I have a long term love affair with some foods (sushi, gelato, cookie dough). Others are casual friends with benefits, coming into my kitchen when the season strikes (brats on the grill, hot chocolate). A few are embarrassing lapses of judgement I’d rather forget (Hot Pockets, I’m looking at you). One of the benefits of living in a diverse city like DC is that there are always new foods on the horizon, a new flirtation just around the corner.
So really my relationship with Vietnamese food is more along the lines of giving each other the casual whats-up head nod at parties. We haven’t really gotten serious. My introduction centers mainly on pho, that glorious beefy noodle soup that warms my soul every winter. I’ve also indulged in the occasional banh mi sandwich.
Make no mistake – I’m the one missing out by not trying to get to know Vietnamese a little better. So for our first official date, I wanted to go to the best: Four Sisters. There are an abundance of modest mom-and-pop Vietnamese restaurants in the DC/NoVa area but the restaurant that always rises to the top of the class with praise is Four Sisters.
Located in the ‘burbs of Falls Church, Four Sisters took me by surprise from the start with their sleek exterior and interior. I arrived expecting more of the modest family-owned experience typical of Vietnamese restaurants in the Clarendon area. Four Sisters (which is family owned as well) stomps out that idea with an upscale, modern vibe more often seen in Thai restaurants. My second surprise came once we were seated. The menu? Lo, it is expansive. I’m talking sixteen pages of food options expansive. Influenced by its geography (nihao!) and political history (bonjour!), Vietnamese cuisine delivers a variety of flavors and I’m pretty sure Four Sisters offers each and every one in three different forms. This is definitely a restaurant where dining with a group and sampling each other’s plates is a benefit to all.
We started the meal with crispy pork spring rolls and roasted quail served with lime dip. The spring rolls were packed with minced pork, surprising me with the lack of shredded cabbage. They were good – crispy without being too
image courtesy of UrbanSpoon.com
greasy – and the salty fish sauce added a nice element to the flavor. Overall I was content but not overly impressed. The roasted quail, however, was a different story. Laquered and crisp, these tiny birds delivered a robust smoky flavor in a miniature package. When we moved into entrees, my grilled beef arrived with wafts of lemongrass sitting on a plateful of light vermicelli noodles. The beef was flavorful and tender, clearly a high quality cut.
With a menu as robust as Four Sisters’, I could spending months exploring their dedication to high quality Vietnamese cuisine without a single repeat dish. Sadly, Four Sisters is just a touch too far away for regular visits. I suppose it will have to be a long distance crush.
Four Sisters
8190 Strawberry Ln
Falls Church, VA 22042
June 30, 2010 at 10:58 pm
We loved Four Sisters when they were still in Seven Corners. I must say, however, that we were not so impressed with the new restaurant, and really wish they were back at the Eden Center. But Vietnamese food is one of our favorite go-to foods.
July 1, 2010 at 9:51 am
I never had a chance to visit Four Sisters before the big move/remodel. What do you think is different? Was the Eden Center location as sleek as the current set up?
I’m also up for suggestions for where to eat on a maiden voyage to Eden Center. Mike and I have been dying to try it for a while.
July 1, 2010 at 10:07 am
The Eden Center location was much more like the non-descript mom/pop locations of many Asian restaurants. The new digs are a definite upgrade in what seems like a good attempt to grab a new demographic.
My recommendation at Four Sisters is to go with two to three other people and order family-style. The pork with rice crepes, the shaky beef, and the carmelized tofu are all really good. I’m glad to see you discovered the quail. We missed that for a while, but now it’s one of our favorite things.
July 1, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Eden Center was definitely not as sleek in appearance, but we were disappointed in the food the night we went. Seemed less fresh, less flavorful than what we were used to.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a good replacement at Eden Center – we keep trying different ones, but aren’t happy with them.
We’re pretty old school Arlington – we’ve been eating Vietnamese in Arlington since the early 80s – and have a nostalgic connection to the old mom/pop restaurants – like the Miyan – that used to be abundant in Clarendon. If we find one we love, we’ll be sure to post.
July 2, 2010 at 10:20 am
Try the Vam Viet in Clarendon. Been eating there since it’s hay day. I ate at the Miyan and Di nam, but Nam Viet has the best nuc mom (fish sauce) I’ve ever had. Mrs. Toi, the owner, is a wonderful person.
August 6, 2010 at 5:32 am
Looks good!