DC is home to a lot of Chinese restaurants, with plenty of treasures to be found on their menus. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's many food luminaries to share with us their recommendations for Takeout Treasures.
Taylor Gourmet owner Casey Patten visits his two favorite Chinese restaurants in the area — Sichuan Pavilion and China Bistro — a few times a month:
"Sichuan Pavilion. I order the Chicken with Hot Dry Peppers from the Authentic Entree Section. Dark meat chicken, dusted, flash fried then put in a wok with Chinese Chili and Szechwan Peppercorns. The Szechwan Peppercorns leave the best tingling burn.
"China Bistro I am almost hesitant to give out because I want to keep it as my secret. Off Rockville Pike, the best dumplings I have had in the area. Usually get the Mama Special (pork, shrimp, chives) and Beef and Celery. Best part is that Mama is actually in the back rolling the dumplings. Use the excuse to go to the bathroom to walk through the kitchen to see her in action. ... The dumplings are insane. Skin is amazing. Thin enough to hold all the bursting flavor and juices but not too thick to become gummy. Steamed is better than pan fried. Go heavy with the crushed pepper with the house dumpling sauce that is on all the tables. If you have extras bring them home, heat a skillet and drop them in. Better pan fried after they sit and cool off. As I said before this place may be the best hidden treasure in the metro area."
· Sichuan Pavilion [Official Site]
· China Bistro [Google]
Sichuan Pavilion [Photo: Andrew C./Yelp]
