The Beginning of a new Tongli?

It’s remarkable how completely different Sanlitun looks during the day compared to the bustling night scene. And I’m not talking about the Village, I’m talking about the street running perpendicular, Tongli Studio – with Aperitivo, Luga’s, my favorite DVD spot, and about 5 new restaurants that just recently popped up: Muse, a Japanese restaurant with sushi, teriyaki and noodles, Salud, and Juliette’s – a fine-dining French restaurant with chef from Jaan, Guillaume Gaillot.

I’ve observed Juliette’s from the outside and by walking by it multiple times, and you can tell this venue was much more refined than it’s neighboring hubs like Shooters and Luga’s, but I was taken aback to find it to be so fine-dining, as in Maison Boulud fine-dining.  A la carte menu’s appetizers average about 75RMB, main entrees about RMB 200 (the lobster dish is RMB 450) and desserts in the same price range as appetizers.  It will be interesting to see how Juliette’s develops and whether its affect on its neighbors will be stronger than its neighbor’s affect on Juliette’s business/clientele/image.  Juliette’s is definitely the first of its caliber on Tongli Studio .

After flipping through the menu, the set lunch was the obvious choice:

• 2 courses for RMB 78
• 3 courses + coffee RMB 98
• 2 courses with 1 glass of house wine RMB 108
• 3 courses + 1 glass of wine + coffee RMB 128

For the starter, I tried the ‘Vichyssoise Soup with Pesto’ dressing followed by the ‘Poached beef tenderloin with fried potato, natural jus’  while my friend who works for the Village Times, Annabel Greene, opted for the Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Salad and the ‘Grill Salmon Fish with Celeriac Puree and Beetroot Reduction.’

Best Part:

• Portions were generous, Taste was on-point
• I like the name
• Set Lunch Meal was a great deal
• It’s conveniently located

Comments:

• Furniture, seating, and venue layout seems more suited for a more casual bistro rather than a fine-dining restaurant
• Prices from ordering off the a la carte menu is 8x more expensive than its neighboring venues, wow the contrast is quite extreme. When I see these prices, I immediately compare it to the standards set by Maison Boulud.  While the food and portions were satisfying, the service, interior, and dining experience as a whole is just not up to par with the Big Boulud.