Little Serow

In 2012, Johnny Monis, the young chef behind renowned D.C hotspot Komi, finally opened his much-anticipated following act, Little Serow (rhymes with “narrow”). The minimalist twenty-eight-seat Thai restaurant, in Dupont Circle, doesn’t take reservations, doesn’t allow substitutions, doesn’t have a phone and doesn’t even have a sign in front, but the lengthy line out the door gives away its location. (Join the queue starting at 5:30 P.M.) The family-style, prix fixe menu changes weekly (and is updated online every Tuesday), usually listing around seven plates for $45 per person. Dishes such as “yaam makhua yao” are explained by simplistic descriptions like “eggplant/cured egg/pickled garlic”, proving that eating here is more of an experience than a meal; every course is accompanied by a story or instruction from your server.