Celebrity Chef Santosh Tiptur – a world-renowned pastry chef known for his whimsical sweet and savory culinary creations from award-winning DC-based restaurant and sweet shop Co Co. Sala, including his over-the-top sugar and chocolate sculptures, and numerous appearances on high-profile culinary competition programs on The Food Network (i.e Kid in a Candy Store, Halloween Wars, Sugar Dome, Chefs vs City) – has announced that he will be opening his first solo restaurant venture – The Conche – a new chocolate-centric restaurant and boutique – to the public at The Village at Leesburg on Tuesday, May 2nd beginning with dinner service. Tiptur and team also have plans to announce details on launching happy hour, lunch, brunch, and interactive cooking classes in the near future.
Featuring 2,880 square feet, and seating for up to 76 – with seats for 12 at the bar, and 64 seats throughout the main dining room – The Conche is slated to serve as an interactive chocolate-themed boutique restaurant and shop inviting guests of all ages to engage all of their senses. Tiptur tapped Virginia-based architecture, design, and project management firm Arminco Inc. to handle the aesthetics of the restaurant. Colors and textures in the dining room instantly connect with The Conche’s chocolate-inspired vision boasting textured milk chocolate-colored walls and accents, cozy whipped cream-colored tufted leather banquettes, modern lighting fixtures, and vintage-inspired confection-centric metal posters.
The dining room features a state of the art 300 square foot ‘Chocolate Lab’ located in the center of the room where diners will be able to observe from all angles – through large clear glass windows and on multiple flat screen TV’s dispersed throughout the dining room – as Chef Tiptur and his talented team create an impressive assortment of handcrafted confections and chocolates from scratch and with artisan precision live. The restaurant also features a working conche machine of which Tiptur had custom made for The Conche in Switzerland of which is on display in the front of the dining room greeting guests as they arrive.
An interactive experience for all ages, The Conche will showcase an assortment of creative chocolate-infused sweet and savory dishes, desserts, and a signature beverage menu featuring decadent drinks such as Tiptur’s famous frozen hot chocolate, and a variety of chocolate-infused handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant will also offer a playful kids menu including dishes such as Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders, Garlic Butter Fries with Zesty Tomato Dip, Crispy Bacon Mac & Cheese, Aged Cheddar, Fontina & Provolone, and Grilled Cheese, Artisan French Style Country Bread, Sharp Cheddar, Broccoli White Cheddar Soup, to highlight a few.
Sweet and savory dishes from The Conche’s dinner menu include Poke Ahi Tuna, Tapioca Tater Tots with Chocolate Dates and a Tamarind Glaze, Cocoa Nib Crusted Diver Sea Scallops, Cocoa Rubbed NY Strip Steak, Spiced Lamb Flat Bread, to highlight a few. And with desserts always serving as focal point when it comes to master Chef Tiptur – guests will be able to indulge in extravagant signature desserts like the Conche Entremet – a celebration cake consisting of a sour cream dark chocolate cake, Maracaibo chocolate cream, bourbon vanilla bean ice cream, various toppings for textures, warm chocolate fritters, and a large dome of chocolate will be on top and then will be poured with hot chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce.
In addition, Chef Tiptur and team will also be announcing details on launching a variety of interactive chocolate-making classes for both kids and adults, and the restaurant is also excited to welcome those looking to celebrate a wide variety of occasions and milestones including birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate team building events, and The Conche will also be offering one-of-a-kind wine, beer, champagne, and chocolate tasting events open to the public.
The Conche will be open for dinner service 4:00PM to 9:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, and 4:00PM to 10:00PM Friday and Saturday. The Conche will also be launching happy hour, lunch, and weekend brunch in the near future. The Conche’s Chocolate Boutique will be open Monday through Sunday from 12:00PM to close. Reservations are available and recommended and private events can be booked by calling 703-779-1800 or 703-462-3325, or emailing Contact@The-Conche.com.
Village at Leesburg is located along Route 7 at the Crosstrail Boulevard/River Creek Parkway exit in Leesburg, Va. It includes a roster of more than 75 national, regional and boutique retail shops and restaurants such as Wegmans Food Market, Cobb Village 12 Cinemas, LA Fitness, Atomic Trampoline, Ulta, Orvis, Charming Charlie, Firebirds, Travinia Italian Kitchen and Woodhouse Day Spa. For more information, visit VillageAtLeesburg.com.
Rappaport provides property management, marketing services, asset management and oversees leasing for Village at Leesburg.
