LumDimSum Discovery: Mian Dui Mian 面兑面

Pork Noodles topped with Peanuts & Scallions (RMB 10)

There’s something to be said about a simple mound of noodles. It’s loved across cultures all over the world. Call it pasta, call it noodles, at the end of the day, it’s all starchy-goodness.

And while noodles are served in practically every Chinese menu in the world, only a few will highlight it as their signature dish.  Mian Dui Mian 面兑面 offers a simple menu with 3 noodle dish options -pork, braised beef or braised pork intestines – all range from RMB 10-18.  To compliment the noodles, there is a small selection of side dishes including pickled cucumber salad and marinated egg to name a few.

Out of the three noodle options, almost everyone in the restaurant, including our table, all ordered the same dish – Noodles with Pork Sauce topped with Peanuts and Scallions. I think that this exact noodle dish is what Marco Polo must have conjured when he took Asian-inspired noodles to Italy to eventually become Spaghetti Bolognaise.

This noodle dish is an interesting mix of flavors and texture, where Spaghetti Bolognaise meets Sichuan-style Dan Dan Mian.  And the best part? This massive portion of noodles (picture above is their small portion) is only RMB 10 and if that’s not enough for you, you can order an even large size for RMB 12 I think.

And unlike your average local noodle joint, this one is decked out in everything IKEA from its furniture and light furnishings to the water pitchers, you will feel that this noodle joint is cleaner, cozier and rather stylish if you will.  Guests can choose to sit at a long counter in front of the noodle station or on tables tucked inside a second room surrounded by glass walls for a very open, airy atmosphere.

Review of Mian Dui Mian面兑面: Right next to Exit B of Dongsi Subway Station, 7 Dongsi Toutiao, Dongcheng District,东城区东四头条7号 Tel: 6400 8781

Best Part:

• Big, heaping serving of Noodles – I recommend the Pork Noodles topped with Peanuts and Scallions (RMB 10).  It’s got the look and texture of Spaghetti Bolognaise with the Ma La “numbing” spice of Sichuan Dan Dan noodles.
• It’s super cheap - like “10 kuai for a meal” kind of cheap.
• Relatively clean space decked out in everything IKEA.
• Menu is limited to only a few items, so it’s straight-forward and simple to order.
• Casual dining space perfect for a quick lunch.

Comments:

• Noodles were great, but all of us ordered the same kind so we didn’t get to sample much else on the menu.
• Service is non-existent, so it’s more of a quick-service restaurant.
• Don’t expect anyone to speak any English.
• Space is quite small so seating is limited, but luckily you can count on patrons to quickly eat and leave and not linger around so if there isn’t a seat right when you walk in, you won’t have to wait long for one to be made available.

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

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 5
• Service: 4
• Overall Experience: 6
  

Chapter 1 of Ginger & Spice: Tasting Stories

Chinese food has a bad reputation of being unhealthy and too oily.

Let Ms. Shanti and Ms. Shauna prove this all-too-common myth wrong.

Fellow foodie & creator of showshanti, Shanti Christensen‘s blog features a collection of home-style recipes from her travels all around China and she is finally compiling all her healthy recipes together into a cookbook showcasing healthy Chinese food using sustainable and artisan practices.

Teaming together with Shauna Cho of Paper restaurant, this unstoppable team is on a mission to “educate appetites on how to enjoy Chinese food using fresh wholesome ingredients by hosting food-related courses and community events.”

Join them as they are just beginning their story – Chapter 1: The Launch.

Featuring pass around canapés created from recipes from their Cookbook Project and Paper’s new menu, this will also be a great opportunity to stock up on some exotic Malaysian spices and ingredients, courtesy of Sambal 01: The Pantry (selling Malaysian cruisine ingredients, homemade spices, sambals, simple syrups and aprons).

To find out more, click here for their mission and how they are teaming up with CAI and making a difference.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, September 16

Time: 8PM

Location: Paper

Address: 138 Gulou Dongdajie (just 200 meters west of Nanluoguxiang), 鼓楼东大街138号

RSVP: Click on Image Below

Project Runway: Fashionista Fashion Show II

Once upon a time, I too was a Fashionista (click here for article).

Unfortunately, my 15 minutes of fame are over, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.  Those were the good ‘ol days.

Although my time has come to an end, the line of fashionistas continue strong. From the bright and preppy to the dark and edgy, each Fashionista’s style is unique and bold.

Cheer on and vote for your favorite CW Fashionistas as they compete for “Fashionista of the Year” this Saturday, September 18 at Hotel G’s Scarlett.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 18
• Time: 7:30PM-10:00PM
• Location: Scarlett (Hotel G)
• Ticket: RMB 50 (includes 2 drinks)

Soak Up the Last Bits of Summer

As much as I hate to admit it, summer is soon coming to an end.  I hate Beijing winters as much as everyone else, so these last few weekends of sunshine and blue skies will be cherished and savored to the nth degree.

If I’m not swimming and suntanning in Chaoyang Park (click here for article), then sprawling out on a shaded green lawn for a massive picnic party is the next best way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

After a weekend of debauchery, a chilled out afternoon in Chaoyang park with packed sandwiches, chilled white wine, a portable iPod and speakers and good friends is the perfect hangover cure.

LumDimSum Snapshots of My Sunday Afternoon in Chaoyang Park:

Monumental Ghostly Heights by Bradford Kessler

A good friend of mine and very talented artist, Bradford Kessler currently is hosting his solo Beijing debut exhibition at Da Feng Gallery in 798 from now until September 19.

Inspired by incidents relating to dreaming and escape, his exhibition references themes of conspiracy, movies, drugs, suicide and philosophy displayed in blueprints with bat blood, pretend B-Flick movie posters, and a set of abstract fiberglass sculptures coated in surfwax.

“An underlying thread of his works is the desire to escape humanness and discover what Walt Disney would call a “magic kingdom.” This search of a dream and the suspension of disbelief that supports it are evidence of a generation attempting to define and maintain their eternal youth. Kessler represents a generation of young artists rapidly surfing the internet, unafraid of pioneering new conceptual territories, and willing to dramatically expose themselves in the name of expression and creativity.”

Check out his interview with Time Out Magazine, click here.

Art Exhibition Details:

• Date: Until September 19
• Location: Da Feng Beijing Gallery
• Address: Factory 798 Art Zone, South Area at Dashanzi, 大山子798艺术区南区
• Website: http://www.dafenggallery.com/en/.html
  

Don’t Miss: China Cello Philharmonic @ The Bookworm

This Sunday, The Bookworm & Time Out Magazine will be hosting one of the most influential cellists in the world, Chu Yibing and the China Cello Philharmonic (Chu’s group of 6 cellists) as one of their featured Sunday Salons, an interactive lecture series that takes you “behind the music” of China.

Chu’s group of six cellists regularly tours the world and was the first Chinese chamber ensemble to play for Chinese President Hu Jintao and the US President Barack Obama.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, September 12

Time: 7:30PM

Location: The Bookworm

Address: Sanlitun Nanjie, 三里屯南街4号楼

Tickets: 30RMB; 20RMB (members).

Back-to-School Bash @ BLING

Bling’s annual Back-to-School party is back with a new attitude & a Back-to-School Dance-Off.

After summer holidays come to a close, Bling is going to get you kids back in school mode. I’m talking rulers, reading glasses, lunch boxes galore.

Don’t forget your school uniform.

• Ladies: Plaid skirts, glasses, think Britney’s braided pigtails.

• Guys – white shirts & black ties (glasses optional).

• Dress code strictly enforced and people who dress in school uniforms enjoy complimentary cocktails all night!

Exclusively @ Bling!

Date: Saturday, July 10

Time: 9pm-late

Dress: School Uniforms receive complimentary cocktails all night!

Reservations for table bookings are highly recommended: Hill: 138 1085 8776

LumDimSum Discovery: The Orchard’s Garden of Eden

The Orchard is easily one of my favorite places in Beijing.  If it weren’t so far, I swear I’d spend every Sunday there. The food is awesome (click here for previous restaurant review), I love their fresh organic salads, the home-baked bread, their banana bread is AMAZING, and the food selection is always changing with what’s fresh and what’s in season.

The trip to the Orchard is a bit tricky if you’ve never been, but trust me, it is well worth your while. A canopy of apple trees will greet you at the entrance, and once you step into the charming courtyard oasis, you will feel right at home.

And once you finish your meal, take a stroll and lounge about in their beautiful garden oasis.  Exploring the area, I felt like I was discovering the real “Secret Garden”.

The lush, green trees, the lotus filled pond, the drooping willows, the moss covered bridge, the cobbled walkways, the shaded swings, the brick walls covered in vines, orchards lined with apple and pear trees…I could go on and on.

It’s so pretty, it doesn’t even feel real.  Struggling to battle my food coma, I didn’t want to even blink because I didn’t want to take my eyes off the dreamlike scenery before me.

If you’ve never been before, I highly recommend going there for brunch and then spending the rest of your afternoon walking around or just sitting and soaking in the picturesque scenery.

The Orchard: Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang Township, Shunyi – Located right behind the Beijing Riviera and Quanfa Gardens  崔各庄乡何各庄村  Tel: 139-1121-1965, 6433-6270

LumDimSum Snapshots of The Orchard’s Garden:

Green Smoothies & Healthy Chocolate Truffles

The World Health Store’s monthly raw foods class is such an addictive experience.

You not only get to try some delicious raw food recipes, you also get to learn how to make simple recipes that actually taste so good and best of all, they can easily be reproduced in the comfort of your own home!

In previous classes, Raw Food Chef Jennifer McClelland has made summer bisque, cherry tomato and basil pizza, and a chocolate mousse made out of avocados and raw cacao. This last Saturday, Jennifer treated us to Green Smoothies and Chocolate Truffles in the Raw.

A twist on the standard fruit smoothie, Jennifer introduces fresh organic leafy greens to widen your range of nutrients. The smoothie we tasted in class was a combination of bananas, mango, lemon, kale with a combination of both Chlorella and Spirulina powder.

Green snoothies will give you a cleaner intestinal tract, more mental clarity, increased energy, healthier hair, suppler skin and stronger nails!”

-Jennifer McClelland on Green Smoothies

Before & After Shot (A Whole Lot of Goodness Packed into One Bowl)

See the Master Herself at Work:

Jennifer’s Secret to Healthy Chocolate Truffles –

Raw Cacao Powder, Walnuts, Cashews, Raisins, Coconut Oil & a Blender

Note: Next Raw Food Cooking Class is Saturday, October 23: Learn to make Raw Vegan Sushi Rolls & Orange Chocolate Macaroons

To Sign Up:

• Contact: 5900-2209, www.worldhealthstore.com.cn

Outdustry & Bespoke Go Sumo

Outdustry & Bespoke Beijing‘s monthly office parties are easily one of the major highlights of my month (each and every month).

These office parties are really one-of-a-kind. Generous and gracious hosts aside, there’s always free beer, local chuar, an eclectic mix of music, art, film industry cats and unlike your typical office, Outdustry/Bespoke’s office is set in a beautiful hutong courtyard just south of Guijie.

On top of the usual good people, good beer and good music, we couldn’t resist the urge to indulge in some sumo fun. Inspired by the Hatsune 9 Year Anniversary Party, it was only natural that we get the sumo suits too, the perfect addition to our monthly office party.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Outdustry & Bespoke Gone Sumo:

My Favorite Photo of the Night.

Scratch that.

Favorite Photo EVER

Goodbye to Lantern

To make way for another KTV chain, the hottest underground after-hours club, Lantern closed with a bang this weekend.

Packed both nights with massive crowds of people lining out the doors, Beijing joined together in their love for underground electro to say their last goodbye.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Lantern’s Closing Weekend:

China Showcased Through Expats: Miss Laowai China Pageant

Witness 35 expat foreigners in China from over 20 different countries compete for the crown of Miss Laowai China this Saturday, September 11.

Developed to promote awareness towards breast cancer, motherhood, education and culture, this pageant will be hosted at The 21st Century Hotel (next to Lucky Street) at 7PM.

Proceeds will be donated to the breast cancer patients of Tiangtai hospital.

“This beauty pageant is an artistic celebration of natural beauty, and a showcase of culture and heritage which seeks to promote and combine physical and inner beauty together with culture pride. Miss Laowai China aims at creating role models and champions in beauty, purity and culture for many outstanding young foreign women who seek personal development through small help groups and outreach programs.”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 11
• Time: 7PM + After Party at Nashville Bar
• Location: 21st Century Hotel
• Address: 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. Tel: 64683311
• Ticket: RMB 150 per person or RMB 300 for VIP ticket (includes entrance to after party at Nashville for free flow beer)
• ***RSVP to Moya by Sept. 9: RMB 100 per person or RMB 200 for VIP ticket (e-mail the following info: name, company, tel, e-mail)
• RSVP Contact: Moya Li 13810965294 and e-mail: moya.lizeng@gmail.com

All 35 participants will be judged in the following categories:

1. Chinese Talent – Participant will perform by herself and can sing, dance, play instrument, etc (for maximum of 4 minutes

2. Personality & National Outfit – Personality-participants introduces herself and includes all information from “Education and Accomplishments” (within 2 minutes)

3. Country of Origin Talent – Participants will showcase their own country’s culture in dance, sing, poem etc

4. Evening Gown- Participants walks in style long gown (Dress)

5. Question & Answer – Participants answer randomly selected question within 2 minute

6. Posture, Composure, Presentation (eye contact, smile etc)

Background of MISS LAOWAI CHINA

Miss Laowai China Pageant is a cultural exchange platform organized at this magnitude to encompass the interest of both Chinese and Foreigners in China. While it calls for participation of female foreigners in China, its main aim is to promote friendship and understanding of the way of life in China through the eyes of foreign beauty and revealed in talent about Things Chinese. This platform allows the women to show how savoir-faire they are in China life. In their daily life they are goal-oriented and aware of the importance of Chinese culture on the global scale. Therefore, delegates who become part of the Miss Laowai China Organization will display the characteristics and aspirations from their everyday lives. Miss Laowai China is therefore a conduit through which they will compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and also release their kindred spirit to improve the lives of others.

The crowned Miss Laowai China is an ambassador of diversity and a positive role model. She helps extend peoples knowledge of her country, and she bridges China and Foreign culture. Miss Laowai is the dual intent single foreign voice representing foreign cultural interest in China and local culture to the foreigners. The winner of Miss Laowai China Pageant will dedicate a full year as an International Spokesperson, Advocacy for Inspiring a Renewed Interest her country, and creating awareness on Social, Cultural, Health and Wealth.

IFC GALA at Capital M

Hosted by Beijing International Festival Chorus (IFC), enjoy an exclusive gourmet dinner paired with matching wines and live entertainment at the exquisite Capital M Restaurant on Saturday, September 11.

Featuring a live jazz band, Children’s Choir and auction, all proceeds from the evening will benefit IFC – “helping us to spread the magic of music in China through our outreach and education programs as well as through our performances.”

Tickets have almost sold out for this exclusive event, and a few places are now left with individual tickets available at RMB888 each. Tickets are also available in tables of 12 for RMB10 000 per table. Ticket includes cocktails and canapes, three course dinner and matching wines, and fabulous entertainment from IFC performers.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 11

Time: 16:00-20:00

Location: Capital M

Tickets: RMB 888 or table of 12 for RMB 10,000


Contact: All ticket enquiries may be directed to tickets@beijingifc.org or call 1521 039 3940.

Go “Gombe 50″ with Jane Goodall

Meet and greet the renowned Jane Goodall as she hosts an evening celebrating environmental conservation and wildlife protection.

Hosted in 1725 Courtyard, enjoy a meal prepared from fresh produce grown in their organic farm, this special event in a gorgeous historical setting marks the 50 anniversary of Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking research on chimpanzees at Gombe National Park in Tanzania.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, September 17th
• Time: 5:30-9:30PM
• Location: 1725 Courtyard
• Address: No.6 The West of Shuangqiao Street
• Transport: JGI just will be providing a FREE shuttle bus service on September 17th for attendees, departing from Kempinski Hotel and Kerry Centre at 5:00 PM with return to these locations at 9:30 PM. You may sign up for the free shuttle bus service at the time of purchase of your tickets.
• Ticket Prices: Adults RMB 700; Children 12 and under RMB 350
• Website: http://www.jgichina.org/en/info_detail.asp?id=2384
• Tel: 010-8536-1188

Jane Goodall will also be speaking at Beijing Foreign Studies University on Saturday, September 18.

In her lecture, Gombe and Beyond: The Next 50 Years, Dr. Goodall will reflect—both personally and professionally—on the meaning of the past five decades, the extraordinary changes the world has seen since 1960, and the impact these changes have had on people, animals and the environment we all share. In addition, she will discuss the role we must all play over the next 50 years to ensure a better future for generations to come.

2010 Dr. Jane Goodall’s “Hope for Animals and Their World” Public Lecture and Gombe 50 Celebration

• Date: Saturday, September 18th, 2010
• Time: 14:00-16:30
• Location: Beijing Foreign Studies University
• Ticket Price: 30RMB
• Website: http://www.greeningthebeige.org/gtb/node/637

Background:

The year 2010 marks a monumental milestone for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and its founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE. Fifty years ago, Goodall, who is today a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace, first set foot on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park. The chimpanzee behavioral research she pioneered there has produced a wealth of scientific discovery, and her vision has expanded into a global mission to empower people to make a difference for all living things.

Ignite the “Red Capitalist” in You

If you’re a regular follower of LumDimSum, then you probably know that I’m normally ALL about the food. Restaurant reviews are usually dominated by food shots, but upon visiting Red Capital Club for the first time, the beautiful, traditional courtyard space and the authentic, historical furniture and decor can not be ignored.

“It’s easy to feel nostalgic at Beijing’s Red Capital Club. Communist manifestos cram shelves, photos of the Chairman and Politburo pals packs walls, and the seating is in stuffed chairs from Marshal Lin Biao’s office.” – FORTUNE

LumDimSum Snapshots of Red Capital Club’s Design & Decor:

After enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the bar & lounge area of the restaurant, we were ready for our 2-person set dinner menu.

For starters we were served a cold tofu appetizer dish presented in the shape of a heart followed by a bowl of Hot & Sour soup. Next came the “Behind the Silken Fan” Asparagus dish, “Gong Bao” Shrimp, and “The Great Khan’s Choice” Mongolian Lamb Spiced with Sesame dish. As you can see with the photos below, each dish was served with meticulously well-thought-out presentation.  Highlights of the meal was the Gong Bao shrimp and Hot & Sour soup. Overall though, each of the dishes’ main draw was still the aesthetic over taste.

Review of Red Capital Club: 66 Dongsijiutiao, 东四九条66号 , Tel: 6402-7150

Best Part:

• The traditional Chinese courtyard ambiance and historical artifacts decorating the restaurant lounge and bar space.
• Each dish is uniquely and beautifully presented.
• The Gong Bao Shrimp was the highlighted dish of the meal.
• A perfect venue to bring out-of-town guests.

Comments:

• The two of us ordered the set dinner menu for two so we did not try much of a variety or order off the regular menu, but my overall impression of the food is that it is very mediocre and temperature is not as hot as it should be (my guess is that they take so long to work on presentation of the dish, that takes priority over its temperature).
• Overall, the main draw and attraction to Red Capital Club is definitely its decor.
• Advanced reservations are generally required.
• Expect to see a lot of out of town guests and tourists.

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

• Food: 6
• Atmosphere: 9
• Service: 7
• Overall Experience: 7