Sophina Uong
Just months after chef Sophina Uong’s Little Miss Mao opened within the walls of East Nashville's hippest honky-tonk, Skinny Dennis, the Cambodian-inspired restaurant has closed and is seeking a new location.
“The response has been incredible for Little Miss Mao; we are so thankful,” Uong tells the Scene. “Our following has outgrown the space. I’m currently on the hunt for a new home for the concept in Nashville, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.”
Customers had been ordering Little Miss Mao menu items, including garlic noodles made using Mr. Aaron’s Goods’ chitarra, from their phones or from the window at Skinny Dennis.
Little Miss Mao and Turkey and the Wolf are among the city’s most promising new transplants
Uong, who is the executive chef and co-owner of Mister Mao in New Orleans, came to Nashville on the invitation of Zephaniah O’Hora and Salvatore Fristensky, the owners of Skinny Dennis, who became familiar with her award-winning food in New Orleans. Uong is a James Beard 2024 Best Chef: South semifinalist.
O’Hora didn’t immediately have updates on what food purveyors might replace Little Miss Mao at Skinny Dennis. Spicy Boy’s, the East Nashville Cajun favorite, is on the upcoming schedule for what appears to be a few culinary pop-up offerings, including an end-of-crawfish-season boil this weekend, June 13 and 14.
