Asian Origin - McLean

Better versions of two appetizers and two entrees that we ordered are available at other DC area Asian restaurants. Two other entrees we hadn't seen elsewhere but were mediocre. All of the stir-fried entrees we ordered were oil sodden.

With a elegant decor, yet casual enough to wear jeans, Asia Origin is the best of all Asian restaurants. From creative sushi to hot and cold appetizers to Chinese and Pan-Asian dishes, the meal was enjoyable and well worth the money. Great tastes in a relatively quiet atmosphere makes it easy to talk and spacious enough that you are never sitting on top of the people next to you. Don't let the Tyson's location fool you. The restaurant is on a side street that has ample parking and no crowds. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Asian food with a flair.

Service could be a bit better as our waiter was unsure about drink options from the bar but the hostess greeted us in a very professional manner. The atmosphere was great, and you know the food is good when an oriental restaurant is packed with orientals....and yes, the food was authentic and excellent.

Service was terrible. Hostess was rude, didn't seem to care that I had a reservation, didn't provide us menus when we sat down. After 20 min, still no menus, had to ask for a waitress to come by. A minute after providing menus, waitress came back for our orders. Placed our orders, and my friend's entire meal came in about 5 minutes, but my spring rolls came out about 5 minutes after her full meal and my entree never arrived. An hour later, after asking the waitress, she said she didn't end up putting the order in for some reason. Friend asked if they use MSG, and the waitress said she'd ask, but she never came back and seemed to be avoiding us. Barely came over to fill the water. They only took 10% off the bill.

The decor is modern and uplifted, but eating is good and not excessive American. the customers of the restaurants were in the night we visited, mostly Chinese, which we thought was a good sign.