Sensational Sadler Lunch Special

Posted: March 10th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Chef Riccardo, Claudio Sadler, Gian Luca Fusetto, Italian food, Sadler Ristorante, Set Lunch Meal, tiramisu | No Comments »

Founded by two Michelin starred chef Claudio Sadler, Sadler Ristorante is widely known in Beijing as the most decadent, sophisticated restaurant for high-end Italian cuisine.  Using only the freshest ingredients, Italian olive oil, super fresh seafood and home-made pasta and pizza every meal here is a beautiful dining experience.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Sadler Ristorante:

Reception & Lounge Area:

Main Dining Area:

Having recently started regular Italian Sunday Brunches with a new menu every week (click here for Sadler’s Sunday Brunch Review), Sadler has now introduced an even better (and more affordable) quick lunch deal the other days of the week (Mondays-Saturdays from 11:30AM-2:30PM).

Similar to their Sunday brunch, Sadler’s Lunch Special also includes a cold buffet antipasti (RMB 118 per person) inclusive of Italian cured meats (salame and Mortadella), mixed salads (Caprese and mixed greens), assorted breads (focaccia and mini pizzas), and of course a selection of desserts (panna cotta in 2 flavors, rum baba and chocolate cake).

LumDimSum Snapshots of Sadler’s Lunch Buffet:

Italian Cured Meats (Salame & Mortadella)

Mixed Greens Salad with AMAZING Italian olive oil and vinaigrette dressing (ingredients here)

Caprese Salad & Deviled Eggs

Dessert Selection (Chocolate Cake, Rum Baba, Mango & Raspberry Panna Cotta)

Highlights of the buffet was the salami, mixed green salad with Italian olive oil vinaigrette and their deviled eggs.

Should you crave more than what’s spread across the buffet table, Sadler also offers a selection of sensational main courses (RMB 168 for buffet + one main course).  From homemade pasta and pizza to braised veal cheek and fresh seafood soup with croutons, each dish is irresistibly delicious and undeniable (even though the buffet spread would be sufficient for a light lunch).

I tried each of the main courses on the menu and was a huge fan of their spaghetti seafood carbonara.  The blend of flavors, light sauce and fresh seafood was a miraculous concoction. The Potato Foam on top of the very tender veal cheek was also memorable.  The pizza is not offered on their a la carte menu regularly as I suppose pizzas are not so “fine dining”, but everything from the crust to the light sauce of Sadler’s pizza is remarkable (and it’s massive for one person)!

LumDimSum Snapshots of Sadler’s Main Course Selection:

Fresh Seafood Soup with Croutons & Spaghetti Seafood Carbonara Style

Braised Veal Cheek Served with Potato Foam

Pizza Margherita: Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella and Arugula

And if it’s possible that you saved any room for more dessert, for an extra RMB 30, you can have Beijing’s Best Tiramisu – Sadler’s Signature Tiramisu by Chef Riccardo. A simple dessert, yet done to perfection.  Their secret?  Sadler’s GM, Gian Luca Fusetto explains that “you need the right balance of texture and flavors. There is a hint of chocolate, coffee and alcohol, but it’s important that each of these ingredients never overwhelm the others.” It is this level of precision that makes this dessert perfect.

Sadler’s Signature Tiramisu

Review of Ristorante Sadler’s Set Lunch Special: Located within Ch’ien Men 23, neighboring Maison Boulud, Ch’ienmen 23, 23 Qianmen Dong Da Jie,前门东大街23 Tel: 6559-1399

Best Part:

• A bright and contemporary venue for a very classy, upscale lunch at an affordable price (as low as RMB 118 per person)
• With menu created by Claudio Sadler, a celebrity two-Michelin star chef from Milan, you can expect nothing less of very refined and quality Italian cuisine.
• Best tiramisu in Beijing – perfect balance of creamy texture and coffee, alcohol and chocolate flavors. It’s  really the best I’ve tried.
• Homemade pastas and fresh seafood are top-notch.
• Sadler’s pizza is only available during lunch and it’s perfect for sharing as it’s quite large for one!
• GM Gian Luca Fusetto is both professional and hospitable. He is very knowledgeable and introducing each dish’s ingredients and how it is prepared just adds to a more meaningful dining experience.

Comments:

• Even though the venue is stunning and the food is fantastic, there were only 2 other tables in the restaurant which felt a bit empty. Then again, I did go on a Saturday at noon and the location is not exactly convenient if you live closer to the CBD.
• When you can easily find set lunch deals all around Beijing for an average of RMB 50, it’s hard to justify paying RMB 118-198 per person on a meal (inclusive of meal, buffet and tiramisu dessert.) but if you have someone you’d like to impress or if you’re in the mood to splurge, Sadler’s lunch is a wonderful option and worth every extra renminbi.

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

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

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