“Xiu 秀” without the “Shui 水”

Tonight, Park Hyatt’s Xiu Bar hosted a Bikini Fashion Show by Habinki. After arriving around 10:30pm to see a bunch of chippendale shirtless muscle men, I was expecting the fashion show to be something god-awful. But to my surprise, the production, the bikini product, the models, and the turn-out was very well done and executed.

Xiu's Outdoor Patio

And the place was packed.  When I arrived, there was already a line at the entrance, every outlet of Xiu was filled including the two outdoor patios, the dance floor was packed, it’s no wonder everyone is talking about Xiu being Beijing’s newest hotspot to see and be seen.

And I’ve got to give it to them, the design of this huge space is impeccable – segregating various sections, each design catering to a different market, providing something for everyone’s tastes and comfort.  From its cozy whiskey lounge, to its cool vodka bar, massive rectangular main bar perfect for people watching, lively but cheesy pop band, and my personal favorite – the outdoor patio incorporating traditional Chinese architecture in the midst of a cosmopolitan backdrop.

Review of Xiu 秀:   The Park Hyatt’s trendy new lounge, Beijing’s newest hot-spot to see and be seen.

Best Part:

• Ingenius design and use of space
• Two massive outdoor patios incorporating elements of traditional and modern, perfect for lounging
• Consistently full, even on the weekdays
• A diverse and international crowd
• A gigantic main bar with lighting perfect for people watching

Comments:

• The band is talented, but pretty cheesy and they repeat the same songs over and over
• The music is way too loud in the main bar, making it impossible to have a conversation without yelling

Park Hyatt Beijing, F/6, 2 Jianguomenwai Street
北京柏悦酒店, 建国门外大街2号6楼

8567-1108

A Tour of the Hatsune Empire

For the past two summers, Alan will take on 3 interns from UNC (University of North Carolina), who will spend two months in an entrepreneurship program to learn about start-up companies and the F&B industry in China.  Through this program, the interns get an inside scoop “behind the scenes” of Alan’s restaurants, from spending time in the kitchen, behind the bar, greeting customers at the reception, and eventually serving tables.  And once a week, we all get together to attend Alan’s lectures to raise discussions pertaining to the F&B industry, doing business in China, and also to learn from him and his successful business models and effective management style.

Each of the three interns were posted in different venues, and with each venue, the interns made a strong effort to invest themselves and make the most of this unique opportunity- proactive, motivated, and helpful.

As this was their last week in China, we inadvertently found ourselves on a tour of the Hatsune Empire.

Monday: We started off the week with dinner at Hatsune (Sanlitun Village) and ordered all of our favorites: the G-Roll (a pimped out Moto-roll-ah available on Alan’s secret menu), Steak Rossini, Sake Gohan (Salmon Fried Rice), Dynamite Roll, Hatsune Salad, Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls, and the Rina Roll.

Hatsune's Famous Sushi Rolls

Tuesday: Karaiya Spice House. Conveniently located across from Hatsune in the Village, the interns wanted to try everything else on the menu they didn’t get to try the first time around.  I highly recommend the Signature Fish, Signature Ribs, Bullfrog in a flaming mini wok, Spicy Pepper Diced Rib-eye, and Foie Gras Fried Rice.

Karaiya's Signature Ribs

Spicy Pepper Diced Rib-eye

Wednesday: Haiku by Hatsune‘s “Become a Sake Samurai” Sake Tasting Dinner Party. Their last day working, Alan invited them to join his sake tasting dinner party of 45 people including a 7 course Haiku tasting menu and an introduction to 4 different sake from Alan’s personal collection.

The Dinner Menu:

1. Assorted Japanese Tapas

Haiku Sushi Bar

2. Tuna Tataki Salad

3. Yakitori Moriawase: roasted chicken wing, yakitori skewer, beef & zucchini, miso pork

4. Tempura with Prawn and Vegetables with Nori sea salt dip

5. Mini Oden: fish cakes, daikon radish and quail egg broiled in a traditional dashi soup

6. Assorted Haiku Sushi Rolls: a sample of 3 of Haiku’s best selling rolls

7. Ice Cream & Fruit Dessert

Sake Tasting List:

1. Shiro Yuki- This was the “normal” sake that we had.  We sell it as a hot sake in Haiku.  Of all the normal, or futsuu, sakes, this one proved to be very smooth and light.

2. Komeshizuku Junmai- This sake has a strong flavor on the palate, and is considered by me a banana and pear fruit bomb.  Each rice grain is polished down to 60% of the original size, which almost qualifies it as a Junmai Ginjo.

3. Kakurei Junmai Ginjo- This sake is from Niigata, a region well known for sake production because of the superior water quality.  It is milled down to 55% of the original rice grain, and has strong fruit and a hint of mint character on the palate.

4. Shotoku Junmai Daiginjo- This sake is milled to 45%, yields strong pear and yogurt flavors, and is the smoothest and thickest in viscosity.

“Keep in mind that some of these sakes are not available in the restaurants, but the main idea is to grasp the difference between the various qualities of taste and production.  Hatsune and Haiku have an extensive sake list so I encourage you to try some out and compare, looking for the taste qualities that you have experienced at the sake course.” – Alan Wong

Thursday: The Interns’ last night on the job, I organized a dinner for them at my personal favorite: Kagen Teppanyaki. A place they had only observed and always wanted to sample, this was the perfect place for their last night. My personal favorite: The Surf N Turf & The UpperEast Side Set Dinner (includes appetizer sampler, sashimi sampler, salad or soup, hibachi shrimp, teppanyaki fried rice, vegetables and fresh fruit with carmelized bananas.)   In the biggest private room, Alan and Hannah brought baby Mason to join the party!

Kagen Teppanyaki

Still to come for me:

Friday: 2nd Round of Haiku’s “Become a Sake Samurai” Sake Tasting with 2nd group of 50 pax.

Saturday: Hatsune’s 8 Year Anniversary Party with private dinner party in the Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu) and Official 8 Year Party at the new Hatsune (Sanlitun Village) for an all-you-can-drink plus sushi samplers and appetizers for 100rmb. Party kicks off at 10pm.

Recap:

The Moto-Roll-ah at Hatsune = 75rmb. Karaiya’s Signature Ribs = 95rmb. Haiku’s 7-course Sake Tasting Dinner Party = 200rmb. Kagen Teppanyaki’s UpperEast Side = 230rmb. Hatsune’s 8-Year Anniversary Party all-you-can-drink deal = 100rmb.

A Week Tour of the Hatsune Empire: Priceless