Asia Cafe or other Chinese takeout?

We've tried the new one in Southern Walk 3 or 4 times, and would rank them a good bit above Asia Cafe; HOWEVER, we just discovered Cafe Opera about 3 weeks ago and have are SO very glad we did! :mmm:

 

Thanks, Steve. We're fairly new to the area, and I've already found a lot of great info on the forum; I just haven't had much opportunity to offer something that hasn't already been said. Thanks again!

 

Cafe Opera has recently eliminated their Lunch Special on the weekends AND raised their prices.

This was my favorite place but I'll be trying some of the other options in our neighborhood now.

 

Good Fortune in the Giant shopping center off Claiborne is our favoriet! Everyone has different taste so at least there's now a couple for you to choose from.

 

I really like the pad thai from Thai Basil (Safeway Shopping Center). It's the best I've had in NOVA. I've eaten at the one on Route 50 in Chantilly several times and this is just as good.

I tried Cafe Opera the other night for the first time after reading the posts on here and I must say that it didn't disappoint. The portions may have been smaller than I would get from Asia Cafe, but the quality was much better IMO. It seems they use white meat instead of dark meat for most of their chicken dishes. This makes a big difference IMO. The sesame chicken that I had was tender and easy to chew, contrary to Asia Cafe. Can't wait to try it again.

 

Maybe Cafe Opera does better with their Chinese offerings, but I went there Friday around lunchtime for takeout -- ordered eggrolls, miso soup and the salad with japanese ginger dressing. Huge disappointment. The miso soup was bland, the ginger dressing had way too much wasabi and the eggrolls were very greasy.

I may give them one more shot, but not seeing what you guys are raving about....

 

We tried Cafe Opera for the first time tonight and were pleased with it. The food was good, the atmosphere was nice, and the service was wonderful. My only issue was that my order of chicken with cashews wasn't spicy at all. Not that it necessarily should have been, but when I eat the leftovers (which there were) I'll add a bit of garlic to add more flavor. That said, it still was good, I just like it a bit spicier. Next time we go I'll ask for it that way, and I bet they'll do it.

 

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I love Saigon Star (Vietnamese in Safeway plaza)...great service and pho.

 

University of Massachussetts?

Chengs or Cafe Opera.

The new takeout by near American Flatbread is good.

 

(Gasp!) What new takeout at American Flatbread?!?

 

I think they mean the new takeout NEAR American Flatbread.

 

Uh - oops - I got all excited there for a minute...

 

NO... AF is now doing takeout. We were there for dinner on Friday night, the joint was PACKED, and it took much longer to get our food because they are now doing takeout. But it was still good, and I'm happy to see business booming for them.

 

Yes, you could always do "takeout" at American Flatbread. You just cannot call ahead for your takeout!

 

ah.

 

My husband and I like Hunan Cafe, over by the new Harris Teeter in Broadlands.

 

We recently had take out from AF and called ahead to order it.....

 

You can definitely call ahead to AF (hooray!) Their pepperoni is from heaven.

On the chinese front, I'm a big fan of Good Fortune.

Anothai is delicious.

And Saigon Star's ginger pork (and ginger soft-shell crab) are wonderful as is their wonton noodle soup. Also, they have the best crispy spring rolls around.

 

Hunan Cafe is actually pretty good. We use to order from Asia Cafe....we also tried Opera too.....Opera is much more expensive if you ask me......Hunan actually has some great dishes and reasonably priced.