(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi, located within the newly enhanced Salamander Washington DC, has unveiled its new Roti Bar Experience, launching on Friday, February 14 – Valentine’s Day.

Located near the heart of the kitchen, the 90-minute communal standing experience showcases five rotational menu items. Among the first weekend’s offerings are Cornbread and Caviar featuring Spiced Shiro Butter and Ossetra Caviar, as well as Curried Goat Roti with Crispy Potatoes and Celery. Each evening’s menu is paired with two handcrafted cocktails or mocktails by acclaimed mixologist Derek Brown and Beverage Manager Will Alvarez.

These dishes represent Onwuachi’s vibrant celebration of Afro-Caribbean cuisine, drawing inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Creole. Guests can savor bold and flavorful dishes that honor the traditions and flavors of these regions, as well as those inspired by the diverse communities of D.C.

The lively atmosphere offers a captivating view of the expansive open kitchen, and diners have a front-row view to witness the team led by Onwuachi and Chef de Cuisine Martel Stone. Reservations can be booked in blocks of two making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate 

“The Roti Bar Experience embodies the spirit of community and celebration that Dōgon epresents,” said Onwuachi. “It is a communal concept designed to give guests more opportunities to experience Dōgon in a unique way, allowing people to connect with each other and our culinary team.”

Dōgon’s Roti Bar is the restaurant’s latest unique dining experience to be unveiled, drawing inspiration from the restaurant’s shared plates concept. It follows the successful launch of Sirius, an exclusive custom-designed chef’s counter with four seats and a curated tasting menu prepared personally by Onwuachi.

Bookable online through Resy Experiences, the Roti Bar Experience is available on most Fridays and Saturdays with reservations at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and costs $75 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

Pronounced “Doh-gon,” the restaurant celebrates D.C.’s four quadrants and draws from Onwuachi’s unique Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Creole background. Onwuachi, who returned to D.C. on September 9, 2024, following the tremendous success of his New York venture, Tatiana, created the concept inspired by D.C. Surveyor Benjamin Banneker and his West African Dogon tribe ancestry.

Located along the revitalized Southwest waterfront inside Salamander Washington DC, which recently completed a significant enhancement project, Dōgon was designed by the architectural firm Modellus Novus, which previously collaborated with Onwuachi at Tatiana. 

When entering the restaurant from the hotel lobby, guests are immediately transported into a distinctly dramatic atmosphere where Kriskadecor metal chain curtains welcome guests at the entrance, referencing Banneker’s Gunter’s Chains – a device he used to measure and survey. Bathed in a cool moon-lit glow enhanced by three recessed-lit ceiling domes, the restaurant’s dining room brings to the fore various hues of the night—rich blue, soft lilac, silver mist—through a range of scales and materials. Chairs and banquettes upholstered in a dark blue corduroy introduce a rich, shadow-playing texture, while dining tables topped with marble instill a planetary atmosphere through their swirls of blues and purples.

For those unable to reserve a spot at the Roti Bar, Sirius, or a traditional restaurant reservation, a table can be secured by booking a room at Salamander DC through its Experience Dōgon Package.

Dōgon Details

Website: www.DogonDC.com

Phone: 202-786-6032

E-mail: Dogon@SalamanderDC.com

Instagram: @DogonDC | @ChefKwameOnwuachi | @SalamanderHotelDC

About Salamander Collection 

Salamander Collection is privately owned and operated, and based in Middleburg, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, it has a luxury portfolio featuring the Forbes Five-Star Salamander Middleburg, an equestrian-inspired property in the Virginia countryside; Salamander Washington DC, an elegant and recently enhanced hotel located along the capital’s vibrant Southwest waterfront; Half Moon, the storied resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, featuring three distinct experiences including the acclaimed Eclipse; Aspen Meadows Resort, which features sweeping views on 40 beautiful acres in Aspen, CO’s west end and newly renovated Herbert Bayer-inspired accommodations and arrival experience; Hotel Bennett, a spectacular grand hotel in Charleston, SC, overlooking the city’s historic Marion Square; Innisbrook Resort in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, which hosts the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship each year on its famed Copperhead Course; and PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, which recently underwent a $100 million enhancement and hosts the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic each year on its renowned Champion Course. www.SalamanderHotels.com.