Cheap Eats 2007: Fortune -Falls Church

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Michele Kayal , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Don Rockwell

Fortune - Falls Church

6249 Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA
Phone: 703.538.3338

Cuisines:
Chinese, Cantonese, Dim Sum

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
East Falls Church

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Business Attire

Noise Level:
N/A

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Weekend Brunch

Price Details:
Appetizers $2.75 to $6.50, entrées $8 to $28.


The first thing you see near the front doors is the bank of seafood tanks. In the big dining room you might catch a Chinese wedding party or other celebration—often a banquet that lasts for hours.

Much of Fortune’s menu is devoted to what’s in the tanks: lobster, crab, geoduck (also known as king clam), and sea scallops. There’s also conch, squid, cuttlefish, oyster, clam, abalone, shrimp, and sea cucumber. This last, sautéed with baby Chinese vegetables, is as fascinating as it is rewarding.

Pay attention to anything “salt baked”—a classic Cantonese preparation that Fortune uses for chicken, pork chops, even frog.

Dim sum is served seven days a week from 11 to 3; arriving early is recommended on weekends. But curb the impulse to reach for the first things that come by—the dim sum menu features around 70 items. Three you shouldn’t miss are the salt-baked geoduck, baked sausage bun, and pan-fried turnip cake.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.