THIS SPREAD PHOTOS BY JONATHAN THORPE |
Chef Kwame Onwuachi is no stranger to pushing boundaries . But at his latest restaurant , he will also honor them – and the West African lineage that helped draw the borders of the nation ’ s capital – with a little help from above .
The acclaimed chef makes his highly anticipated return to the District of Columbia with a concept inspired by Washington , D . C . Surveyor Benjamin Banneker – a Black man credited with mapping the borders of the district using the location of the stars – and also exploring Banneker ’ s West African heritage to the Dogon tribe .
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi opens in Spring 2024 along the revitalized southwest waterfront at Salamander Washington DC , part of a significant hotel enhancement project . Pronounced “ Doh-gon ,” the restaurant offers vibrant cuisine served through an Afro-Caribbean lens and draws from Onwuachi ’ s unique Nigerian , Jamaican , Trinidadian and Creole background .
“ I firmly believe that a restaurant should have a story , because when it has a story , it has a soul ,” Onwuachi says . “ Researching the history of Benjamin Banneker , the Dogon tribe and the connections to our location was a humbling-yet-inspiring experience . Our menu celebrates all the cultures within D . C .’ s four quadrants . This is the story of Dōgon .”
Banneker was a self-taught mathematician , astronomer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of Washington , D . C ., including his innovative use of astronomy to help survey the soon-to-be City of Washington in 1791 . Authors have also contended that Banneker ’ s ancestry can be traced through his grandfather to the Dogon tribe from Mali , reputed for their advanced knowledge of astronomy , mathematics and engineering .
“ Through his surveying work and skills , Banneker has helped bring people together for generations ,” Onwuachi says . “ With this story and the Dogon lineage as our foundation , we saw an opportunity to create something new : a restaurant that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Africa in a contemporary D . C . setting .”
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The incredible story of Banneker , the Dogon people and its lineage of astral observers also fueled the design of Dōgon . Undertaken by Modellus Novus , which previously collaborated with Onwuachi at Tatiana in New York City , the interior showcases the night sky and transports guests into a distinctively dramatic atmosphere where chain curtains welcome guests at the entrance , referencing Banneker ’ s Gunter ’ s Chains , a device he used to measure and survey .
Dōgon ’ s opening follows Onwuachi ’ s highly acclaimed Tatiana , which in 2023 was named the city ’ s best restaurant by The New York Times and rated one of the country ’ s best new restaurants of the year by Esquire magazine . Forbes called it more than a restaurant and the “ future of fine dining .”
Onwuachi has penned multiple books , like his successful memoir , “ Notes from a Young Black Chef ,” and the bestselling cookbook “ My America : Recipes from a Young Black Chef .” He has also been a
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contestant and a judge on Bravo ’ s “ Top Chef .” In 2019 , he was acclaimed by Esquire as its Chef of the Year , recognized by Food & Wine magazine as one of its Best New Chefs and named by the James Beard Foundation as Rising Star Chef of the Year .
The Dōgon opening brings Onwuachi together again with Sheila Johnson , founder and CEO of Salamander Collection , with whom he has built a special relationship . The pair created The Family Reunion , which has quickly become the premier gathering of culinary professionals of color in the country and takes place at Johnson ’ s Five-Star Salamander Middleburg resort in Virginia .
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BANNEKER , THE DOGON TRIBE AND THEIR CONNECTIVITY , VISIT DOGONDC . COM .
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