj’s modern Indian hotspot adds a Sunday spread of coastal curries, tempting sweets, and spirited sips to the Forest Hills scene.

Forget the usual eggs-and-toast routine. At Malabar, Sundays are shaping up to be a deliciously spiced affair. This modern Indian restaurant from Washington dining impresario Ashok Bajaj’s Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, is launching Sunday brunch on October 25, and this is one invitation worth accepting.

From 11:30 am to 2:15 pm, the Forest Hills favorite will dish up a weekly-changing menu inspired by India’s spice-rich Malabar Coast.

Think: Kerala Fish Fry with Kashmiri chili and black pepper, Mangalorean Chicken Curry fragrant with coconut and coriander, and Malabari Lamb Curry warmed with fennel and cinnamon. Vegetarian standouts, including Paneer Muttar and Carrot & Bean Poriyal, round out the spread, alongside rice, dal, a breadbasket for the table, and two desserts. Saffron Payasam or Gulab Jamun to finish? Sweet decisions, indeed.

The $35-per-person affair is the handiwork of James Beard Award-winning Group Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam, whose more than two decades with Knightsbridge have helped make Indian cuisine a capital dining staple. The setting is equally inviting, with 100 seats inside and a 30-seat patio for fair-weather feasting.

Of course, brunch calls for a proper pour. Sparkling wine, mimosas, and Bloody Marys are $10 apiece, or opt for unlimited servings for $25 over 90 minutes. Feeling celebratory? Upgrade the cocktails for $35 and let the leisurely lunch linger.

“Malabar is designed to be a neighborhood gathering place,” Bajaj says, with brunch offering a relaxed way to explore the flavors of India’s southwestern coast.

Conveniently located at 4465 Connecticut Avenue NW, a short walk from the Van Ness–UDC Metro station, it’s an easy rendezvous for uptown diners and downtown brunch devotees alike.