In traditional Indian culture, the nine rasas are the essence of human emotions: anger (raudra), sadness (karuna), fear (bhayanaka), disgust (vibhatsya), calmness (shanti), wonder (adbhuta), joy (hasya), courage (vira), and love (shringar). Each can be represented through individual movement, dance, or color. Rasa as a fine fast casual Indian restaurant plays on the notions of color and movement. From the first entry, through a large, colorful custom door made in India and shipped specially for each location, the notions of color and movement are made apparent. Colorful strings weave through the space leading patrons from the entrance through the culinary queue. Walls rhythmically undulate as patrons move past them. Warm, muted tones backdrop the fun, energetic, lively colors, lighting, and greenery. Nine paintings, by local artist Nandita Madan, one of the owner's aunts, are the final touches fully bringing the spaces together. m | m a s o n has worked with the two owners and founders, Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman, whose first two letters of their first names also conveniently spell Rasa, on all three of their projects: Crystal City in Arlington, VA (opening soon); Mount Vernon Triangle in Washington, DC (opening soon); and the original Navy Yard in Washington, DC (pictured above).