Georgetown’s dining scene is buzzing with new energy.
Amid the re-anchoring of neighborhood favorites and new openings near Caddy’s Alley, a truly special restaurant, Rimtang, has opened, and it’s serving amazing Thai food. The concept is “Thai street food”, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s unrefined. Rimtang is rooted in tradition, it’s fresh, unpretentious, and incredible flavors drawn from the owner’s childhood in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Joyful Atmosphere
The restaurant is run by the owner’s mother, Executive Chef Prapit “Mama” La Femina, and her joyful presence is the heart of the experience. She was out on the floor, greeting guests and getting feedback. We started with the Spicy Crispy Calamari, which had a perfect kick from Thai chili and garlic. The Crab Dumplings were also impressive, stuffed with ground Kurobuta pork and plentiful crab meat. I tried both papaya salads and personally loved the Papaya Salad Ee-Sahn—this style from the Isan region of Thailand—had that wonderfully savory, fermented-fish-sauce flavor, balanced with Thai eggplant and hog plum.
Unforgettable Main Dishes
The main dishes were a standout, especially the Ka-Praw. It’s a classic Thai dish with holy basil and Thai chili , which I had with the flavorful Kurobuta pork. We also enjoyed a classic Pad Thai with shrimp and a fantastic Panang Curry with chicken. The curry was so fresh, with rich coconut milk and bright Kaffir lime leaf notes. To drink, the Thai Iced Tea and a refreshing Thai Lemongrass Pandan Tea were perfect palate cleansers.
The Secret to the Quality
The secret to Rimtang’s quality is its ownership. Chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute also owns the renowned Kyojin Sushi, located just steps away in Caddy’s Alley in the former L2 club space. This connection means Rimtang has access to extremely high-quality purveyors and proteins, like fresh fish and Japanese pork. Both restaurants were packed on a Monday, so reservations are recommended. Kyojin maintains that exclusive, sophisticated feel—a quiet, posh spot for an elevated sushi experience where we spotted a few political politicos enjoying a private meal. This is an entrepreneur-led group that just loves high-quality food and hospitality. I recommend! “Rimtang is rooted in tradition, it’s fresh, unpretentious, and incredible.”
Rimtang. 1039 33rd St NW, Washington, DC 20007. (202) 525-1300.
