Peter Chang brings "Chinese tapas" to Arlington

"Chinese tapas" and baiju cocktails are on tap at NiHao, a Peter Chang restaurant that just opened in National Landing for all-day dining.

Why it matters: Chang is justifiably famous for his classics but we're always eager to try new twists.

The big picture: The Chang family opened NiHao in Baltimore in 2020. It won a big Esquire " Best New Restaurant " award, but daughter and business manager Lydia Chang says they're going full-tilt in Arlington — their 18th restaurant — without pandemic restrictions.

Dig in: The modern Szechuan spot feels breezy with greenery, a patio, a bright bar, and a shareable menu. Lydia Chang says the idea is "big flavors, small plates" so guests can try more things.

• A big menu is filled with tapas and snacks, generally $4 to $15, plus two large-format branzino dishes.
• Cocktails like a sparkling lychee-vodka-grapefruit concoction are named after Chinese movies.

Insider recs: Chang says you should try her mom's chicken noodle soup, dad's homemade Szechuan sausage, and adventurous bites like pig ears or trip-and-tendon in chili oil.

If you go: NiHao is open for lunch, dinner, and takeout. Delivery and a bottomless tapas brunch coming soon.