James Beard semifinalist Peter Chang’s second restaurant in Arlington is expected to open next month in Crystal City.
Located at 1550 Crystal Drive, the Chinese restaurant NiHao initially planned to open in January next to the Alamo Drafthouse. However, the timeline has since been moved to early April, spokesperson Molly Hippolitus told ARLnow.
Chang and his daughter Lydia co-own the restaurant as well as an existing NiHao location in Baltimore.
The Arlington NiHao will place a particular emphasis on dim sum, slightly diverging from its Baltimore counterpart. Erik Bruner-Yang, a fellow James Beard finalist and friend of the Chang family, is partnering on this new venture, per Hippolitus.
“The all-day modern Chinese concept will highlight Sichuan cuisine with small, shareable plates that lean into the famed chef’s signature use of peppers and spice,” she said.
The menu is set to include clay pot noodle soup with Amish chicken, Sichuan Dan Dan noodles, braised eggplant and tofu, and a variety of steamed and pan-fried dumplings, among other items.
A rendering shared with ARLnow reveals plans for outdoor counter seating with a retractable window by the entrance, and indoor seating. The restaurant is expected to accommodate 40-50 guests.
Chang owns 15 other restaurants besides NiHao, including the existing, eponymous location in North Arlington and new locations Herndon and McLean.