Savor 2010′s Final Moments

Before we say goodbye to 2010, let’s live it up, count our blessings and soak up every last minute before it flies by because before we know it, it’s going to be the start of yet another year!

Ring in 2011 in style and feast to your heart’s content!

New Year Eve’s Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. All-Star’s NYE Buffet Dinner -

Ring in 2011 with Hawaiian-style BBQ Ribs, Orange Roasted Whole Turkey, Seared Sea Bass & BBQ Pork Ribs. Only RMB 188 per person (Kids under 12 years old are half price).

RSVP: 5905-6999

2. Blue Frog -

A 3-course set NYE dinner menu with a special midnight toast.  RMB 268 per person.

Available Friday, December 31

RSVP: 6417 4030

3. Enoterra -

A 12-piece oyster platter +2 bottles of Champagne Gosset Brut for only RMB 998. Each bottle of Champagne Gosset Brut is RMB 498 each.

Available New Years Eve (Dec. 31).

RSVP: 5208-6076; For More Info: www.enoteca.com.cn

4. Migas -

Migas will be ringing in 2011 with Mumm Champagne on their rooftop terrace.  Expect lots of bubbly and funky disco soul beats by DJ Suiki.  Party starts 10pm.

Free for ladies, RMB 120 entrance fee for men, but free entry for pre-reserved RMB 500 bottles of Mumm champagne.

Reservations, contact: 5208 6061

5. ROOMbeijing

Join Brian McKenna with a night beginning with passed hors d’oeuvres and 6 hours of premium open bar followed by a 15 dish gourmet sharing dinner and live music by singer RAYE and a live New Year’s countdown.  RMB 688 per person for set dinner menu and open bar from 8PM-2AM or just RMB 488 for open bar and lounge seating from 9PM-2AM.

Available New Year’s Eve, December 31.

Reservations: Contact Lisa by lisa@room-beijing.com , 010-85172033

*Brian is also hosting a New Years Day Brunch with 15 dish sharing lunch and 4 hours of champagne open bar from 12PM-4PM for RMB 348 per person or RMB 248 for all food and no alcohol.

6.  SALT –

A 5-course set NYE menu and choice of free flow bubbly, selected red and white wines and beer.  RMB 498 per person for food only or RMB 698 with free flow drinks.

RSVP: 6437 8457; Contact: info@saltrestaurantbeijing.com

Sail Away With Me…

For the very first time, my family and I are breaking lifelong traditions and spending our Christmas holiday a world away from California, on a cruise ship sailing down and around South America’s coast.

I’m usually a stickler for keeping with tradition, but after spending my Christmas day trekking through the beautiful terrain of Tierra Mayor National Reserve in Ushuaia, Argentina, I couldn’t be happier!

Watching the world news on the ship about America’s east coast and London’s record snowfall, I feel a little guilty spending my winter holiday break under the beautiful blue skies of Chile and Argentina.  The sun here doesn’t even set until close to 10PM.

And hey, even if I’m not waking up to presents under a giant Christmas tree, my family and I still got into the groove of holiday festivities on the ship!

LumDimSum Christmas Family Pic 2010

Wishing all my LumDimSum friends a wonderful time with your loved ones!

See you in 2011!

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

~Dr Seuss

Christmas!  The very word brings me so much joy and holiday cheer.  While some dread Christmas shopping and the hassle of travel, I cherish all Christmas traditions from putting up lights, decorating a tree, baking cookies for Santa, spending all day in the kitchen, and most of all – feeling the same warm, giddy feeling I had as a child waking up on Christmas day.

A day of meaning and traditions, Christmas has always been a cherished holiday spent in the warm circle of family and friends.

More than just a good time, Christmas is a kind, forgiving, charitable, and loving time.

Open not only presents, but open your hearts and remember that the good you do for others is good you do yourself.

May the gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The heart of Christmas grant you love.

Ho Ho Ho: Beijing’s Best Christmas Deals

When I first came to Beijing in 2006, Christmas decorations consisted of everything from Christmas trees and lights to Easter bunny decorations and Halloween masks. Like most things in this often confused country, the effort is there, but they don’t quite get it right.

…3 years later, Beijing is swimming in choices this holiday season!

Whether you’re in the mood for something cozy and comfortable or something extravagant and indulgent, here’s a breakdown list of top Christmas Eve/Christmas Day feasts:

Christmas Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. All-Star’s Christmas Buffet Dinner -

Enjoy All-Star’s executive chef’s 10 lb. Smoked Turkey & Honey Glazed Ham. Only RMB 218 per person (Kids under 12 years old are half price).

Available both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

RSVP: 5905-6999

2. Blue Frog -

A 3-course set Christmas menu including a special gift.  RMB 298 per person.

Available Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

RSVP with Santa: 6417 4030

3. Enoterra -

A 12-piece oyster platter +2 bottles of Champagne Gosset Brut for only RMB 998. Each bottle of Champagne Gosset Brut is RMB 498 each.

Available Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Years Eve (Dec. 31).

RSVP: 5208-6076; For More Info: www.enoteca.com.cn

4. Maison Boulud –

A 6-course set Christmas menu + glass of champagne. Indulge in a decadent meal – Celery Chestnut soup with Foie Gras, Slow Poached Egg Yolk, Roasted Lobster, Black Truffle Chicken, Wagyu Beef Rossini and dessert. RMB 688 + 15% service charge per person.

Available Christmas Eve & Christmas Day from 6PM-10PM.

RSVP: 6559 9200

5. SALT –

A 5-course set Christmas Eve menu including a complimentary cocktail on arrival. 5 course highlights include Foie Gras, Salmon Tartare, Scallops and Foie, mains (cod fish, tenderloin steak, or rack of lamb) and either chocolate souffle or chocolate soup dessert.  RMB 358 per person.

For Christmas Day, enjoy either 2 or 3-course brunch (12-4PM) or dinner (6-10PM). Each course has selection of 4-5 choices for appetizer, main and dessert.

Separate Set Menus Available Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

RSVP: 6437 8457; Contact: info@saltrestaurantbeijing.com

…And that’s a wrap!

*Don’t forget to save room for Santa’s Cookies!*

Knitting Away Winter Blues: The Hutong Guild

This Wednesday, December 22, “unleash your creativity” at The Hutong Guild’s Knitting Workshop where you can network, get crafty and make a difference with your creations!

As someone with slightly neurotic OCD tendencies, the meticulous art of knitting has always appealed to me so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I first discovered these knitting workshops by The Hutong Guild. Ester and her group of knitters are delightful and after one session with them, I was hooked.  Not only have I been taught a great hobby to help me unwind, it’s also productive and creative.

This program began not only as an excuse to get together with fellow knitters, it is also an initiative to congregate friends and make a difference. Beyond Knitting will be providing The Hutong Guild with free yarn and tools for their charity program Warming Up Orphans. Contribute a square or more to blankets donated to Bethel China.

Bethel China is a non-for-profit organization for blind and orphan kids in Beijing.

The Hutong Guild’s Knitting Squares

I am determined to get good enough to begin knitting scarves, socks, beanies and mittens, but in the meantime, I’m happy to make whatever small contribution I can to Warming Up Orphans.

If you donate your piece to The Hutong Fairs, the money will be donated to other worthwhile causes including:

• Wokai – A non-for-profit organization that enables Chinese people to lift themselves from poverty.
• Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center – CHP is a registered non-for-profit organization with a mission to support communities throughout China to protect their cultural heritage.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, December 22 & Tuesday, January 4
• Time: 6:00-9:00PM
• Location: The Hutong
• Address: #1 Jiu Dao Wan Zhong Xiang Hutong  北京市东城区北新桥十字路口南马路东边北新桥邮局（簋街西头北新桥路口）
• Website: http://thehutong.com/blog/the-hutong-guild/
• Contact: Ester Gomez @ contact@beyondknitting.com or The Hutong @ morgan@thehutong.com

LumDimSum Snapshops of The Hutong Guild’s Knitting Workshop:

Jingzun: Affordable Beijing Duck Alternative

With several branches around Beijing, JingZun Peking Duck Restaurant 京尊烤鸭店 is consistently packed with both expats and locals on a daily basis.  It’s not the best Peking duck in town, but it’s very affordable and they offer many other tasty dishes for incredible value as well.  Menu is extensive and easy to order with pictures and both Chinese and English text (or should I say Chinglish text).

If you want to go all in for throw down for the best duck in town, then Beijing’s best is still Made in China hands-down.  Duck de Chine in 1949 also succeeds in making a big impression on guests with its extravagant decor and excellent service.  But if you want to go the casual, local route, then Jingzun is a great alternative choice.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Jingzun’s Interior:

LumDimSum Snapshots of Jingzun’s Dishes:

Spinach & Peanuts in Sour Sauce (RMB 16)/ Osmanthus Glutinous Rice Lotus (RMB 18)

Duck Gizzards with Fragrant Cedar (RMB 26)/ Mu Er with Shrimps (RMB 26)

Baby Cabbage with Pork (RMB 22)/ Braised Beijing Intestinal (RMB 28)

Braised Eggplant with Pork (RMB 29)/ Fried Cabbage with Salted Pork (RMB 22)

Jingzun’s Signature Beijing Duck (RMB 98 for whole duck or RMB 56 for half)

Review of JingZun Peking Duck Restaurant 京尊烤鸭店 : On east side of Guanghua Lu (east of Hatsune), 1/F Bldg 6, 朝阳区朝阳区光华路东口6号楼1楼 , Tel: 6595 6924

Best Part:

• Popular Beijing Duck restaurant chain with very reasonable prices.
• Restaurants are located all over the city
• Extensive menu selection of popular Chinese dishes
• Nice VIP private dining rooms (photo right)

Comments:

• Call ahead to reserve your duck or you could wait ages to finally get it to your table.
• I recommend the Guanghua Lu branch over the branch by Season’s Park on Chunxiu Lu.

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

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

LumDimSaying: On Surviving Winter Months

“Winter is a time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:

It is the time for home.”

- Edith Sitwell

It’s about that time of year – when most return home for the holidays to spend with family and loved ones.

This year will be my first year spent traveling with my family rather than congregating with relatives under a Christmas tree.  Although I will not exactly be “home” this year, I’d rather say that my family is my home and I’m pretty stoked to spend my winter holiday with them basking under the sun in South America!

Don’t fret my dear readers, even though I’ll be away the next few weeks, LumDimSum will continue to be updated daily throughout!

LumDimSum Family Pic at the top of San Cristobal Hill (Santiago, Chile)

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

Beijing’s Best Eggplant Noodles 茄子面

Just around the corner from the Bespoke/Outdustry office, you can find some of the best Eggplant Noodles or 茄子面 qiezi mian in Beijing.

For only RMB 7, you get fresh, hand-pulled noodles topped with saucy dices of eggplant. The restaurant also offers a variety of other rice, noodle and dumpling dishes, but their Eggplant Noodles are by far their restaurant specialty.

*Restaurant interior is a bit grim, so I’d recommend to place your orders to go.

Eggplant Noodles 茄子面 pre-stirring & post-stirring

Address:

Around the corner from Babao Keng Hutong (just north of Dongsi shisitiao 东四十四条路), 东城区八宝坑胡同

Nike 6.0 ‘Five Gates’ Jam #2: The Cannon

After unveiling the first of ‘Five Gates’ obstacles – The Ledge by Mellowparks.cn‘s very own Liu Li, this Saturday, December 18 will reveal the second Nike 6.0 ‘Five Gates’ Jam #2: The Canon.

Riders are encouraged to use up the morning and warm up for the main event at 1:30PM which will be featuring great beats, sweet prizes and China’s top snowboarders!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 18
• Time: 1:30PM
• Location: NanShan Park (click here for directions and park details)
• More Info: www.mellowparks.cn

Young Prof Networking + Kro’s Nest Soft Opening

A networking event organized by AmCham-China and AustCham’s Young Professionals Committees, be among the first to check out the new Kro’s Nest!

Not only will attendees get a sneak preview of the new Kro’s Nest venue, everyone will receive a complimentary welcome drink and a “Super Happy Hour” drink specials, complimenting samples of their new gourmet pizzas and “exciting twists on old favorites”.

*Space is limited, so please RSVP with Mariel Montuori if you plan on attending: mmontuori@amchamchina.org

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 17
• Time: 5:30PM-9:ooPM
• Registration: RMB 100 (or RMB 50 for AmCham-China members)
• Location: Kro’s Nest
• Address: 35 Xiao Yun Lu   Between 3rd and 4th ring roads, 50m north-east of Bellagio (Across from the Renaissance Hotel)  35号霄云路 (北京国航万丽酒店对面）
• RSVP: As space is limited, pls e-mail mmontuori@amchamchina.org

About the Young Professionals:

The Young Professionals Committee is a working group within AmCham-China where young professionals can build their personal and professional networks, develop career skills, and work with other young leaders to achieve success. The goal of the committee is to help young professionals in their career development in Greater China through inspiring speaking events, opportunities for learning and collaboration, and networking events and exposure to diversified business areas.

WHS Raw Food Potluck Dinner

This Friday, December 17, the World Health Store is hosting its next Raw Food Potluck Dinner (this time it’s Christmas themed!) and everyone is welcome to join in on a unique experience to sample a variety of delicious dishes all gone raw.

Open your eyes to the world of Jennifer McClelland‘s raw food cuisine – where you can enjoy a tasty, delectable meal (including a range of desserts) guilt-free!

To attend, all you need to bring is one raw food dish (think salads and fruits) and if that is too much of a daunting task, you are also welcome to contribute a bag of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or goji berries, conveniently available to you at the World Health Store.

“Raw food is fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds–unrefined and unprocessed by high temperatures of heat and Raw Food Cuisine is natural foods turned into delicious snacks, soups, salads, entrees and desserts.” - The World Health Store

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 17
• Time: 6:00PM
• Requirement: One Raw Food Dish Per Person
• Location: World Health Store at SOHO Shangdu branch
• Contact: 5900-2209, www.worldhealthstore.com.cn
  

MCF’s Christmas Dinner Party

The Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) will be hosting their very first Christmas party with a Christmas dinner of roast chicken with the trimmings, drink specials (10RMB for beer and spirit mixers) and a host of festive games and music this coming Saturday, December 18 from 6:30PM onwards at Café Camardo.

Bring a Christmas gift worth approx. RMB 20 to put under the tree and you’ll receive one in return!  All proceeds from this Christmas party will be invested back into their projects, so lend a hand while enjoying a great dinner party.  It’s Christmas come early…

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 18th December 2010
• Time: 6.30pm – Midnight
• Donation: 100RMB
• Location: Café Camardo
• Address: 38-4 Xingfu Square, Xindong Road, Chaoyang District
  朝阳区新东路首开幸福广场38-4 卡玛多咖啡西餐厅
• RSVP: Before Dec. 16, e-mail: helen@mcfchina.org

Migrant Children’s Foundation Background:

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Beijing through volunteering. Every penny from the Christmas party will be invested back into our projects, so you’ll be lending a hand as well as having a great time.

‘Scuse me while I kiss the sky: Purple Haze Bistro

Purple Haze Bistro‘s move from China View buildling on the corner of Gongti (the same building as Hooters and Danger Doyle’s)  to a hutong courtyard on the corner of Dongsiliutiao 东四六条 and Chaoyangmen Beixiaojie 朝阳门北小街 is much, much better.

On the same street at Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant, the new location is housed in a cozy, charming hutong courtyard with two indoor dining spaces, a tiki-style bar and a nicely covered center courtyard.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Purple Haze Bistro:

Other than the location, not much else has changed – you can expect the same furniture, decor, same menu and same live jazz entertainment every Wednesdays. Some standard favorites include their fresh spring rolls, papaya salad, red and green curries, etc.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Dishes:

Vegetarian Spring Rolls (RMB 35)/ Green Mango Salad (RMB 45)

Minced Beef Salad with Lettuce (RMB 45)/ Pad Thai with Prawns (RMB 40)

Red Curry Vegetables (RMB 40)/ Lime Soda (RMB 28)/Mixed Fruit Shake (RMB 30)

Review of Purple Haze Bistro: On the East end of Dongsiliu tiao, also the corner of chaoyangmen beixiaojie and dongsiliutiao,1 Dongsiliutiao, 东四六条1号, Tel: 6501-9345

Best Part:

• One of Beijing’s best Thai restaurants – food is consistently good and prices are very reasonable.
• Cozy, charming ambiance set in a hutong courtyard
• Stella beer and Beijing Beer on draft (RMB 15 for a big mug)
• Live jazz entertainment every Wednesday
• They have free wi-fi and a long hallway of books to enjoy on a lazy afternoon

Comments:

• At the end of our meal, the waitstaff handed us a dining survey to fill out and when we handed it back to him, he proceeded to not only look at our responses, he also questioned us on each point that did not receive a high score.  I think it’s great when restaurants care about customer feedback, but not great for the customer when they are grilled about their responses on the spot.  Awkward.
• A great venue during Beijing’s warmer months, but also cozy during the winter as the rooftop is covered.

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

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 8
• Service: 5
• Overall Experience: 7
  

LumDimSaying: by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“What lies behind us and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

LumDimSummary: Rotaract Food Drive 2010

On Saturday, November 27, Rotaract Beijing organized a food drive together with four Carrefour shopping marts to collect both food and donations from shoppers to be delivered that same day to Guang Ai Orphanage to help them get through these coming harsh winter months.

LumDimSummary of Rotaract Food Drive 2010:

Result: “The kids at the orphanage went crazy when the vans arrived.”  – Kevin Lee (key organizer of Rotaract Club Food Drive)

LumDimSum Photo Gallery:

About Rotaract Club:

Rotaract Beijing collaborates with existing volunteer organizations in order to provide the community easy access to a variety of ongoing volunteer opportunities, with the added benefits of professional development and networking.

Previous events include everything from clothing drives to a Christmas Charity Bazaar, soup kitchen and speed dating.