Szechuan Restaurants near Mclean, VA

“Based this experience, I can only give a 'reluctant' 4-stars *only* because the ingredients used were really fresh. Past Peter Chang visits at other locations seem like the entrees were created for tourists and this theme seems to have permeated to this location as well. It's been a mystery on what the Peter Chang created cuisine is meant to celebrate since the Chinese entrees carry marketed Sichuan or Chengdu flavors that are very muted, lackluster, and just brand-name expensive.

What is carrying the 4-star is the use of very fresh ingredients which is an absolute must if a restaurant wants to survive in this super-affluent McLean neighborhood; otherwise, I would have assigned a 3-star rating. We ordered the Dry-spicy combo hot pot, Chengdu seafood with crispy rice, Dragon eggplang with garlic sauce, and Amish duck bone soup with pickled radish.

What made dinner enjoyable? ..... the highly considerate staff. Again, good staff service would be a must in this affluent McLean neighborhood. Other than fresh ingredients and considerate service, I can pass on visiting Peter Chang moving forward.

Why pass on Peter Chang for me? We ordered the most Sichuan/Chengu spicy entree and nothing was ma-la/chengdu/sichuan spicy at all (this was the biggest let down of the entire dinner). The eggplant was cloyingly, aggressively too sweet. The Amish duck soup was supremely salty. And the Chengdu seafood entree was only adequate. Now the plating is another awkward story. The plating for all dishes were not practical at all and the spoon utensil seems more for show than ladling any liquid at the bottom of the bowl or plate. The dry hot pot swiveled like a gryoscope whenever you are mixing ingredients to prevent burnt food at the bottom. The huge bowl for the Chengdu seafood had such a small base, it could tip at any moment. Come to think of it, the plating and dishware seem to be prioritized higher than the flavor of the food. On top of all this, the price for each entree is nose-bleed high for the lack of authenticity in the entree recipes. To add insult to injury, each bowl of white rice was billed separately and didn't come with ordered entrees.“

“I've been to this restaurant many times, and overall, the quality of the food is quite consistent.

The Spicy Peanuts and Sichuan Pickles are delightful starters.

The multi-flavored Peanuts (complimentary) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The peanuts have a complex mix of flavors—those who like it will really enjoy it, while others may find it a bit overwhelming. However, the peanuts themselves are always crisp and fresh.

Sichuan Pickles (complimentary) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

They don’t taste exactly like traditional Sichuan pickles, leaning a bit on the sweeter side. But they are still very crunchy and refreshing.

Boiled Sea Bass ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We often order the Boiled Sea Bass in Spicy Sauce. The spice level is just right, and the fish is tender and flavorful. I recommend spending a bit extra to get the sea bass instead of tilapia; it's well worth it, as the sea bass is much tastier.

Fragrant Thousand Page Tofu ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️?

It is served over a small hot stove, keeping it warm and adding to the satisfaction of the dish, especially in the winter.
The Spicy Sliced Conch is a must-order for me because I love the crisp texture of the conch slices. The spicy and numbing flavor is spot-on. They also offer a mustard-flavored version, which is quite good as well.

Pork Tongue with Teatree Mushroom ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is another favorite. The pork tongue is tender, and the unique aroma of the teatree mushrooms makes this dish outstanding.

Beef with Black Fungus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is both delicious and budget-friendly. The beef is tender, and there’s a generous amount of black fungus, making it a satisfying choice.

Garlic Water Spinach ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is decent—not particularly exciting, but it doesn’t disappoint either.

The restaurant’s ambiance is average, with a slightly worn feel. However, they do have a private room that can seat 10-12 people, offering good privacy.

For parking, you'll need to use the nearby garage. The first two hours are free, and after that, it’s $3 per hour.

Vegetarian options: Thousand pages tofu

Dietary restrictions: No

Parking: The first two hours are free, and after that, it’s $3 per hour.

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Love enjoying lunch and dinner here. I enjoy the staff and make sure you make reservations because the weekend evenings get pretty packed. Good food Good atmosphere Good staff Highly recommend“

“The crab rangoon is so upscale compared to most restaurants: sweet crab and crispy wanton. The tea makes them pop (flavor). \n\nI ordered sweet and sour chicken it was beautiful and the batter was light, crispy and delicious. It was not greasy at all. \n\nThis is a fine place to dine.“

“Food was big family style dishes. Chicken with hot dry peppers is a must. If you haven’t tried Sichuan chicken before and you like hot food then you definitely need to. Such a weird and cool experience. It’s spicy but in a different way.“

“For those is Virginia looking or in the mood for Chinese food please visit this place. 5/5 food was delicious, good portions and quick service. We ordered the Orange chicken, General tso chicken, Lo Mein, shumai and spring rolls. No complaints !!!“