"Today is opening day for Bandoola Bowl in Georgetown, which brings the neighborhood a 2,000-square-foot venue for protein-packed salads spiked with fish sauce. The two-story venture (1069 Wisconsin Avenue NW) represents the first fast-casual business for the family behind Burmese destination Mandalay Restaurant, which debuted in Silver Spring in 2004. The opening lineup includes 10 bowls, and the shop will run limited hours (10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) to start. Shweji, a Burmese semolina cake, is the sole dessert on the menu for now. Thinly sliced or chopped vegetables and shredded cabbage act as a base for toppings and toss-ins like fried garlic and shallots, crispy yellow split peas, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds. Sour, tart, and umami flavors of fish sauce play up each bowl’s star vegetable, fruit, or protein. At Bandoola, those include broccoli, raw shredded ginger, fresh green papaya and mango, roasted pork, grilled chicken, steamed shrimp, and lightly fried tofu." - Tierney Plumb
