The Crew Behind D.C.’s Burmese Bodega Will Replace Sally’s Middle Name

The flourishing scene for Southeast Asian food on H Street NE is about to get more diverse. The owners of Toli Moli, the Burmese bodega inside Union Market, are opening a new full-service restaurant focusing on the cuisine of the coastal country that borders China, Thailand, Laos, India, and Bangladesh.

Washingtonian reports that the new Burmese restaurant will take over the space occupied by Sally’s Middle Name, the highly respected place for small plates that will close at the end of the month. Toli Moli co-owners Jocelyn Law-Yone, Simone Jacobson, and Eric Wang are calling the forthcoming project Thamee, which translates to “daughter” in Burma. Law-Yone and Jacobson are a mother-daughter team.

Two dishes synonymous with Toli Moli will make the trip to Thamee: faloodas — layered desserts full of jellies, fruits, milks, and ice cream — and mohinga, a catfish and boiled egg curry made with thin noodles, banana tree stems, and lemongrass that’s commonly eaten for breakfast in Burma.

Thamee will ease into service with ticketed tasting dinners ($60) starting in mid-April before opening to the public in May. A sampling of dishes described on the website for the dinners includes mixed street food fritters and a golden bbq platter, a masala curry brimming with king prawns, chicken, pork, and beef.

H Street NE already has restaurants repping ramen and pork buns (Toki Underground), Taiwanese and Cambodian cafe food (Maketto), sushi (Sticky Rice), and vegan fusion (Pow Pow). Baltimore import the Red Boat recently brought the neighborhood loaded kimchi fries and banh mi hot dogs, too.

In addition to visiting Toli Moli, which serves a short menu of specials, people can try out Burmese food at Mandalay Restaurant and Cafe in Silver Spring. That establishment’s owners are expected to bring anticipated fast-casual counter Bandoola Bowl to Georgetown this spring.

• A Burmese Restaurant From the Toli Moli Team Is Coming to H Street [Washingtonian]
• South Asian Eatery Toli Moli Branches Out With New Grocery Store [EDC]
• H Street Standby Sally’s Middle Name Announces It Will Close This Month [EDC]
• H Street NE Gets An Asian Fusion Place With Loaded Kimchi Fries [EDC]
• The Most Anticipated Restaurants in D.C., Spring 2019 [EDC]