Baan Mae

Thip Khao chef Seng Luangrath has been championing Laotian food in DC for more than a decade, but her newest Shaw spot feels hipper and more ambitious while also venturing into the flavors of Burma, Thailand, and beyond. Start with tapioca-pearl dumplings stuffed with peanuts and preserved radish; luscious salmon-belly skewers; and shrimp crudo dressed with a spicy, herby fish sauce. Braised pork ribs with caramelized fish sauce and ly-chee glaze are a crowd-pleaser, but don’t miss the “FiLao-O-Fish” sliders, a McDonald’s riff with fried catfish, whipped-tofu mayo, and green-chili sauce on milk-bread buns.