DMV Food Exploration

Restaurant: Lao Sze Chuan in Bethesda Located in North Bethesda near Rockville, directly accessible via DC Metro Red Line – the location couldn't be more convenient! We were visiting clients nearby and decided to finally try this long-awaited Lao Sze Chuan for lunch. The elegant and quiet atmosphere makes it perfect for dates or business meetings! 🍽 Dining Experience With just two of us, we ordered three dishes – and none disappointed (in our opinion!). Here's a quick breakdown: 🦆 Peking Duck We originally came for classic Sichuan dishes but discovered they serve whole Peking ducks (Image 2). The skin was exceptionally crispy with much of the fat rendered out, making it non-greasy yet flavorful in the pancakes. They thoughtfully placed paper between each pancake to prevent sticking (Image 3) – attention to detail! 🍲 Braised Lamb Hot Pot This dish arrived with an aromatic fragrance – a braising style with a subtle Sichuan peppercorn numbing sensation, though the mala was very mild, letting the braised flavors dominate. The lamb belly was cut thick, each piece stewed until tender enough to separate with chopsticks. The texture was soft and lean without gaminess! The rich, reduced sauce wasn't overly salty and paired perfectly with rice. 🥬 Pea Shoots in Superior Broth As a vegetable lover, I always order greens when dining out. The pea shoots were wonderfully tender, stir-fried in a broth made from salted egg, century egg, and chicken egg – incredibly umami, with plenty of shrimp. The crisp texture and natural sweetness of the shoots shone through – absolutely top-notch! 🍃 Ambience | Fine-Dining in the Chinese Restaurant Scene Walking in, I was amazed by the dark green color scheme, soft lighting, and dark wood accents. The spacious seating with velvet upholstered chairs felt premium. If not for the Chinese menu, I might have thought I'd stepped into a Western fine-dining establishment. This exploration was made possible by Fantuan's invitation and support! For DC folks, the restaurant is a bit of a trek, but if you don't want to make the journey, you can now order directly through them! #DMVFood #DMVDining #LaoSzeChuan #JHUdc #GWUfreshman #GeorgetownFood #RockvilleFood #FantuanDelivery #ArlingtonFood