When Thanh and Kim Lai with their six children immigrated to the US from Vietnam in 1982, they dreamed of opening a restaurant that sold street food — a taste of home from Ho Chi Minh. The first rung towards that goal was a 30-seat restaurant in the Eden Center that served Thanh’s unique recipes. Thanh’s cooking was such a hit, that their restaurant was featured in Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservation’.
The next rung was when they decided to to open a new restaurant in Virginia’s Mosaic District called Four Sisters named for their four daughters — Ly, Le, Lo-Ann and Lieu.
Now their son, Hoi Lai and his wife, Joyce has opened an eatery in Clarendon, VA., on April 2014 with the same name, but with a fast-casual concept. The menu consists of appetizers, banh mi sandwiches, pho, vermicelli bowls and rice dishes.
I was invited by the Lai’s to cover the Grand Opening which kicked off with a Vietnamese lion and dragon dance and face painting.
“When a lion enters a restaurant, it symbolizes the removal of negative energies and brings good fortune, health and prosperity,” said Hoa.
Hat Boi is a traditional art form for Vietnamese people.
Children feed the lion lucky money in red envelopes known as ‘Li Xi’.
Then from the corner of my eye, I saw her. She looked Vietnamese but then she looked half Caucasian. She had short brown hair with golden highlights and matching horned rim glasses. Dressed in a casual pink tank top she seemed to be enjoying her Banh Mi. It was topped with carrots, jalapeños and cilantro and I noticed she had soaked the lemongrass pork with a healthy dose of Sriracha sauce.
I ordered a Singha beer and some crispy spring rolls and introduced myself.
“Christine,” she said as she wiped her hand on a napkin and reached to shake mine.
“Beautiful day for a Banhi Mi, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Yes it’s a beautiful, sunny day.”
“Do you like to eat out a lot?”
“From time to time, but I’m pretty skilled in the kitchen.”
“What do you like to cook?”
“Everything but I prefer fish. And I’m partial to the cuisine of my home country.”
“Superb. Always exciting to see a new Vietnamese restaurant opening in Arlington isn’t it?”
“Absolutely, I’m a big fan of Four Sisters.”
“How’s your lemongrass pork BTW?”
“Tender and bursting with flavors, but I’d rather have a lemongrass margarita.”
“Haha, wouldn’t we all.
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Photos by Skvora Limited Media
