Sundara Indian Restaurant

Welcome
A candlelit Sundara dining room set for a full-service Indian meal

Indian roots. Global craft.A vision for Rockville.

Traville Village Center Rockville, Maryland
01Story

A Beautiful Name.
A Generous
Table.

Sundara means “beautiful” in Sanskrit. Here, it means something more: food with memory, flavor with a sense of place, and a table that makes people feel at home.

The story began in 2022 in Arlington with catering, takeout, and delivery. Guests came back quickly. Orders became habits. Customers became regulars. A fanbase began to form.

At the heart of Sundara is Kerala: curry leaves, mustard seeds, tamarind, coconut, and generations of technique. From crisp dosas and South Indian curries, the menu opens across India through North Indian favorites, breads, biryanis, and regional dishes.

Alexandria gave that growing idea a dining room and an all-day rhythm, from breakfast through dinner, with traditional flavor and generous hospitality at the center.

Now Traville Village Center can become the next chapter: a welcoming, full-service Sundara for everyday meals, drinks, celebrations, and the simple pleasure of gathering well.

Born in Arlington. Proven in Alexandria. Envisioned for Rockville.
A colorful collection of Indian spices and aromatics
Every flavor carries a story.
Tea-covered hills and lake in Munnar, Kerala
A culinary journey rooted in Kerala.
02Meet the Chef

From Kerala
to the World.

Chef Subheesh Manikoth’s story begins in Kerala, India, where the flavors of traditional South Indian cooking shaped his earliest memories. Those formative years did more than teach him how food should taste. They ignited a lifelong desire to cook.

That passion led him to the Institute of Hotel Management, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts. His search for culinary excellence then carried him from India and the Middle East to Europe and the United States.

Along the way, he mastered Indian, French, Italian, and American cuisines and led several kitchens as head chef. Yet the food of Kerala remained his compass, connecting everything he learned back to the flavors that first inspired him.

For Subheesh, cooking never stops at the restaurant door. Even on his days off, he cooks for friends and family. Sundara is his invitation to share that joy with every table.
Executive Chef Subheesh Manikoth
Subheesh Manikoth Partner & Executive Chef

Kerala Roots

Early years immersed in the flavors and traditions of South Indian home cooking.

Classical Training

Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Hotel Management.

Global Journey

A career spanning India, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Cooking With Joy

A devotion that continues through service, days off, and meals shared with friends and family.

03Design

Modern Comfort.
Indian Soul.

Sundara pairs contemporary comfort with the color, craft, and warmth of Indian hospitality.

Three ideas shape the experience: create a comfortable but considered room, introduce Indian character through art and material rather than theme, and make the space work equally well for a quick breakfast, a business lunch, or a celebratory dinner.

Concept rendering of the Traville dining room redesigned as a full-service Sundara restaurant with a glass corner by the bar
Full-service by designCounter service gives way to upholstered seating, intimate lighting, and a layered dining experience.
Concept rendering of the existing Traville bar redesigned for Sundara
The Traville bar, reimaginedExisting architecture transformed through oak, matte black, brass, and lotus-gold branding.
Close-up of smoked oak plank flooring used throughout the Sundara dining room
Smoked Oak FloorWarm. Natural. Residential.
Rich walnut millwork with a satin finish
Dark WalnutDeep. Grounded. Welcoming.
Softly aged brushed antique brass finish
Antique BrassWarm glow. Gentle character.
Warm oxblood red accent upholstery material for Sundara bar seating
Red Accent UpholsteryWarm. Tailored. Distinctive.
Warm ivory quartz bar top material with subtle mineral texture
Ivory QuartzClean. Warm. Inviting.

Modern Elegance

Keep the room refined, comfortable, and easy to enjoy.

Cultural Detail

Express India through authentic art, pattern, and craft.

Heartfelt Warmth

Use flattering light, natural materials, and generous hospitality.

05Drinks
Golden citrus Lotus Gold cocktail

Lotus Gold

Gin · turmeric · lemon · cardamom · tonic

AlcoholicFixed favorite
Tamarind Ember cocktail with a chili-spiced rim

Tamarind Ember

Tequila · tamarind · lime · Kashmiri chili · jaggery

AlcoholicSeasonal rotation
Kerala Garden cocktail with cucumber and fresh herbs

Kerala Garden

Vodka · cucumber · curry leaf · lime · soda

AlcoholicSeasonal rotation
Masala Old Fashioned with an orange garnish

Masala Old Fashioned

Bourbon · cardamom · clove · orange bitters

AlcoholicFixed favorite
Mango Saffron Lassi finished with saffron

Mango Saffron Lassi

Mango · yogurt · saffron · cardamom

Proof-FreeFixed favorite
Rose and Lime Cooler with fresh mint

Rose & Lime Cooler

Rose · lime · mint · soda

Proof-FreeSeasonal rotation

Illustrative beverage direction. Final selections may rotate seasonally.

07Reviews
Guest response

The Reviews
Say It All.

4.8
431 Google reviews

After Sundara opened in Alexandria, positive Google reviews arrived so quickly that the account was flagged for review. Google looked into the activity, the reviews remained, and the takeaway became even stronger: the early enthusiasm was real.

Guests continue to praise Sundara for authentic North and South Indian cooking, generous portions, welcoming service, and a broad selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes.

Read the reviews on Google
Validated guest momentum

Diverse guests. One consistent signal.

★★★★★
“The food here was so good and is exactly like in India. The biryani especially is perfect.”
Prachi Tadsare Authenticity
★★★★★
“They remembered us from our first visit. Their friendly attitude and excellent service made the experience even better.”
r george Hospitality
★★★★★
“The absolute best Kerala cuisine I have had in years, and this is coming from a Malayali.”
Monisha Jairaj Kerala cuisine
★★★★★
“After speaking with the staff I felt more confident that I picked a good selection of Indian cuisine.”
Levi Wasmundt Group takeout
★★★★★
“Kerala style paratha like I had growing up, and it was spot on in flavor.”
F N Regional depth
★★★★★
“Awesome variety and the dosa is huge. Also tons of gluten free options.”
Emily Hamman Variety and access

Delicious food brings guests in. Authenticity, generosity, and warm service bring them back.

See reviews online
08Technology

Hospitality First.
Technology in Service.

Technology should make hospitality feel more personal, not more complicated.

Toast connects ordering, payments, loyalty, takeout, delivery, and restaurant reporting so the team can spend less time managing systems and more time taking care of guests.

Technology underneath.
Hospitality up front.
One connected guest journey

From discovery to the next visit.

Sundara-branded connected restaurant technology across ordering, loyalty, operations, events, and guest service
09Market
Traville Village Center entrance in Rockville, Maryland

A Proven Concept.
A High-Value Rockville Market.

Traville Village Center offers Sundara the opportunity to reimagine the former Yaar Spice restaurant at 9736 Traville Gateway Drive as its next full-service dining destination.

The three-mile trade area combines 113,069 residents and 43,216 households with strong incomes, diverse communities, and nearby medical, education, and research institutions.

01
Everyday Diners Rockville and North Potomac residents, families, and Indian-food enthusiasts seeking quality and warm hospitality.
02
All-Day Guests Hospital, university, research, and office communities seeking breakfast, lunch, takeout, or an easy dinner.
03
Celebrations & Catering Affluent households, nearby organizations, and event hosts who need customized menus and full-service support.
113,069 People within 3 miles
$166,913 Average household income within 3 miles
$201.2M Annual food-away-from-home spending within 3 miles
CoStar demographic and consumer spending reports · 2025 estimates · Three-mile radius
10Partnership

A Proven Concept.
A Compelling Next Home.

Sundara brings an established brand, a chef-led culinary identity, an all-day operating model, and a growing catering business.

Traville Village Center presents a compelling opportunity to bring that platform to the former Yaar Spice space at 9736 Traville Gateway Drive in Rockville, Maryland.

Concept rendering of the Sundara Rockville storefront with illuminated signage and patio dining
Rockville Vision A vision for a welcoming full-service arrival at Traville Village Center.
01

Activate the Restaurant Space

Build from the former restaurant infrastructure while confirming the equipment, utility, and operational scope.

02

Adapt the Sundara Experience

Translate Sundara's culinary identity and updated visual system into the Traville space and guest journey.

03

Build the Opening Path

Coordinate design, permitting, construction, staffing, marketing, and launch milestones around a potential Traville opening.