theBeijinger’s 9th Reader Restaurant Awards: Winners, Runner Ups & LDS Picks Announced!
Posted: March 23rd, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Agua, Ai Mo Town, Alla Osteria, Annie's, Aria, Bao Yuan Dumpling House 宝源饺子屋, Barolo, Biteapitta, Blue Frog, Cafe Zarah, Capital M, Chimay, Chocolate, Comptoirs De France, Crescent Moon, Da Dong, Dali Courtyard, Duck de Chine, Element Fresh, Fairmont Hotel, Flamme, Ganges, Grand Marnier, Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory, Hai Di Lao, Hatsune, Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇, Hilton Beijing, Hoegaarden Beer, Home Plate Bar B-Que, Ignace Lecleir, Jin Ding Xuan, Karaiya Spice House, Kro's Nest, Leffe, Lime Cafe, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Middle 8, Mosto, Nanjing Impressions, Niajo, Obentos 本之味, Punjabi, Pure Lotus, Purple Haze, Restaurant Awards, Saveurs de Corée 韩香馆, Seth Grossman, Sureno, SuSu, Sweet Tooth, Tairyo Teppanyaki, Temple Restaurant Beijing, The Bookworm, The CUT Grill, The Orchard, The Veggie Table, theBeijinger, TRB, Vineyard Cafe, Xian Lao Man 馅老满 | 4 Comments »Family Photo Op at theBeijinger’s 9th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards
On Monday, March 19, 2012, theBeijinger just celebrated its 9th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Beijing.
Taking place from 11:30AM-2PM, the restaurant awards got my week off to a great start with a nice break on my mid-day on Monday with more food, sweets and ice cream I could have hoped for. I was most impressed with the chocolate covered strawberries, chewy cookies and desserts by Sweet Tooth. I’m just thankful I had the self-control to resist drinking from the free flowing beer, wines, cocktails sponsored by Grand Marnier, Chimay, Leffe and Hoegaarden.
Always a grand affair, this year seemed bigger than ever with a very large crowd of both F&B big-heads and die-hard foodies. And it makes sense considering the amount of restaurants that were nominated and the strong readership who submitted ballots (thanks to social media platforms like Weibo, theBeijinger was really successful in reaching a broader audience this year).
“During three weeks of voting, over 5,000 readers and consumers cast ballots in 50 different categories, for over 250 nominated restaurants.”
That’s right- 50 categories and 250 nominated restaurants! I was wondering how they were planning to read through 50 different categories (would be a nightmare to list off so many winners for so many categories) so I was relieved to find that this year, they displayed 30 of the 50 categories in the winding hall into the main event space.
So right off the bat, we were given the winners for the majority of the awards. It was so unexpected to walk into these displays without expecting to see so many announced in advance. Running around to find the categories Hatsune was nominated in, I was beyond stoked to discover Hatsune won Best Japanese for the 8th year in a row and Hatsune also won Best Decor (Hatsune Sanlitun) and Outstanding for Best Business Lunch (Mosto won this one!).
Hatsune Wins Best Japanese Restaurant (8 year running!) Photo of Hatsune’s two restaurant managers
Other Big Winners from the 9th Annual Awards Ceremony Include:
-
Maison Boulud – Winning 7 Awards in total – Best French, Best Service (Non-Chinese), Best Wine List, Best for a Romantic Meal, Outstanding for Impressing Visitors, Outstanding Place for a Celebration and Outstanding for Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)
-
Da Dong – Restaurant of the Year (Chinese), Best for Impressing Visitors (Chinese) , Best Beijing Duck, Outstanding for Best Service (Chinese)
-
Home Plate Bar-B-Que – Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Seth Grossman), Best New Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Best American, Outstanding for Best Value for Money,
-
Nanjing Impressions – Best New Restaurant (Chinese)
-
Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – Outstanding for Best New Restaurant (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Ignace Lecleir), Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Decor
-
Capital M – Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Outdoor Dining, Outstanding for Best Romantic Meal, Best Decor
Biggest Disappointments:
-
Annie’s gets nominated for Best Service? Seriously people? Have you even eaten in the restaurant or are you just getting delivery to your home? If we’re talking about best delivery service, GungHo! pizza wins hands down
-
Tairyo Teppanyaki wins Best Place for Celebration?! I get that their “all-you-can-drink-and-eat deal” may draw you in at first, but the food is such low quality and everything tastes the same! Really surprised by this one.
-
Blue Frog for Best Burger – they hav e a great two-for-one deal on Mondays, but there is definitely better burgers in Beijing
-
Punjabi Indian Restaurant was not even in the running for the Best Indian category, people need to migrate east of Sanlitun!
-
Seems like majority of restaurants that won are all located in the Sanlitun area. Wish some of the more hidden gems got more recognition (ie Ai Mo Town for Best Yunnan)
-
Wish Obentos got recognition in some of the categories they were nominated in! They definitely have the best salads in town in my opinion (much better than Annie’s anyway!)
Overall, it’s very exciting to see a small, little authentic American BBQ spot take over the entire awards ceremony! Beating out big players like Maison Boulud and Hatsune (for Restaurant of the Year) and Temple Restaurant Beijing (for Best New Restaurant), this underdog came out of nowhere and really stole the show!
Congratulations to Home Plate Bar-B-Que!
Home Plate Bar-B-Que Team Wins Big!
Photo courtesy of theBeijinger
Here is List of the 50 Categories’ Winners & Runner-Ups:
BEST AMERICAN
Readers’ Choice
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Blue Frog
Union Bar & Grille
LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que
BEST BEIJING DUCK
Readers’ Choice
Da Dong
Outstanding
Duck de Chine
Quanjude
LDS Vote: Made in China (Grand Hyatt)
BEST BRUNCH (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice
Vineyard Café
Outstanding
Chef Too
Element Fresh
LDS Vote: The Orchard
BEST BURGER
Readers’ Choice
Blue Frog
Outstanding
Fatburger
Let’s Burger Plus
LDS Vote: Maison Boulud
BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Readers’ Choice
Mosto
Outstanding
Alameda
Hatsune
LDS Vote: Hatsune
BEST CAFÉ
Readers’ Choice
The Bookworm
Outstanding
Comptoirs de France
Vineyard Café
LDS Vote: Cafe Zarah
BEST DÉCOR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Lan Club
Outstanding
Duck De Chine (Jinbao Jie location)
Pure Lotus (Changhong Qiao location)
LDS Vote: Duck de Chine (Jinbao Jie)
BEST DÉCOR (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Hatsune (Sanlitun location)
Outstanding
Capital M
Temple Restaurant Beijing
LDS Vote: Capital M
BEST DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
Readers’ Choice
Haidilao
Outstanding
1001 Nights
Chocolate
LDS Vote: Chocolate
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice
Annie’s
Outstanding
Element Fresh
Grandma’s Kitchen
The Orchard
LDS Vote: The Orchard
BEST FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL
Readers’ Choice
Maison Boulud
Outstanding
Capital M
Mosto
LDS Vote: Capital M
BEST FRENCH
Readers’ Choice
Maison Boulud
Outstanding
Brasserie Flo
Café de la Poste
LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)
BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Da Dong
Outstanding
Duck de Chine
Haidilao
LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard
BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Capital M
Outstanding
Maison Boulud
Temple Restaurant Beijing
LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing
BEST ITALIAN-AFFORDABLE
Readers’ Choice
Annie’s
Outstanding
Alio Olio
La Pizza
LDS Vote: Alla Osteria
BEST JAPANESE
Readers’ Choice
Hatsune
Outstanding
Matsuko
Tairyo Teppanyaki
LDS Vote: Hatsune
BEST KOREAN
Readers’ Choice
Saveurs de Coree
Outstanding
Ai Jiang Shan
Han Na Shan
LDS Vote: Saveurs de Coree
BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING
Readers’ Choice
Haidilao
Outstanding
Bellagio
Jin Ding Xuan
LDS Vote: Jin Ding Xuan or my local ch’uar stand
BEST MIDDLE-EASTERN
Readers’ Choice
Biteapitta
Outstanding
1001 Nights
Rumi
LDS Vote: Biteapitta
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Readers’ Choice
Capital M
Outstanding
Blue Frog
Dali Courtyard
LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard
BEST PIZZA
Readers’ Choice
Kro’s Nest
Outstanding
Gung Ho! Pizza
The Tree
LDS Vote: Gung Ho! Pizza
BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION
Readers’ Choice
Tairyo Teppanyaki
Outstanding
Maison Boulud
SALT
LDS Vote: Hatsune
BEST PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice
Chuan Ban (Sichuan Provincial Government Restaurant)
Outstanding
Xinjiang Islam (Xinjiang Provincial Government Restaurant)
Yunteng Shifu (Yunnan Provincial Government Restaurant)
LDS Vote: Chuan Ban
BEST RUSSIAN
Readers’ Choice
Traktirr Pushkin
Outstanding
Chocolate
Elephant
LDS Vote: Chocolate (and all my Russian friends agree!)
BEST SALADS
Readers’ Choice
Element Fresh
Outstanding
Annie’s
Gung Ho! Pizza
LDS Vote: Obentos
BEST SPANISH
Readers’ Choice
Agua
Outstanding
Carmen
Migas
LDS Vote: Niajo
BEST THAI
Readers’ Choice
Purple Haze
Outstanding
Serve the People
Very Siam
LDS Vote: Lime Cafe (Central Park)
BEST VEGETARIAN
Readers’ Choice
Pure Lotus
Outstanding
Biteapitta
The Veggie Table
LDS Vote: Veggie Table
BEST XINJIANG
Readers’ Choice
Crescent Moon
Outstanding
BLCU Muslim Restaurant
Xinjiang Red Rose
LDS Vote: Crescent Moon
BEST YUNNAN
Readers’ Choice
Middle 8th
Outstanding
Dali Courtyard
In & Out
LDS Vote: Aimo Town
BEST DIM SUM
Readers’ Choice
Jin Ding Xuan
Outstanding
Crystal Jade
Lei Garden
LDS Vote: Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇
BEST DUMPLINGS
Readers’ Choice
Bao Yuan Jiaozi
Outstanding
Lao Beijing Jiaozi Guan
Xian Lao Man
LDS Vote: Xian Lao Man
BEST HOTEL BRUNCH
Readers’ Choice
Bubbalicious, Seasonal Tastes, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Outstanding
Aroma, Ritz-Carlton Beijing
Bubbly Sundays, Senses, Westin Beijing Financial Street
LDS Vote: Yi House Brunch in 798
BEST INDIAN/PAKISTANI
Readers’ Choice
Ganges
Outstanding
Indian Kitchen
Taj Pavilion
LDS Vote: Punjabi
BEST BREAD
Readers’ Choice
Comptoirs de France
Outstanding
Kempi Deli, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
South German Bakery
LDS Vote: South German Bakery
BEST VIETNAMESE
Readers’ Choice
Susu
Outstanding
Le Little Saigon
Muse Parisian Vietnamese Brasserie
LDS Vote: Susu
BEST WINE LIST
Readers’ Choice
Maison Boulud
Outstanding
Aria, China World Hotel
Enoterra
LDS Vote: Aria, China World Hotel
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Readers’ Choice
Annie’s
Outstanding
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
SALT
LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que
BEST STEAK (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice
Flamme International Grill
Outstanding
Chef Too
SALT
LDS Vote: Mosto
BEST STEAK (HOTEL)
Readers’ Choice
CRU Steakhouse, JW Marriott Beijing
Outstanding
Grange Grill, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
The Cut, Fairmont Beijing
LDS Vote: The Cut (Fairmont)
BEST SANDWICHES
Readers’ Choice
Element Fresh
Outstanding
Bocata
Comptoirs de France
LDS Vote: Home Plate’s Pulled Pork Sandwich
BEST ITALIAN – HIGH END
Readers’ Choice
Sureno, Opposite House
Outstanding
Cepe, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street
Tavola Italian Dining
LDS Vote: Barolo, Ritz Carlton
BEST MEXICAN/TEX-MEX
Readers’ Choice
Luga’s Villa (tie)
Peter’s Tex-Mex (tie)
Outstanding
The Saddle Cantina
LDS Vote: None, there is no good Mexican food in Beijing that I know of! But I heard Avocado Tree is good, but it’s in WDK. I can’t wait for the Hutong Taco Bar to open up soon this summer (see here for details).
RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Readers’ Choice
Seth Grossman, Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Alan Wong, Hatsune/Kagen
Ignace Lecleir, Temple Restaurant Beijing
LDS Vote: I’m biased, but my vote goes to Alan Wong of the Hatsune Restaurant Group
BEST SERVICE (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Haidilao
Outstanding
Da Dong
Din Tai Fung
LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House
BEST SERVICE (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Maison Boulud
Outstanding
Annie’s
SALT
LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – anywhere Ignace Lecleir is will be Beijing’s best serviced restaurant
NEW RESTAURANT (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Susu
Temple Restaurant Beijing
LDS Vote: The Vine Leaf. Of the restaurants that were nominated, I’m a big fan of TRB, Home Plate, Susu and Obentos, but as they are all new restaurants, I think the only one that’s really ironed out its kinked and have the highest performance success is the Vine Leaf. Each and every dish on the menu is made with so much thought and care, Will Yorke has managed to defy the odds and show Beijingers that English food can be phenomenal!
NEW RESTAURANT (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Nanjing Impression
Outstanding
Green Bites To Go Dumpling Bar
IFW, Park Hyatt Beijing
LDS Vote: New Duck de Chine in Jinbao Jie
BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice
Da Dong
Outstanding
Din Tai Fung
Duck de Chine
LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House
BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (NON-CHINESE)
Reader’s Choice
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Hatsune
Maison Boulud
LDS Vote: Hatsune
Full List of Winners can be viewed on theBeijinger’s blog page here and here.
See analysis and comparison between theBeijinger’s Annual Reader Restaurant Awards vs. DianPing.com here.
Beijing’s Best F&B Personalities (from L to R):
Alan Wong (Hatsune), Seth Grossman (Home Plate Bar-B-Que), Ignace Lecleir (Temple Restaurant Beijing)
Photo courtesy of theBeijinger
*You can check out more photos from the awards ceremony on theBeijinger’s Photo Gallery.
[…] should note that Alan Wong just won the Outstanding award for theBeijinger’s Best Personality Award in this year’s 2012 Reader Restaurant Awards, so you’re guaranteed to have a blast at […]
[…] To give you a bit of background, Alan is the brains and heart behind the entire Hatsune restaurant concept and it’s award-winning menu with our legendary California-style sushi rolls. He also happens to be responsible for the design of Hatsune Sanlitun Village Branch (which most recently won Best Restaurant Decor in theBeijinger’s 2012 Reader Restaurant Awards). […]
[…] month saw theBeijinger’s 9th annual Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards results which took everyone by surprise with underdog Home Plate Bar-B-Que beating out industry […]
[…] Designed by Alan Wong, founder of the Hatsune Restaurant Group in Beijing, the space is stunning. It is unique in its own right, but with the high ceilings and perfect lighting illuminating a soft glow throughout the dining area, it bears the same trademark of Alan’s other restaurants, especially the Hatsune Sanlitun Branch which won “Best Decor” in this year’s Beijinger’s 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. […]