Malabar Replaces Rosedale in Forest Hills

Change is coming to Connecticut Avenue. In mid-January 2026, restaurateur Ashok Bajaj will debut Malabar at 4465 Connecticut Ave., NW, replacing Rosedale with a modern Indian restaurant inspired by India’s storied Malabar Coast. The Forest Hills newcomer promises bold flavors, breezy hospitality, and a neighborhood-minded vibe just steps from the Van Ness–UDC Metro.

The 100-seat dining room will reopen with refreshed décor and striking new artwork, while the 30-seat patio is set to channel tropical energy when summer returns. Dinner and Sunday brunch anchor the schedule, with a U-shaped bar designed for lingering, sipping, and socializing.

In the kitchen: James Beard Award–winning chef Vikram Sunderam, whose 20-year tenure with Knightsbridge includes Rasika, Rasika West End, and Bindaas. Here, his focus turns coastal and coconut-forward, drawing from the spice-rich southwestern region of India once central to global trade.

Menus highlight the coast with Malabar Crab Cake, Scallops Caldine, and Goan Lamb Cutlet, followed by entrées like Malabar Black Cod, Seafood Coastal Bouillabaisse, Mangalorean Chicken Curry, and Malabari Lamb Biryani. Vegetarian standouts and playful desserts — think Chocolate Bebinca and Banana Toffee Paniyaram — round out the offerings.

“Malabar is meant to be a neighborhood gathering place that transports guests,” says Bajaj, and with craft cocktails, a private dining room, and Rasika-level pedigree, Forest Hills may have just found its new favorite escape.