Texacan Beef and Pork Co., web site, preparation page, 21750 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn, VA, 703-858-5565, closes at 6:30 (Metro Trip Planner -opens in new window) take out menu
Update May 15, 2006: Closed
Hi-tech, I have yet to go.
Half Moon Bar-B-Que, 8235 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-585-1290 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo (Eve Zeibart), WaPo (Eric Brace) | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
Update June 12, 2006: A commenter, tegwar, says this place closed in May, 2006. The web site (link removed) was recently changed to something unrelated to food
Recommended by Washingtonian magazine.
Ribster’s, web site, 7243 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-2751 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [lunchSpark | openlist | Citysearch]
Reasonably good ribs, and good prices too, especially at the weekend lunch specials. Weird and dark, you wonder how it stays in business, but in fact this is the real Annandale. You will feel like you have entered Kansas, or something like that.
Annette’s BBQ Heaven, 279 S. van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA
Kenny’s Pit Bar-B-Que, 3060 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-823-3330. Also open for breakfast, closed Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Citysearch]
Quite good, tasty. It’s run by Koreans though no Korean barbecue food here.
Bubba's Bar-B-Q, web site, 7810-F Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA, Merrifield Plaza, 703-560-8570, right by the Burmese place, closed Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
The pork here is quite good, the staff can be rude. Get the pork and the fries.
Rocklands, web site, 2418 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-2558, plus a branch in Alexandria at 25 S. Quaker Lane, 703-778-9663 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
If you are thinking of bringing your friend from Kansas City or Texas, don’t.
Red Hot & Blue, web site, 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, 703-276-7427, several other branches including one near GMU, usually open (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Many people hate this restaurant. Given the recent proliferation of barbecue in this area, there is no longer any reason to go. It defines generic, chain barbecue, and perhaps that is worth knowing, if only to see the contrast with the real thing.
Capital BBQ, web site, 707 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-8396 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
I know, a barbecue place with a web site is not an encouraging idea. But the food here is OK, Texas style. Get the beef brisket with the spicy sauce. Not perfect, but this is better Texas barbecue than we deserve.
Urban Bar-B-Que, web site, 2007 Chapman Avenue, Rockville, MD, 240-290-4827 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
Mostly take-out, they only have ten tables, always a good sign. They plan to expand, which I take to be a bad sign. The French fries are excellent. The sauces were not exactly to my taste. In any case this is a significant sign of progress. One of the best barbecue places around.
Kenny’s BBQ Smokehouse, 732 Maryland Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-547-4553 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [menupix | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
This is really quite good North Carolina barbecue. Very much a Mom & Pop. Get the spicy sauce, which is in any case more tangy than spicy. Good collard greens. Right now the best barbecue place in DC, without a doubt.
Willard’s Real Pit BBQ, 4300 Chantilly Shopping Center, #1a, Chantilly, VA, on Willard Rd. at the Dulles Expo Center, off Rt. 28, not too far from Dulles Airport, 703-488-9970 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch]
They have St. Louis ribs, Texas brisket, Kansas City burnt ends, North Carolina pulled pork, and Jamaican jerk chicken, among other dishes. No one of these is up to the original but at least it resembles pit barbecue. Real side dishes, too. Excellent characters come to eat at this place. Recommended.
Tutto Bene, Ballston, web site, 501 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA, 703-522-1005, just off Glebe Road, across from the Harris Teeter (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Yelp | openlist | Citysearch]
Bolivian food on weekends, certainly good but not my first choice for Bolivian (menu here). I actually prefer the Italian dishes here, it is an Italian restaurant most of the time, very tasty. Tastes like the Italian food you get in South America, which is usually excellent, perhaps because it is especially rich. The ravioli are my favorite.
Leopold’s Kafe and Konditorei, 3318 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-965-6005 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell]
Might be OK for Georgetown. The specialty is pastries, they sometimes have Tafelspitz.
Euro Bistro (web site), 314 Elden Street, at Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA, 703-481-8158 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
Austrian food, with some Thai (!) dishes. Spaetzle.
Cafe Tirolo, 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, behind Tara Thai, closed weekends, 703-528-7809 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
It used to be run by Austrians, now it has been sold to Koreans. The spaghetti has more garlic, and the place is not what it once was. A real loss.
Pauli Moto’s Asian Bistro (web site), in the reburbished part of Tysons Corner Center Mall, 7852L Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA, 703-893-9400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Yelp]
NOW CLOSED. This is by Pauli Moto, the guy with the TV show and the fancy nouvelle Asian place in Philadelphia. I suppose he showed up for the opening, or something like that. The food here is carefully made, reasonably tasty, and no doubt it is the best restaurant in Tysons Mall. The seafood is quite fresh. That said, I find the place a bore, and a somewhat expensive bore at that. Best for when there are lines everywhere else and you need to eat somewhere before the movie.
Sweet Ginger, in Danor Plaza, 120B Branch Road SE, near Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA, 703-319-3922 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Gayot]
Vienna goes Pan-Asian. Again, note that the Pan-Asian concept started off as a bold innovation, now it is usually an excuse to get a sugary and inauthentic version of the real thing. Go to Sichuan Village instead and get the pig’s maw with ginger and garlic.
Big Bowl (web site), Reston Town Center, 11915 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA, 703-787-8852, usually open (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
Half-Asian, half-American, for Reston tekkies, this place is popular and has its defenders. Not for the purist, though. Try the curries, and hope for the best.
Mantis, 1847 Columbia Road, Washington, DC, 202-667-2400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch]
Pan-Asian tapas, I have yet to go. Nor will I, until they have a non-smoking section.
Raku, 7240 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-718-8680 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | | Gayot]
More Japanese than anything else. I used to like the old incarnation, I have yet to go here.
Café Asia (web site), 1550 Wilson Boulevard, Rosslyn, Arlington, VA, 703-741-0870 (also 1720 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-659-2696) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Citysearch | Gayot]
Now the place to go in Rosslyn. Surprisingly good, and quite cheap. Tasty and spicy Asian food of all varieties, most valuable to me here are the Indonesian dishes, which are very good and hard to find elsewhere in this area. You might think that a Pan-Asian place won’t do most things well, but this place in fact does many dishes reasonably well. Looks like a big cafeteria but the setting is nonetheless somehow attractive, and this has become a place to be seen, at least by Northern Virginia standards.
Spices, 3333-A Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, near Ordway, 202-686-3833 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Pan-Asian food, owned by the Oodles Noodles people. By now this stuff is passe rather than new or interesting. If you like this place, it just means you haven’t enjoyed the real Asian food to be had around here, and you are probably one of those carless people stuck in Washington DC.
Café Mozu (web site), 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, Hotel Mandarin Oriental, “Set at the heart of the US capital between Maine and Maryland Avenues and 12th and 14th Streets, SW,” (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist]
Expensive, but the seafood is of high quality. Some of the sauces are a bit sweet. Probably the best Pan-Asian place around, but it is two huge strikes against it. 1) If I am in that hotel, and inclined to spend money, I am headed to CityZen, and 2) a bowl of DanDan noodles, at TemptAsian, for $4.95, offers more pleasure than a Pan-Asian meal at any of these places.
Nooshi, formerly Oodles Noodles, 1120 19th Street NW, just north of K Street NW, Washington, DC (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
A Pan-Asian place, which mixes cuisines, with an emphasis on noodles. Yummy if sometimes just a bit too sweet. When in doubt, order the peanut sauce.
Bare Bones, 20260 Goldenrod Lane in the Hampton Inn, Germantown, MD, 301-916-3700 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
Ribs are the specialty, I have yet to go.
Old Glory, web site, 3139 M Street NW, Georgetown, Washington, DC, 202-337-3406 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
Recommended by a reader, but I hate Georgetown.
Dixie Bones, web site, 13440 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA, south on Rt. 123, half an hour south from Fairfax, right off I-95, 703-492-2205 [Washingtonian | WaPo | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Worth the trip, right now this is the best barbecue around. I like the ribs best. The side orders are excellent, and cooked with great care. Make sure you try the sauces on your meat. Everyone recommends their baked goods as well. This is outside my purview but they appear to be quite fresh.
Bistro Asiatique (web site), 4936 Fairmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-718-3400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Gayot]
Has to be overpriced for what you get, I have yet to go.
Asia Nora (web site), 2213 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-4860 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]
Too expensive relative to the competition, and not tastier. Plus occasionally people have very bad experiences here.
Julia's Empanadas
(Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | yelp | openlist | Gayot]
Should this be listed under Argentinean? Who knows. They have Chilean, Jamaican, and Bolivian style empanadas as well, even a vegan entry, all super cheap, good snacks.
Divino Lounge, web site, 7345-B Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 240-497-0300 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist]
Meat. I have yet to go.
Mar del Plata, 1410 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, near Logan Circle, 202-234-2679 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
A useful restaurant in a dining desert, near the Whole Foods. Mostly seafood but get the pork chop. Not cheap, but your options in this area are slim.
Artie’s, web site, 3260 Old Lee Highway, near Rt.50, Fairfax, VA, 703-273-7600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist]
Surprisingly good on all fronts, get the salmon salad with goat cheese added on top. The beef ribs, not available every night, are good as well. In fact they are the best beef ribs around. But beware the lines at this place, and you can’t make a reservation in advance. One of the best places around for food sissies.
Majestic Cafe, web site, 911 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-837-9117, closed Monday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
The place has a fun Art Deco feel, circa the 1940s, plus the seafood is surprisingly good. One of your better options in Old Town Alexandria.
Clyde's, web site, Reston Town Center, 11905 Market Street, Reston, VA, 703-787-6601, plus branches near Tysons, in Georgetown, and in Chevy Chase (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
When dining with the wimpy, I go to the Tysons one (8332 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA, 703-734-1901) which is across from Borders, back behind Rt. 7 a bit and not visible from the road. The bar scene here is unattractive, but the food is pretty good, reliable, and not overpriced. Many will scorn this place, but it comes in handy.
Bailiwick Inn, web site, 4023 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-691-2266, odd hours, reservations mandatory (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Believe it or not, this place is good, albeit not cheap. Most people don't even know it is there.
Morton's
At all branches, beware the cigar smokers.
A dominant restaurant. Affordable at lunchtime, which makes a great buy. It's hard to find better beef than this. High quality on all fronts. The chopped sirloin for lunch is an amazing bargain. Dinner looks very expensive, but since the steaks feed at least two people, just order one.
Mitsitam, in the National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW, 202-633-1000, 10-5 every day, sometimes very crowded (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | The Free Lance-Star | openlist]
They have five restaurants in one, many of them try to represent various Indian dishes. Well, sort of. You can get buffalo burgers, tamales, Northwest salmon, quinoa grain salad, corn on the cob, cranberries, pumpkin, cactus salad, tacos, and smoked turkey sandwich. I’ve yet to find a single dish that fully delivers, where else can you eat on the Mall? I give at an “A” for effort, at the very least.
Halal Kabab House, 6245 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-354-1848 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
Afghan kababs, in the mall with Tempt Asian Café, across from Tower, near Landmark Plaza. And for that reason I will, sadly, never go here.
Wegmans, web site [WaPo | The Daily Ping | Manassas Journal Messenger]
The best supermarket, with a dozen restaurants inside as well. Imagine Whole Foods times five, plus your favorite brands, plus half a dozen ethnic groceries. I don’t usually list supermarkets, but this place is worth its weight in gold.
The meats are excellent, the seafood selection amazing, the spice selection first-rate, and the cooked foods can be surprisingly good. The cheese and olive bars are hard to believe. An “A” for design as well. Go, and go often, this place has revolutionized food shopping. You might find you don’t even need this guide anymore.
Note: the Sterling branch has better foodstuffs than Fairfax, though both are impressive.
Punjab Dhaba, 7263-F Arlington Blvd, Loehmann's Plaza, Falls Church, VA, 703-698-5262 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | food-plan | Falls Church News Press]
The best tandoori, great breads, and excellent lentil dumplings. The dosas (see South Indian, for a description of dosas) are no joke either. Great atmosphere also, and cheaper than average. The special Uttapam dish is great as well. The counter food is good, though mixed, sometimes too salty.
And after you are done eating, you can go see an Indian movie in the Indian movie theater in the Loehmann’s Plaza mall. Some even have English subtitles, but don’t worry if they don’t. In any case, if you come here start with the Tandoori but note that it takes fifteen minutes because it is done properly fresh.
In the 1980s and early '90s, I could still find excellent ethnic food -- particularly Vietnamese -- in Arlington and Clarendon, but more recently, I've watched well-established suburban eateries march toward the exurbs. Take Madhu Ban, the excellent Indian vegetarian restaurant that used to be in Clarendon: As the area gentrified, rents rose, and the owner, Munshi Ram, moved out. He reopened his restaurant as Punjab Dhaba in Loehmann's Plaza in Falls Church, closer to the Dulles corridor and the high-tech boom that helped double the Indian population in the Washington region from fewer than 40,000 in 1990 to some 78,000 in 2000. A dhaba is typically a roadside cafe, and this one is right next to the Bollywood movie theater. I can tell when the Indian movies start and end by watching the flow of crowds at the restaurant.
"Ethnic Goes Exurban: Washington's Sprawl, As Told Through Its Migrating Restaurants," by Tyler Cowen, The Washington Post, September 3, 2006
Lebanese Butcher and Restaurant, 109 East Annandale Rd. at Annandale and Rt.29, Falls Church, VA, 703-241-2012, usually open (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Falls Church News-Press | City Paper]
Superb mom and pop Lebanese place, maybe the best Lebanese place up and running right now. Everything here tastes like real food, unlike so much of what you eat in this country. Perhaps the Lamb Ouzi is best.
Mandalay Restaurant, web site, 930 Bonifant Street, near Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-585-0500 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Citysearch | Gayot]
The best Burmese place around. Order many dishes and follow their lead. A superb restaurant. I’ve only been once, but I do not hesitate to put the place on my favorites list.
Thanh Son Tofu, 6793/A Wilson Blvd., Eden Center, Falls Church, VA, 703-534-1202 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [eGullet]
They serve one main dish, tofu. That’s right, just slabs of tofu, done three main ways. Five for a dollar. The best tofu around, period. Tofu to die for. Tofu. Wonderful tofu. The Vietnamese love this place. By the way, you’d better be in the mood for tofu.
Arax Cafe, also known as Arax Coffee, Arax Coffee House and Ice Cream Parlor, Washington Blvd., in Westover, Arlington, VA, across from the Hardware store. 5852 N Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-532-3320 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo]
Dining God Papan Devnani recommends this one. Most of the Armenian dishes are specials of the day.
Ruan Thai, 11407 Amherst Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-0075, not so far from Rt.29 and University Blvd. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
My Thai restaurant of choice, after Duangrat’s. Not just the usual stuff. Fresh ingredients, and truly spicy. When it comes to ordering, you can’t go wrong. This place is exactly what a Thai restaurant should aspire to be.
Chez YonYon, 834 Chillum Road, Hyattsville, MD, 301-853-0404 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [EchodHaiti | City Paper | Citysearch]
Haitian food, the fried pork is my favorite, the fish is good too. You can’t go wrong at Haitian restaurants, as long as you steer clear of the macaroni and cheese. But the real question is not what you want, but rather what they have in that day. This is not better than average Haitian food, but it doesn’t have to be. The rice and beans are always superb, mix in the spicy sauces.
Le Matin de Paris, 7236 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-914-0088 (by the Pollo place and across from Jerry’s) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch | WaPo (scroll down)]
Also at 4217 Annandale Center Drive, Annandale, VA, 703-914-0088
A Korean bakery, and with many desserts. Must be tasted to be believed. Incredible. Go. Will appeal to the Western palate. The quality here is simply remarkably high. I usually don’t list bakeries but this place is extraordinary. Go, go, go.
Il Mee Buffet, 7031-4A Duke St., Annandale, VA, just west of George Mason branch of Fairfax County library, 703-642-2100 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Expulsion! | City Paper | Don Rockwell] See also 14015 Lee Jackson Highway, Chantilly, VA, 703-631-3400
An excellent Korean restaurant with an amazing degree of choice. Huge, note that all they have is a very large buffet, reasonably priced. Everything is great and surprisingly fresh. Don’t worry if you hate buffets, as I do, drop your reluctance and go. Everything here is fresh and outstanding. Get the cold soups. The kimchees. Make sure you dip your grilled meats in the sauces.
Pike Pizza, 4111 Columbia Pike, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA, 703-521-3010 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Citysearch]
First-rate Bolivian. They do not, however, have pizza, despite the name. The best Bolivian sausage around, too. Amazing atmosphere.
A Taste of Morocco, 3211 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-527-7468 Opens for dinner at 5 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Primarily à la carte, very tasty, authentic, and very reasonably priced. The crust on the Bistillah (a pie of chicken, almonds, raisins, cinnamon and sugar) is properly thin. At a Moroccan place always get the Bistillah. Everything is good, but it is the Bistillah, and the Bistillah alone, that elevate this place to my favorites list. In case you don’t know, imagine a yummy pie full of chicken, topped with cinnamon and sugar and totally sinful. It isn’t even a dessert. UPDATE: They are now open for lunch again.
Faryab Afghan Cuisine, 4917 Cordell Avenue, between Norfolk and Old Georgetown, Bethesda, MD, 301-951-3484 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
I’ve yet to go but I bet it is good, Afghan food is close to a sure thing.
Kabul Kabob House, 514A South Van Dorn Street, West Alexandria, VA, 703-751-1833 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | openlist | Citysearch]
Excellent Afghan food. The kabobs are very good but I like the stews and mixed dishes best. Fresh salads and good use of vegetables. The best Afghan place, apart from Panjshir, for vegetables. They don’t always have pumpkin, though, which is the best Afghan dish. Worth trying in any case.
Panjshir, 924 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA, 703-536-4566, closed Sunday lunch (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
Panjshir II, 224 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA, 703-281-4183, closed Sunday lunch (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
The premier gourmet Afghan place. The two branches are indistinguishable, as the food is cooked in the same kitchen. The kebabs are good but boring, get the stews, but especially the side dishes. The Kadu, the pumpkin, is a must. One side order serving is usually not enough for two people, so get two. This place offers many wonders. I love the apple, prunes, and walnut combinations.
Saturday lunch is an excellent deal. For dinner for two, order all of the side dishes, plus the Mantu. The service is a bit slow, I think they do it on purpose, though for no good reason.
El Patio, web site, 12303 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-231-9225 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Gayot]
Washingtonian magazine praises this place to the skies, but not a word in its favor is convincing. How can do really do this cuisine without first-rate beef, which no U.S. restaurant short of Morton’s is going to have?
Charcoal Kabob, 394 Elden Street, Herndon, VA (in the Super K-Mart Center, also listed as 472 Elden Street), 703-435-2400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Above average kabob place, with some Afghan dishes too. Recommended. This mall in Herndon, and the accompanying strip, is one of the best locales around for ethnic food.
Food Corner, web site, 7031-A Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA (Rte. 236), 703-750-2185 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | City Paper | Citysearch]
Very mom and pop. Relatively authentic Afghan food, including vegetable dishes, kabobs also. Excellent bread. Greasy but good. Unfortunately, they took their best dishes, Aushak and Mantu, off the menu.
Food Corner II, web site, 7031 Brookfield Plaza, Springfield, VA (just off Backlick Road and south of Old Keene Mill Road) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch]
Afghan, perhaps a branch of Food Corner (see above), but they also have kept the rotisserie chicken from the Latin place that used to be here. I have yet to go.
Afghan Restaurant, 2700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Alexandria, VA, 703-548-0022 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist]
Smaller menu, less fine, grittier, and more authentic. A bit out of the way for me, but worth having in the repertoire.
See also Paradise Restaurant of Bethesda, under Persian.
Viet Bistro, in Eden Center, Arlington, off Wilson Boulevard, near Rt. 7 (approximately 6801 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA), 703-538-7575, in the corner of the mall closest to Wilson Blvd. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper]
Right now this is the best place in the Eden Center and indeed the best Vietnamese place around. Finer and fresher than Four Sisters. Get the baby clams, the caramel fish, the frogs’ legs, the eel, anything with lemon grass, and the shaking beef. Consistently tasty and refined. Good for vegans and vegetarians also, first-rate tofu. Don’t miss it.
The Best
Photos from a loyal reader:
Pho 75, 3103 Graham Road, Suite B, Falls Church, VA, 703-204-1490, go early to avoid the line (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Other locations:
Do not fear tripe and the other nasty bits. Learn to eat for crunch and texture.
Oyamel, web site, 2250 Crystal Drive, Crystal City, Arlington, VA, 703-413-2288, closed Monday, plus they don’t always take reservations (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
Update: The Crystal City location has closed, and the place is moving downtown, to where Andale used to be, near the Verizon Center, on 401 7th St., new phone is (202) 628-1005.
The best Mexican we have, without a doubt. Don’t compare this to your favorite TexMex in Houston but rather to a fancy nouveau place in Mexico City (which is where the chef hails from). The décor is beautiful, and reminiscent of the Camino Real Hotel in Polanco. The word on the new locale is that the place is much smaller but has maintained its standards. I've yet to go back there, but am looking forward to it..
Just about everything is remarkably authentic, they even fight the regulators to get Mexican cheeses across the border, albeit pasteurized ones.
You should get: the seared scallops, cochinita pibil tacos (barbecued, slowly simmered pork), Chile Poblano Relleno, black rice with cuitlacoche (corn fungus, that word is Nahuatl for “shit of the gods,” which is apt). I was very impressed by this place. It is by the folks who brought you Jaleo and Zaytinya and Café Atlantico, but of these Oyamel takes the greatest care to give you the real thing.
Jaleo
Near the MCI/Verizon Center, and trendy. Spanish tapas, some of which are quite innovative. Not every dish here is a total winner, but still a worthy part of the repertoire, especially if you know how to order. Many claim this is not up to previous glories, and maybe they are right, but still it can be enjoyed.
CityZen, web site, 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (directions), 202-787-6868, dinner only, and not every day, closed Monday and Tuesday I believe (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Mobil | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
Don’t forget, all food is ethnic food. For the first time since Jean-Louis (and I mean the mid- to late-1980s, not the later version of the place), Washington has a first-rate place for fine dining. Right now this is one of the ten best restaurants in North America. Yes, dinner costs more than $100 a pop, but now is your chance to go. Go, and go often, before it declines. The fixed-price menu changes every month, make sure you get the full treatment.
Udupi Palace, web site, 1329 University Boulevard East, Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-1531 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
A great place. Southern Indian food in profusion. Goes well beyond the usual dosa places. The food is an entire level better, and the selection is far more extensive. A real treat. I especially recommend any kind of dosa, the Pesarat, the vegetable dishes, and the yogurt rice. By the way, the Latino music shop next door has some good stuff that is not available in your local Tower.
Horace & Dickies Seafood Carryout, 809 12th Sreet NE, Washington, DC, 202-397-6040 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | The Hilltop | openlist] There is another branch on Martin Luther King Ave., somewhere.
The best fried fish in the area, a must. Amazing atmosphere, take-out only, bad neighborhood, get the picture? Fish, fish, fish. That’s all they have. And it is fried, fried, fried. You may not go often, due to the associated inconveniences, but a gem. They also have great fries, collard greens, potato salad. Crab cake surprisingly decent. Go, go, go.
Shamshiry, web site, 8607 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, VA, 703-448-8883. Off of Route 7, near the Dulles access road. Not visible from any road. Turn left at the right place, and head towards the back. Near Oriental Regency, down a bit from United Airlines. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
An excellent Persian place. Kabobs only, which I usually find dry and unexciting, but this place is a winner. Best rice in the area, very fragrant. The Barberry Rice and Cherry Rice, with chicken or beef respectively, are highly worthwhile. The Barberry Rice is wonderfully tangy and sour and the berries are luscious. What kind of rice you order is the real decision here, not what kind of meat. Ask for the beef medium rare, or even rare, if you order meat. The salmon is my favorite, with Zereshk Polo, make sure you rub Maast Moosir (a kind of thick yogurt sauce) into the whole thing, liberally. Excellent people-watching also, if you are interested in the Persian upper-middle class.
El Tapatio, 4309 Kenilworth Avenue, Bladensburg, MD, 301-403-8882, open 10 to 10 every day, don’t you love those hours? (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
This is a real Mexican place, treasure the thought. In LA or Houston this restaurant would be only average, but that is still great in absolute terms. Get the goat (“birria del chivo”). The best chile relleno around. Very good tacos. A lifesaver, the first Mexican place I can recommend, despite its inconvenient location. It’s right where the old “Cielito Lindo” used to be.
Indique, web site, 3512 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC (at Cleveland Park Metro) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Nouvelle Indian, with nice dining quarters, but ultimately more Indian than nouvelle. Everything is excellent, but get as many appetizers as possible, ten or twelve I would say. Note: I have heard reports of decline since the new outlet Indique Heights opened.
The Best
Madjet, 1102 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-265-4779 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist]
An up-and-coming Ethiopian place on U Street. I like #9, the beef special, one of the best Ethiopian dishes in DC and not found in most other places. The Titanic Tibs is good too. The word “Shiro” also will do good things for you. High quality, although (because?) the menu is more limited than in most places.
Zengo DC, web site, 781 7th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-2929 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Richard Sandoval and Placido Domingo own this place. Modern Mexican mixed in with Pan-Asian, one of the best places in town. The look is very stylish, and reminds the visitor of Manhattan or Mexico City. A hip crowd. The hamachi is superb, also get the empanadas; don’t say “I don’t like empanadas, they are dull, crusty things.” Swallow each arepa in a single bite. Not cheap, but for what you get it is reasonably priced.
Minerva, web site, 10364 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-383-9200 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch]
Other locations:
The best. Amazing buffet for lunchtime, weekend lunch is when you should go. Real Indian food, north and south. Truly spicy. The best are the dishes that look weird or unusual. Use the chutneys. Use the curd rice. Experiment. One of the best places on this list if you know how to choose from the buffet properly. Buffet spicier, and more interesting, on the weekends. (Non-buffet) dinner is also excellent, though sometimes a bit slow. Opt for their unusual dosas and south Indian specialties. Great for people-watching, especially at lunch.
You’ll notice they have some Chinese dishes, which mimic how Chinese food is served in India. The peppered chicken is best. Indians love these, they are evidence of how authentic the restaurant is, not the contrary.
Seven Seas, web site, 1776 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD, 301-770-5020 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
One of the very best Chinese for seafood. You must ask for the Chinese menu, otherwise don't go. Get the Crispy Fish Hunan Style.
Bob's Noodle 66, 305 N. Washington St., Rockville, MD, 301-315-6668, usually open, cash only. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Gayot | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Superb Chinese food, nor is it replicated by the other best Chinese places around. More Taiwanese than most local Chinese restaurants. The thick noodles are amazing. I loved the fish and the ginger casseroles. Get the oyster pancake as a starter. The last fish dish, lightly fried fish in a sweet and sour sauce, is a knock-out. Not to mention the tempura soft shell crab. Right now this is the best Chinese place around. I wouldn’t pretend that I have discovered the best dishes here yet, but you can’t go wrong, even if you don’t usually like duck blood.
Also see Bob's 88 Shabu Shabu
Update January 2007: This restaurant is now in slight decline.
The Best
Technorati Tags: restaurant reviews, Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide, Tyler Cowen Ethnic Dining Guide, washington, dc, washington-dc
Hong Kong Palace (formerly Saigon Palace), web site, 6387 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, VA, 703-532-0940, open 11 am - 11 pm every day (online maps do not accurately show the location. The actual address is 6387 Leesburg Pike, but using 6222 more accurately shows the approximate location) On the southeast end of the mall between Leesburg Pike and Rt. 50, about 2/3rds of a mile due south of Eden Center, facing Sears, that includes Michaels and Shoppers Food Warehouse on the Leesburg Pike side, and Fortune, Home Depot and Barnes & Noble on the Rt. 50 side) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Suburban Tasteland | City Paper]
August 8, 2007: See the updated profile here.
This was once the premier Cantonese place around, but now it has been Sichuan for a while, you ma still need to ask for the special menu. One of my very favorite places. The beef with cumin is excellent, the lamb with cumin, the Dan Dan noodles, the Zhong's spicy dumplings, and maybe the beef with bamboo shoots is my favorite dish. The spicy fish in hot pot is great (not the exact name of the dish but that's what it is) and the specials are very reliable. Recommended, and let me know what you think. If you don't order from the special menu, don't even bother going. Right now the clientele is 100 pct. Chinese, a good sign. Note that they don't have a listed phone number.
Joe’s Noodle House, web site, 1488-C Rockville Pike, near Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD, 301-881-5518 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Economist | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch]
Superb Szechuan food. Many little items. You order and they bring it to your crowded table. As close to real Chinese food as you are going to get around here. A very exciting place to visit, highly recommended. Plus the best dumplings around.
A&J Restaurant
Manchurian food and dim sum, one of the best places around. Tasty, original, and very cheap. I love the soups and dumplings. The boiled peanuts and shredded bean curd are other favorites. The smoked chicken has been especially good lately. But you can’t go wrong here, just make sure you get lots of things, and with the median item price below three dollars, this is not hard to do.
China Canteen, 808 Hungerford Drive, Suite E, Rockville, MD, 301-424-1616 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | DC Examiner | Gayot]
A real Szechuan place, dating back several years. Why didn’t more of you write me about it? Get some of the cold dishes. The Dan-Dan noodles are excellent. Otherwise, get dishes that are not otherwise available in non-Szechuan restaurants. Not as good as the best of Tempt Asian or China Star, but worth going to. Perhaps the most extensive Szechuan menu around.
Sichuan Village, web site, 14005 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Rt. 50, just east of Rt. 28), Chantilly, VA, 703-631-5888, same strip mall as Il Mee. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Don Rockwell | Citysearch]
This place is from the titans that brought you the old Formosa Café in Crystal City. The new place is much more Szechuan, although they have added many heinous dishes and a heinous buffet for some of their heinous customers. Ignore those downsides. The real Chinese food here is superb. Get the Ants on a Stick, Tofu and Fish Fillet in Very Hot Sauce, Cold Pig’s Maw with Ginger and Garlic, Chengdu Kung Pao Chicken, Braised Beef with Brown Sauce, Tea Smoked Duck, Steamed Pork Bun Han Style, and Dumplings Zhong’s Style. And that is just a start.
Full Kee in DC's Chinatown, 509 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-371-2233 [Washingtonian | WaPo | NYT | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
The snow pea pod leaves here, or whatever they are called, are great. As are the dumplings in the soup. Some mediocre dishes, but if you order well this place is a knock-out. Mostly Cantonese. Written up by The New York Times as one of the most interesting places in DC.
Full Kee in VA, just off Leesburg Pike and Columbia Pike, across route 7 from Borders Books in Baileys Crossroads Center (in the same shopping center as Trader Joe's at 5847 Leesburg Pike) 5830 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA, 703-575-8232 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
So far better than the original in DC, it is excellent Chinese food. Be adventurous when you order. Excellent lobster, dumplings, tofu dishes. Critics laud the casseroles, and while they have their merits, they don’t give me much visceral enjoyment along the yummy dimension. For casseroles, go to Hong Kong Palace.
China Bistro/Mama’s Dumplings, 755 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-294-0808 [Washingtonian | DC Examiner | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Order items 38 to 45, the dumplings. Dumplings. These are the best dumplings around, by an order of magnitude (and yes, I do know about Joe’s Noodle House). The other stuff here is only so-so.
China Star, web site, 9600 Main Street (Route 236), Fairfax, VA, 703-323-8822 (in the same shopping center as Kinko’s and Cinema Arts Theatre) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch]
Great Szechuan if you know how to order properly. Get the spicy dishes and the specialties of the house. The Szechuan chili chicken has to be seen to be believed; get it on the bone. Get the sea bass with pine nuts and the crystal shrimp. The dried fried green beans. The Szechuan preserved fish. The Szechuan scallion fried fish, which goes well with the chicken with leeks. Don’t forget the salt and pepper eggplant. Get the dishes you have never heard of. Watch what everyone else is eating. The daily specials usually are excellent. The ordinary “Chinese” dishes here are quite unexceptional, avoid them. This can blow the roof off your mouth, they have four categories: normal, spicy, very spicy, and numbing. That should be all you need to know. For a fresh look at Chinese food, visit this place. I go back, and back, and back.
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Hunan Number One, 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-528-1177, in Clarendon, open to 1:30 a.m. every night [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
A fraction of this place is authentic Cantonese, the other part is trying to appeal to boring American diners. Sooner or later the place will have to choose. The salt baked chicken is excellent and you won’t otherwise find that dish around. A reader recommends the clams in black bean sauce, beware the dim sum.
China Garden, Rosslyn, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-525-5317 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | Gayot]
Supposed to be very good Cantonese food, popular with Chinese. Packed for dim sum on weekends.
Oriental East, 1290 East-West Highway, at Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 301-608-0030 (another address listed is 1312 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
The best orange beef around. Overall a very good, above average Chinese restaurant. There are so many good Chinese places around now, you might be tempted not to try this one, but it is worth a visit.
Charlie Chiang’s, 660 South Pickett Street, off van Dorn, not so far from the Metro, West Alexandria, VA, 703-751-8888 [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
They have rabbit on the menu, and a number of other interesting-looking Szechuan dishes. Don’t get stuck with the American menu.
(other locations: 1912 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-6000 [WaPo | openlist] ... 4250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-966-1916 [WaPo | City Paper] ... 4060 South 28th Street (Shirlington), Arlington, VA, 703-671-4900 [WaPo])
Far East Restaurant, 5505 Nicholson Lane, Rockville, MD, 301-881-5552 [food-plan | Citysearch]
Quite good overall but the Kung Pao Chicken is the dish to get here, much more of a plum sauce dish than other kung paos.
Peking Village, 2962 Gallows Road, between 50 and 29, Falls Church, VA, 703-698-9220 [City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
Two restaurants in one, a grisly fried Chinese buffet and a real Szechuan menu with absolutely no concessions to Western taste. The latter is worth trying. Not up to Joe’s Noodle House or China Star, but a truly authentic restaurant where you don’t expect to find such a place. They don’t hold back on the bodily organs and slime, etc., but you can get other things too. But keep in mind: the Chinese often eat for texture, not taste.
Tony Cheng’s Seafood Restaurant, 619 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-371-8669, Chinatown, usually open [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
This place used to have some good dishes but now it is in decline. If you must try the oyster casserole and the scallops in wine sauce, plus other house specials.
Hollywood East Cafe, 2312 Price Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-8282 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Citysearch | Gayot]
Everything here has real flavor, it is a real pleasure to eat their food. Doesn’t hit the peaks of the very best places, but stands far above the typical Chinese restaurant. Go for the daily specials. And the whole fish is never a mistake in a good Chinese restaurant, don’t worry about its high price, you are likely to die with a positive bequest in any case.
(also at 2621 University Blvd., near Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 240-290-9988 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | Gayot])
Vinh Kee, 3103-D Graham Road, at Rt. 50, Falls Church, VA, 703-645-0118 [Washingtonian | City Paper | Citysearch]
Half of the way toward Vietnamese, actually. A good Asian seafood restaurant, though it does not rival my favorites, such as Seven Seas, in my affections. But it will be closer for many, and good enough to enjoy. Get the whole fish.
Chinatown Express, 746 Sixth Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-0424 [Washingtonian | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist]
Maybe the best place in Chinatown right now. Make sure you order the noodles. Good soft-shelled crab. Excellent dumplings. Not as good as Joe’s Noodle House, but if you are stuck in DC you will enjoy this place. Small, and draws a crowd, so go early.
Yuan Fu Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant, 798 Rockville Pike, near Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD, 301-762-5937 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
There are many excellent Chinese places in Wheaton and Rockville, but I don’t know most of them. Let’s not forget the Chinese vegetarian places on Rockville Pike, like Yuan Fa.
Taipei Tokyo Cafe, 1596 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-881-8533. I’ve lost track of all their branches, which seem ridiculously close together. [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot] ... also at 11510 Rockville Pike # A, Rockville, MD, 301-881-8388 and 14921 Shady Grove Rd., Unit D (Rte. 270), Rockville, MD, 301-738-8813
Noodles and soups abound. You order, and they bring the food to your table. Not haute cuisine, but very tasty. The accompanying Japanese place, under separate ownership, is also worthwhile. Both are cheap, and both are recommended. That being said, they are not keeping up with the upgrading of all the new competition.
Lei Garden, web site, 629-630 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-216-9696 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
NOW CLOSED. Formerly a favorite of Washingtonian magazine. Good enough to be good, but no better than that. Dominated by various alternatives, Mark’s Duck House has better dim sum, for one.
Eat First, 609 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-289-1703, usually open [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
One of Chinatown’s best, but you need to know what you are doing when ordering. Certainly above average, good enough to really enjoy, but for me not up to suburban Chinese.
Jasmine Garden, 8106 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, 703-208-9989, actually on Gallows Rd. next to the 24-hour Safeway at Rt. 50. [Washingtonian | City Paper]
I know what you’re thinking: “I’ve discovered so many wonderful new Chinese places in the last few years I don’t need another one.” Well, you are wrong. This place looks too yuppy and draws a business crowd for lunch. But many of the dishes on their Chinese menu -- which you must ask for separately -- are petty good. Get the chicken with three peppers, and then experiment on the Chinese menu. Their non-special dishes are often above average, too. The menu has some Thai and Japanese items as well. Plus they have a piano, with occasional performances of, get this, operatic arias.
Lo's, 3075 Nutley Street, Fairfax, VA, Pan Am Shopping Center, Fairfax, but very close to Vienna Metro, 703-280-2897 [Citysearch]
Suburban Chinese through and through, and will not satisfy those looking for the real thing. But one of the best of its kind in the area. Will consistently satisfy. The Bird's Nest is especially good, as is the Lamb of Two Flavors. It's hard to go wrong here, as long as you don’t expect real Chinese food.
Miu Kee, Rt. 50, just east of Annnandale Road, 6653 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, 703-237-8884 [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch]
Real Chinese food, for Chinese. Family atmosphere, homey, comfortable. I like the soy chicken on rice, and the pork on chowfoon, very soggy but yummy. Not everything here is great, but none of it is bad, and the wise orderer can make a great meal. Cheaper than most, too.
Lucky Three, 5900 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 703-998-8888 (formerly Fortune, then Maxim, now renamed but has it ever changed?) [Washingtonian | City Paper | Citysearch]
Above average, but it is too close to my other favorites to get major air time. A big dim sum place.
Fortune, web site
The most varied selection of Dim Sum in Northern Virginia, in terms of variety, but not actually my favorite. Not fully consistent and now overpriced. And the new quarters are simply too huge, more suitable for a Chinese wedding, which is in fact what they are used for. By no means a bad restaurant, but I go to Mark’s Duck House for dim sum.
Peking Gourmet Inn, web site, 6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 703-671-8088 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
An old hang-out for conservative Republicans, like George Bush Sr. and Norman Schwarzkopf. Excellent Peking duck, no advance notice required. The other dishes vary greatly, but if they use lots of garlic, or garlic sprouts, they are probably excellent. I love the Peking Chicken Wings and the leek dumplings. It often pays to go for the fatty and disgusting here, rather than the light and appetizing. Just keep in mind that many dishes here are mediocre. This is an old-style Chinese restaurant, in the sense that the help is surly and rude. But the food does come in time, which is the important thing.
Kam Po, 5884 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 703-578-4017 [City Paper]
They have Chinese dishes and Peruvian dishes, with mutual influence running both ways. Visitors to Lima will be familiar with the concept, the place is run by Chinese Peruvians. An interesting novelty, and reasonably good, but it doesn’t beat trying either cuisine pure up.
Mark's Duck House, 6184-A Arlington Blvd., Wilson Center 1, Falls Church, VA, 703-532-2125. Hard to see from the road, on Rt. 50 just east of Rt.7, north side of the street, look for the CVS. Usually opened. web site, [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]
A real Cantonese restaurant, replete with hanging ducks in the window and everything. Get the crispy pork, and also some variant of the noodles. I love the tofu as well. I am less enamored of the duck and chicken, but this is an excellent restaurant, and very authentic, in the hands of a wise orderer. It's also very cheap, so take advantage of the prices to order many items. Great dim sum too.
Tempt Asian Café, 6259 Little River Turnpike (just west of where 395 hits 236), Alexandria, VA, 703-750-6801 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Update June 2006: The prize-winning chef who used to be here-- Peter Chang -- is now nowhere to be seen. Some of the dishes here are less complex, but this remains a Sichuan restaurant and still better than the average Chinese place. Future decline may be in order, we will see.
Get the Dan Dan Noodles (it gets better as you dig in), the Scallion Chow Foon, the Dried, Minced Beef in Hot Pot, and the appetizer with fish and cilantro. After that go with the specials. Ignore the American menu. The parking lot, while it always has spots, is an exercise in frustration.
The Oriental Regency, 8605 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, VA, 703-827-9066, usually open, directly across from Shamshiry (see Persian), behind the American Cafe on Rt.7 [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Gayot]
Update April 22, 2008: Phone disconnected, commenter says it is closed.
The chef has come and gone many times, so now you take your chances. But I have heard it is in an upswing again. They do have genuine Chinese items on the menu, like jellyfish. Reasonable prices as well, although the decor and staff are a bit cold.