Tapori

A hand-painted mural of characters from the 1995 Bollywood film *Rangeela* covers one wall, immediately grounding the space in its "Tapori" concept – a nod to the rowdy, energetic street culture of 1990s Mumbai. The whole room is filled with bold, acidic colors like yellows and greens, from the retro diner-style booths to the patchwork of vintage tiles covering the bar top. An open kitchen adds to the bustling feel, and a long, 20-person communal table runs through the center of the dining area, though it’s arranged so you don’t feel crowded. The menu follows this same playful spirit, built around small plates of Indian and Nepalese street food meant for sharing. This isn't a standard curry house. Instead, the kitchen sends out modern takes on regional classics from across South Asia. You’ll find dishes like Lotus Root Chaat with tamarind and sweet yogurt, spiced potato Vada Pav sliders, and Podi Masala Dosa, the fermented rice and lentil crepe from South India. Chef Suresh Sundas also brings in flavors from his native Nepal, with dishes like buckwheat Wagyu Momo. A dedicated tandoor section turns out kebabs like an Achari Macchi made with halibut, and the bread selection includes a Roast Duck Kulcha with sour cherry and trout caviar. Cocktails are tropical and "Indian-ish," using ingredients like jackfruit, chaat masala, and Kashmiri chili. The frozen Jackfruit Jungle Bird is a house favorite, alongside the namesake Tapori, a version of a Boulevardier made with tamarind-infused Indian single-malt whiskey. Ordering is a process of picking several dishes for the table, and the room gets progressively more lively as the evening goes on, sometimes taking on an uptempo, clubby vibe.