Little Serow. Big Taste.

Spice attacked, and we gladly gave right in.

There's a good reason why Little Serow's staff recommends coming on a Tuesday or Wednesday night around 9 pm to get in quickly, and why weekend night waits can be up to 4 hours.

Little Serow is a new, hidden gem (literally, you enter through an unmarked door of a basement apartment) that recently graced the Dupont neighborhood.  Well, 'graced' in the sense that its ambiance is peaceful: low lighting, turquoise blue walls, friendly, engaging waitresses in dresses, and great - GREAT - music.  But the food probably shouldn't be tagged as 'graceful' - it packs the punch of a prizefighter with Thai spice that'll knock your socks off.

Nestled below DC's #1 ranked restaurant, Komi, it's clearly a great place for a new winner to move in to the neighborhood. Serow has an ambitious menu that changes weekly, all with awesome twists on Thai staples. You start out with pork skins to "get your palatte ready," which it's going to need to be. The spice progressively rises, starting with a milder green curry shrimp dish, moving on to a chicken that really gets the kick going, and you reach the pinnacle at their "nam tok tow hu," a majorly spicy tofu dish. Luckily, you're given a big plate of sticky rice and an herb basket. They double as side dishes and a coolant for your mouth. Things start cooling off a bit with the curry topped with a sunny-side-up duck egg, and then the pork rib dish which is delectably topped with dil and Mekhong whiskey: what a great finish.

Balancing the food (or enjoying your wait time to get seated) with a great drink is no problem.  They also have a great drink list, with intentionally paired wines, Thai beers, and fun cocktails.  I got a glass of their off-dry champagne (blanking on the name!) that cooled off my tongue in a delicious way.

Part of Serow's draw is the surprise and experience it offers to patrons. The menu is prix fixe and a bit pricey, $45 a person, but don't let the "small plates" fool you.  This is the kind of place that leaves you no room to go get dessert after because you're so happily - almost painfully - full.  Except, ice cream could be helpful to your spiced-out taste buds who will most definitely need a cool-down, or at least a nap.

Check out Washingtonian's Serow love here, where they made the "100 Very Best" list.

Little Serow's hours are Tuesday-Wed 5:30-10, Thurs-Sat 5:30-10:30.  No reservations.
1511 17th Street, NW.