Qingdao: Beaches, Blue Skies & Home of Tsingtao Beer

If you are looking for an easy escape for the October National holiday, I highly recommend the beautiful city of Qingdao.

Only an hour flight, I made my 3 day mid-week getaway during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday break and was delighted to feel for the first time in months strong ocean breezes and see bright blue skies, long stretches of sandy (and rocky) beaches and Lao Shan Mountain is one of China’s natural pleasures.

Located about 45 minutes away from Qingdao, Lao Shan is just between the mountains and the beach and is often credited with being one of the temples that gave birth to Daoist Philosophy .  A beautiful combination of high reaching cliffs, giant rocks, waterfalls and clear water, this is a must-see for anyone traveling to Qingdao.

Foodies will experience plenty of seafood all around.  Shops are filled with all kinds of dried seafood from dried squid, fish, abalone, the works.  Dried seafood is not exactly my cup of tea, but the fresh seafood served in restaurants was a nice change from Beijing.  Of course you shouldn’t leave Qingdao without eating clams or “Gala”. Although I didn’t experience much of Qingdao nightlife, I am sure there is an unlimited supply of Tsingtao beer.

A famous Qingdao phrase I learned during my brief visit:

“Ha Pijiu, Che Gala”

Translation: Drink Beer, Eat Clams

Cheers to that!

LumDimSum Snapshots of Qingdao:

May 4th Square/Ba Da Guan Scenic Area /St. Michael’s Cathedral/Zhan Qiao Pier

Tsingtao Brewery

Qingdao Seafood & Cuisine:

Qingdao Parks & Beaches:

Zhan Shan Temple:

Lao Shan Mountain:

Killer Korean BBQ: Ai Jiang Shan

One of the best Korean restaurants in town, I’ve got to give some love to Ai Jiang Shan. Located in Lido, this Korean restaurant is known for its quality meat, delicious side dishes and impressive decor.

Highly recommended by my friend who is an exceptionally tough food critic, especially when it comes to Korean cuisine, she was eager to introduce me to her top pick Korean restaurant in town.  And I must admit, they’ve got it down from the beautiful interior space, the string quartet as background music, to the table service and super massive menu selection.

Some say Ai Jiang Shan is on the expensive side, but I’d say that outside of WuDaoKou and WangJing aka Korea-Town, this restaurant is one of the best and is guaranteed to impress.

The check came to be about RMB 300 for two (no alcohol included), but we ordered a ton and it was all delicious.  I’d say that the most challenging part of our dining experience was picking what to order out of so many mouth-watering choices.

Highlights were the Bulgogi (stir-fry marinated beef with mushrooms), Chapche (glass noodles) and all the free side dishes.

LumDimSum Foodie Snapshots:

Awesome Free Side Dishes

Set of Four Sauces for the meat

Grilled Mushroom Bulgogi (stir-fry marinated beef) RMB 128/Pork Belly RMB 78

Chapche (clear glass noodles in Korean sauce) RMB 45/Kimchi Pajun (Korean pancake) RMB 58

Review of Ai Jiang Shan: North Gate of Side Gongyuan, Jiangtai Xilu, 将台西路四德公园北门 , Tel: 8456-9511

Best Part:

• Best tasty (free) side dishes I’ve tried at a Korean restaurant
• Quality meat and nice sauces to pair
• Massive menu offering all types of meat, seafood, veggies and Korean staples
• Very professional and skilled service staff to do all preparing and cooking for you
• Peaceful ambiance with string quartet as a nice touch
• Impressive restaurant space and beautiful VIP rooms surrounded in glass.

Comments:

• It’s such a nice upgrade from dining experiences at cheaper spots like Han Na Shan, but sometimes it’s also fun to eat a ton of food for super cheap (RMB 50 per head) and grill your meats yourself.  But if you’re looking for a more relaxed and enjoyable dining experience, I’d recommend Ai Jiang Shan.
• It’s worth noting that this restaurant came highly recommended by Korean foodie experts.
• Ai Jiang Shan is a restaurant chain with another location in Haidian district.

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 8
• Atmosphere: 9
• Service: 7
• Overall Experience: 8
  

LumDimSummary: BJ Foodies @ SWITCH!

Last Sunday, BJ Foodies hosted their monthly “Indulge for a Cause” foodies event at SWITCH!, the restaurant project in 798 Art District by Chef Billy Kawaja & his catering team at Culinary Capers.

With the dining space completely open to a massive open kitchen featuring four live food stations and practically unlimited drinks, this was an amazing foodie experience.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Live Food Stations:

Arugula Salad with pears, cranberries, walnuts and Parmesan /Mac & Cheese Truffles

Duck Confit Sandwich / Grilled Prawn Tacon

Donuts in a Bag / Strawberry Pepper Martini

LumDimSum Snapshots: Open Kitchen Dining Experience @ SWITCH!:

Highlights of the dinner at SWITCH! were the Prawn Tacons, Arugula Salad and Strawberry Pepper Martini.

As an added bonus, BJ Foodies raised a total of ￥2423.50 RMB for CHINA CARE.

Shout out to Ms. Alice Chen for introducing CHINA CARE and helping to spread the word.

*We will soon be organizing trips for active volunteers at their orphanage in Shuangjing, so please contact me directly (kristen@lumdimsum.com) if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.

Alice Chen (L) with CHINA CARE representatives

SEP Charity Theme: ‘CARE’

Sunday Coffee Break: Shangrila Farms Coffee Tasting

After a lovely 3-day mid-week break thanks for Mid-Autumn Festival, most of us are back to work…unfortunately for the weekend.

To make “lemonade out of lemons”, Shangrila Farms is inviting all you hard-working bees to take a Sunday Coffee/lunch break as they are hosting a Coffee Tasting this Sunday, September 26 from 11AM-5PM at Unconditional Love Coffee (in Pinggod Apartments).

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, September 26
• Time: 11AM-5PM
• Location: Unconditional Love Coffee (ULC)
• Address: Pingod, 22 International Art Street, Apartments, 32 Baiziwan Lu
  朝阳区朝阳区百子湾路32号苹果北社区今日美术馆往东100米

Sunglasses at Night: Oakley Party

Fashion is not practical.

Be cool and sport your sunglasses …at night.

Launch for Oakley Sunglasses in Sanlitun Village showcasing the “Artist Sunglasses Series” with custom, one-off art pieces created exclusively for Oakley.

The event will be featuring DJ Chozie spinning tunes, Actor/musician Vanness Wu, and graffiti master Dai working his magic making custom Oakley t-shirt designs on the spot.

Expect a party full of trendsetters, music, art, skateboarders, snowboarders…obviously where all the cool kids on the block will be.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, September 27
• Time: 7:00-10:00PM
• Location: Patio above Oakley Store, Sanlitun Village
• RSVP: RSVP@OAKLEY.COM (Deadline is Sept. 25)

Music Beyond the Moongate: Ah-Q Jazz Ensemble

Presented by Yishu 8 Art & Culture Space, here is a summer concert series “Music Beyond the Moongate”.

Introducing Modern Jazz with the Ah-Q Jazz Ensemble, you can enjoy a performance followed by a Q&A session with the group and “learn the answers and secrets of Jazz.”

About Ah-Q Jazz Ensemble:

The Ah-Q Jazz Ensemble performs an eclectic mix of jazz (straight ahead and modern), funk and Latin music. Mixing different styles and influences is the band’s trademark. The band also writes and performs their own original jazz compositions, and released their first album, a double-CD entitled “Yi Nian”, in March 2007.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 25
• Time: 7:30PM
• Ticket: RMB 100 per person
• Location: 200m inside Cable 8 Factory (尚8)
• Address: No.8 Langjiayuan, Jianguo Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing 北京朝阳区建国路郎家园8号尚8创意产业园
• Tel: 6581 9058

‘Ham It Up’ at ROOM

ROOMbeijing knows good ham.

Serving up some of the nicest selections of fine ham in the capital (ranging from RMB 55-750 for 100g platter), here is a list of my top 3 picks:

#1 Top Pick: 5J pata negra ham (Spain)

The king of hams from the black-hoofed pig, rich nutty flavour (RMB 750/100g)

#2 Pick: Salami – Italy

Cured Mixed-Meat Sausage, Air Dried (RMB 55/100g)

#3 Pick: Parma Ham – Italy

Cured for 2 years (RMB 90/100g)

If you like to mix it up, ROOMbeijing also offers mixed ham platters:

• Selection of 3 – RMB 560/150g

• Selection of 6 – RMB 660/300g

Click here for ROOMbeijing Restaurant Review.

ROOMbeijing:

中国北京市朝阳区建国门外大街2号

北京银泰中心三层301-302 邮编: 100022

301-302, 3/F, PARK LIFE Shopping Centre, Beijing Yintai Centre

No. 2 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Tel: 8517-2033

LumDimSummary: Ginger & Spice Launch

Ginger & Spice Launch Party

Last week, Shauna Cho of Paper and Shanti Christensen of showshanti teamed together for the launch of their new brand: Ginger & Spice.

This brilliant duo is on a mission to prove Chinese food can be healthy too by “educating appetites on how to enjoy Chinese food using fresh wholesome ingredients by hosting food-related courses and community events.”

With their Cookbook Project and Paper’s new menu, Shanti and Shauna also showcased Sambal 01: The Pantry – literally a pantry selling everything from Malaysian cruisine ingredients, homemade spices, sambals, simple syrups and aprons.

Sambal 01: The Pantry

An added bonus?  Their Cookbook Project is joining forces with CAI, a program of the Promise Foundation, a US non-profit organization that works with the children of migrant families in both rural and urban China, to “empower underprivileged children and youths in China through Confidence, Courage, Commitment, and Care”.

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Ginger & Spice: The Launch Party:

The Superstars Behind Ginger&Spice: Shauna Cho & Shanti Christensen

Mid-Autumn Festival = An Excuse to Party

Ring in the Mid-Autumn Festival with parties already starting this Tuesday night:

The techno legend Derrick May with Punk resident DJ Saul D will be playing for one night only @ PUNK.

“From the cold, mindless machines comes so much hope, spirituality, and soul…. this is how Techno was born, in the urban wasteland of Detroit, and Derrick May (along with Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson) is the godfather of this sound.”

Wednesday, September 22:

Lunar Moon Party @ BLING:

Bling will also be celebrating the Lunar Moon Party with complimentary moon cakes for all guests along with Ladies drink specials (complimentary Mojito & Cosmopolitan cocktails ALL NIGHT).  Gents enjoy all-you-can-drink specials for only RMB 100.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, September 22
• Time: 9PM to late
• Location: BLING
• Free Entrance

If hip-hop is not your thing, celebrate with Acupuncture Records as they turn 3!

Acupuncture’s 3 Year Anniversary Party:

“Since its inception in 2007, Acupuncture has released 6 international EPs and 2 full length albums in addition to hosting China’s first large-scale electronic music festival INTRO and opening their very own nightclub, marking a ground-breaking epoch in China’s electronic music history.”

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, September 22
• Location: LAN Club
• Cover: RMB 50

As Mad As a Hatter: Elisabeth Koch Millinery

A fashion show showcasing a collection of original and out-of-this-world hats.

Having designed for everyone from royalty to wedding brides world-wide, Elisabeth Koch is launching a fashion show at The Opposite House on Thursday, September 23 at 14:30PM.

“Every hat is a work of art and no two are alike.”

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 23
• Time: 14:30PM
• Location: The Opposite House (Sanlitun)
  
• No RSVP Required
• www.elisabethkoch.net
  

LumDimSaying: by Christian D. Larson

“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.

Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!”

–Christian D. Larson

Thank you to JUMP! foundation for introducing me to this ray of inspiration.

*What is a LumDimSaying? A quote I find worth noting. And sharing.

Try An Alternative to Moon Cakes

Moon cakes are tricky.

They are so adorable on the outside, but you never know what you’re going to get when you take a bite – it can be anything from egg yolk and lotus seed paste (most common) to red bean paste, taro paste, 5 Kernel (a combo of different nuts and seeds mixed together), jujube paste, the list goes on.

This Mid-Autumn Festival, I suggest a safe and delightfully clever alternative:

1. Moon Pies by the Pie House:

Each box contains four flavors (RMB 199):  French Silk with hazelnuts, Cheesecake, French Cream, and Peach Cream

Delivery available from Sept. 13 to Sept. 22.  Free delivery within 4th ring road.

2. Moon Cupcakes by Lollipop Bakery

Minimum order of 1 dozen, but they can custom deliver them in separate boxes of a half dozen to your family, friends and clients.  For further bespoke options, call us!  280RMB per dozen

To order, call: 13552772683 or e-mail Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn

To all LumDimSum’s friends, I wish you all a very happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Do It “the Modo Way”

New addition to Sanlitun Village‘s hip and happening third floor dining level, Modo is a petit Spanish restaurant (approx. 70 pax seating capacity) that specializes in petit dishes. Co-owned by Mosto’s Daniel Urdaneta and Alex Molina, Modo showcases a beautiful open kitchen and a wine bar serving 18 wines by the glass and 80 by the bottle.

Modo's Open Kitchen

As the case with many newly opened restaurants, there’s been a lot of buzz about Modo. From opening until today, I have heard mixed reviews of Modo.

While the general Beijing consensus of Mosto is a big two thumbs up, people seem perplexed by Modo.  I’ve heard complaints about it being too expensive, I’ve heard the portions are just too small, I’ve heard complaints about the location and seating, but I think the main source of the problem is that everyone is comparing Modo to Mosto.  The same way that TERRA is NOT SALT, MODO is NOT MOSTO (love all the CAPS).

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I don’t see how so many people can make all of these complaints when Modo explains how your dining experience will be as soon as you enter. Right when you sit down in MODO, you receive a very clean, straight-forward menu that clearly states its restaurant concept/philosophy.

In Spanish, modo means ‘manner’ or ‘way’.

We encourage patrons to enjoy the food we serve the Modo way, which means no starters, no mains, no sides: pick a selection of Small Plates – as we call them – share them with your friends and just relish in the variety of flavours we have to offer. The Small Plates are served fresh out of our open kitchen, in no particular order: once ready they go straight to your table. This is eating the Modo way. On the other hand, if you have your own modo in mind, just let us know. We are here to make you happy.”

Clean. Simple. Straight to the point.  It’s not “your way or the highway”.  It’s “the Modo Way”.  So go with it.

Between a group of ten of us, we not only ordered a broad selection of the menu, we ordered two orders of each dish. We also shared 3 bottles of wine and the total bill was only RMB 150 per person.

Out of the 17 Small Plate dishes on the menu, we ordered 11. Favorites among the table were the Octopus Salad, Seared Rare Tuna and Pesto Capelletti.

Here’s the whole sha-bang:

Crunchy Salad (RMB 40), South American Corn Polenta with Avocado, Chicken, Fresh Cheese and Spicy Pepper Sauce (RMB 40)

Seared Rare Tuna, Mango and Avocado Salad, Tamarind-Sesame Sauce (RMB 60), Goat Cheese and Feta Tortelli, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Organic Butternut Squash Foam, Thyme Oil (RMB 60)

“Smorrebrod“, Herbs Herring with Crema Cheese Truffles and Radish on Rye Toast (RMB 55), Duck “Ceviche” Braised Duck Leg, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Corn and Citrus Juices (RMB 55)

Warm Octopus Salad with Shredded Crispy Potatoes (RMB 55), Crispy Pork Belly with Roasted Red Apples (RMB 65)

Cappelleti Filled with Shrimp, Leeks and Walnuts, Creamy Pesto Sauce (RMB 60), Braised Lamb Shank Raviolone with Rosemary-wine demi sauce (RMB 70)

Review of Modo: Located between Karaiya Spice House and Tony Studio on 3rd Floor of Sanlitun Village: S10-31, 3/F, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Rd,三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S10-31, Tel: 6415-7207

Best Part:

• With Mosto’s Daniel Urdaneta and Alex Molina behind Modo, you can count on them to produce quality food, ambiance and service.
• I highly recommend the Octopus Salad (RMB 55).
• A great date place if you’re in the mood to enjoy fine wines with nibbles.
• Very reasonably priced wines by the glass and by the bottle.
• Great ambiance and buzz in the restaurant with people sitting both outside, downstairs and upstairs.
• Service was on point, impressive and professional.

Comments:

• While it is the “Modo way” to only have Small Dishes, I think I still prefer to have a 3 course menu with appetizers, mains and desserts rather than trying to fill up on tapas, where essentially every dish is the size of an appetizer.
• It’s better to dine at Modo with a bigger group so that everyone can share a wider selection of tapas.  As I mentioned, for the group of ten of us, we ordered two of each dish and it was plenty of food for everyone and including 3 bottles of wine, total was only RMB 150 per person.  I think it can be quite pricey with only 2 or 3 people though.

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 8
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 7

BJ Foodies: ‘CARE’ Charity Meal @ SWITCH!

Join BJ Foodies as part of the very first group of addicts to try out the new restaurant project, SWITCH! by Chef Billy Kawaja & his team at Culinary Capers.  Known for catering major events (British Columbia Pavilion at the 2008 Olympics and 5 star dinners on the Great Wall), Culinary Capers will be going all out with live food stations, an open kitchen and giving foodies the chance to interact with the recipes & perhaps even stepping behind to make something yourself!

This month’s BJ Foodies Charity Meal proceeds will be donated to CHINA CARE, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of medically fragile orphaned children in China.

ARUGULA SALAD

Sliced Pears, Fennel, Parmesan sheets, Fresh Cranberries, Candied Walnuts

w/ Toasted Anise Vinaigrette

STATION 2:

MAC & CHEESE TRUFFLES

w/ Marinara Sauce

STATION 3:

DIPPING DUCK

Duck Confit, Caramelized onions, Aged Goat Cheese

w/ Vienna Baguette

STATION 4:

GRILLED PRAWN TACON

Pineapple carrot coleslaw, Cilantro Lime Crema, Hand Guacamole

w/ secret Salsa

STATION 5:

DONUTS IN A BAG

Tossed in Cinnamon Sugars, Mascarpone cream, Apple Sauce, Berry Compote

+ 1 cocktail or grape juice (wine)

“Indulge for a Cause”

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, September 19, 2010
• Time: 7:30-10:30
• Location: SWITCH!
• Address: 798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu #8503
  酒仙桥路4号798 艺术区北京8503

• Cost: RMB 120 includes 1 cocktail or glass of wine
• RSVP: On BJ Foodies Facebook Group Page, click here.

SEP Charity Theme: ‘CARE’

Hang Out with Hanggai: Hanggai Music Festival 2010

Sponsored by Time Out and jointly organized by Split Works, 13 Month records and the Lotus Center, the Hanggai Music Festival 2010 will take place in the idyllic setting of Anlilong Mountain Villa, a resort/organic farm in Shunyi.

With one main stage, the area will be set up to resemble a Mongolian tribal area (Time Out will be selling delicious Tiger Beer out of a yurt on the grounds), this is a chance to get out of the smoggy city and see Hanggai perform alongside of the best musicians and bands in China’s folk music scene.

The line-up includes Zhang Quan, Mamer & IZ, Shanren, Dawangang, Zhang Weiwei and Guo Long and Nanchang Erge.

For full line-up schedule, click here.

Tickets: 150RMB or 130RMB (presale before September 15), including a round-trip bus ride to the festival.  Pick up presale tickets at Yugong Yishan, Mao Livehouse, Mako Live House, 2 Kolegas, U-Speed Go-Karting, Solo Guitar Shop (Xinjiekou), Tiny Salt Coffee Club, Gulou 121 and Amilal. Buy tickets online through www.piaowutong.com or www.t3.com.cn. Or call the 24-hour ticket hotline at 400 818 3333.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 18

Time: 2PM – 9PM

Location: Anlilong Mountain Villa, Shanlixinzhuang Shimen Mudi, Longwantun Zhen, Shunyi district (6046 5331; 8460 3202). 顺义区龙湾屯镇山里辛庄石门基地.

Getting there and back: Shuttle buses (included in the ticket price) leave at noon on Saturday 18 from the north gate of the Workers’ Stadium (Gongti Bei Men). Return buses leave the festival venue at 9.15pm on Saturday 18. On Sunday 19, buses will leave the festival venue at 10am or guests will be transported to the station for the 918 bus, which returns to Bejiing by the highway.

Lodging: Attendees who bring their own tents can camp free of charge on the grounds – there’s room for about 200 people. Tents will also be available for rent.