Chicken with Oyster Mushroom

Ingredients:
1 lb sliced Oyster Mushroom
1 lb diced Chicken Breast
1 diced Whole Onion
5 tbsp Oyster Sauce

Steps:
1. Stir fry the diced onion with some cooking oil for like 5mins in a hot wok.
2. Add diced Chicken Breast into the wok. Cook till chicken is almost cooked.
3. Add sliced Oyster Mushroom into the wok and stir fry it for 2 mins.
4. Add the oyster sauce and stir fry for another 2mins.
5. Turn off the flames and cover the wok and let it sit for a few mins.

Notes:
Add Oyster sauce to taste. Also if you think that the dish is too dry, add some water.

Cost:
The recipe above is good for at least 6 to 8 people and cost less than $10 to make.

Tabooleh

Ingredients:
1 bunch of Cilantro
1 whole Onion
2 whole Tomatoes
4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 whole Lemon juice

Steps:
1. Dice up the cilantro, onion and tomatoes finely.
2. Add lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and mix everything together.
3. Put tabooleh into the refrigerator till serving time.

Notes:
The extra virgin olive oil is not necessary. If you like tomatoes, you can add more into the tabooleh.

Cost:
The recipe above is good for at least 10 people and cost less than $6 to make.

Cilantro Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
1 bunch of Cilantro
1 lb Chicken breast meat
3 whole Tomatoes
4 Eggs
1 can of Chicken Stock

Steps:
1. Bring 1/2 gallon of water to boil.
2. Add 1 can of chicken stock into boiling water to make the soup base.
3. Dice up chicken and add it to the soup.
4. Cut tomatoes into quarters and add into the soup.
5. Cook for 30mins.
6. Beat up egg before adding it into the soup. Stir the soup while slowly adding the egg into the soup.
7. Add cilantro and cook for another 5mins.
8. The soup is ready to be served.

Notes:
After adding the egg and cilantro, avoid cooking it too long as the color of the cilantro will change.

Cost:
The recipe above is good for at least 6 to 8 people and cost less than $8 to make.

Mayuri Indian Cuisine in Virginia

Mayuri
2316 Hunters Woods Plz
Reston, VA 20191
703-860-4999

Mayuri is an Indian restaurant. Like many Indian restaurant, they serve lunch buffet everyday. They are a southern style Indian restaurant. Their selections are not much but they have a balance. Usually a few types of bread, rice, meats, vegetables, chutney and desserts. Just the desserts is worth the trip.

Cost:
Lunch Buffet - $12 including tax and tips.

Suggestion:
This Indian restaurant is unique for their selection of chutney and their desserts. One thing that I like a lot is their cabbage chutney and their mango lassi ice cream. Since it is a buffet, there is no need to worry as you will find something that you will like.

Big Bowl Asian Kitchen in Virginia

Big Bowl Asian Kitchen
11915 Democracy Dr
Reston, VA 20190
703-787-9045
http://www.bigbowl.com/

Big Bowl Asian Kitchen is an American Asian Restaurant. They have a variety of Asian cuisine like Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese. They have a wide selection of vegetarian, seafood and meat. Below is what I ordered when I was at the restaurant.

Fried Calamari

Fiery Dumplings

Tofu Pad Thai

Ginger Cake

Cost:
Appertizers - $6 to $10
Main Entrees - $8 to $25
Desserts - $7

Suggestion:
If you are at this place, you must order the fried calamari. It comes with 2 types of dipping sauces. Get a few appertizers if you are not into the main entree. But do definately save some room for their dessert. The Ginger cake taste like ginger cookies and is top with banana ice cream. It is definately a must have if you are there.

Victor's Grill in Virginia

Victor’s Grill (Churrascaria)
7634 Lee Highway
Falls Church VA 22042
703-573-4161
http://www.victorsgrill.com/

Victor's Grill is an Argentinean Churrascaria restaurant. That is their specialty. On the weekend, they have a wider selections in their menu. But those specialties are only available till it is sold out. So if you plan to order those specialties, go early on the weekends. I usually order the following during my visit there.

Salad with Parrillada Argentina

Rice and Fries with Parrillada Argentina

Parrillada Argentina

Cost:
The above meal is $52 including tips and tax.

Suggestion:
Definately order the Parrillada Argentina. You get all of the above. Not a meal for those that don't eat beef. I would say the plate is good for 3 or 4 people. Order something else if you do not want beef.

Thai Pilin Restaurant in Virginia

Thai Pilin Restaurant
8385 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
703-556-9191

Thai Pilin is a small authentic Thai restaurant. It is one of the most cheapest Thai restaurant in the area. This is not a fancy restaurant, it is more like a fast food joint by the menu selection is great. You order from a window during lunch time but at night, it is a sit down restaurant. Below is what I usually order for lunch during my visit there.

Steamed Dumplings

Crispy Springroll

Spicy Crispy Catfish

Cost:
Appertizers - $4 to $6
Main Entrees - $8 to $15
Desserts - $5

Suggestion:
I would definately recommend the steam dumplings as an appertizer. The roasted garlic that comes with the steam dumplings just enhance the taste of the dumplings. For the main entree, definately go for the Spicy Crispy Catfish. Not a fan of seafood, go for their pad thai. They make it very well over here at this restaurant.

Dolce Vita in Virginia

Dolce Vita
10824 Fairfax Boulevard
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-385-1530
http://www.dolcevitafairfax.com/

Dolce Vita is a small Italian restaurant that is family owned. The environment at this restaurant makes you feel at home. Definately a good place to enjoy a quiet Italian meal. The ingredients at this restaurant is made fresh as well. Below are some of the dished ordered during my last visit.

Grilled Calamari

Bruschetta

Fresh-Diced Tomatoes, Grilled Sliced Portabella and Parma Prosciutto

Fresh-Diced Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Mozzarella , Artichoke Hearts and Zucchini

Veal and Spinach Filled Cannelloni in A Aurora Sauce

NY Strip Steak with Brandy Sauce

Cannelloni

Cost:
Appertizers - $4 to $13
Main Entrees - $10 to $30
Desserts - $6

Suggestion:
Usually you do not share food at an Italian restaurant but I would recommend sharing your food in order to try a variety. Definately order a pizza as it is made fresh to order. Average per person is about $30.