Pink Day 2012: Help Fundraise More for Breast Cancer

Beijing’s First-Ever Pink Day 2012 Launch in Central Park

This past Sunday, May 20th saw Beijing’s first Pink Day, a fun food and activities fair dedicated to Breast Cancer Prevention with all funds raised to support the China Breast Cancer Foundation‘s various projects and impoverished mothers with breast cancer.

Hosted by the China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and Savills Property Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd Central Park Branch Company, the event featured a wide host of generous vendors (hotels, restaurants, spas and wellness groups) selling great products to do their part in this fundraising campaign.

Food & Activity Stalls Galore at Pink Day 2012 in Central Park

From GungHo! Pizza to Lollipop Bakery’s delicious cupcakes, a jewelry stall, a Merry-Go-Round for kids and a Mashup Sports & Social Toss-Up for those with good aim, there was something for everyone of all ages and interests at Beijing’s first-ever Pink Day.

Friendly Smiles and Generous Donors at Pink Day 2012

The fair also featured a Breast Cancer Screening Mobile Center for FREE Breast Cancer Screenings (only 15 minutes per person for free screening) made available onsite at Pink Day with doctors from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital who gave on-site consultations.

FREE Breast Cancer Screening Mobile Center at Pink Day 2012

They had a goal of RMB 100,000 and after a fun-filled day of food and activities outdoors in Central Park, they raised RMB 94,000. Just RMB 6,000 shy of reaching their goal, May Cheng, owner of Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat has put out the request for extra donations to help them reach their goal.

“I would like to ask if you happen to be in Central Park, do drop your pocket change as a small donation into the Donation Box which can be found in our Spa.  I would then turn in the box to Savills Property Management to submit it to China Breast Cancer Foundation. Or if you wish to donate a larger sum, please proceed to Savills Management Office at Tower 3 or get in touch with Diana To (diana.to@savills.com.cn) and they should be able to assist in getting an official receipt for tax relief purposes.”

- May Cheng, Owner of Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat and Pink Day 2012 Organizer/Volunteer

For all the women you care about, please do your part and join in the fight against breast cancer by simply donating as little or as much as you can! The donation box will be available until the end of this week so hurry and act now!

To get you all a little more inspired, check out snapshots of all the volunteers, generous donors and people who came out to join in Pink Day 2012 all-day festivities.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Pink Day 2012:

Friends of Pink Day / Peace for Humanity Joins Fight for Breast Cancer

Secret Mustard Recipe Mrs. Dupps Makes Debut at Pink Day 2012

Mashup Sport & Social Hosts Fundraising Games for Pink Day

Bouncy Castle / Food Stalls at Pink Day

Jia Hau Jewelry / Lollipop Bakery Cupcakes

Fairmont Sells Giant Cookies, Brownies & Sandwiches to Fundraise for Pink Day

Pink Day Hosts: China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) & Savills Property Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd Central Park Branch Company

Painting T-Shirts to Tossing Basketballs: Fun Activities for Kids

Entertainment for Kids / Raising Awareness / Breast Cancer Survivors Performance

LumDimSum & May Cheng (owner of Hummingbird Spa) Proudly Holding Donation Box

About China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)

The China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) under China Social Work Association is a not-for-profit organization established in January 2008 with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. Mr. Xu Ruixin, the primary vice minister of Civil Affairs of China, is the director-general of CBCF. Dr. Xu Guangwei, a well-known cancer expert and director-general of the Chinese Cancer Prevention Association, is the vice director-general of CBCF.

The mission of CBCF is to mobilize social resources to raise public awareness and knowledge about breast cancer, fund research and development in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and promote early diagnosis and early treatment techniques for breast cancer in medical organizations.

For more info, click here for CBCF’s official website. 

Beijing’s first Pink Day 2012 raises RMB 94,000!

Help them reach their goal of RMB 100,000 by Donating a Little Cash

Post-Great Wall Half Marathon Celebration at TRB

China’s Annual Great Wall Marathon Run 2012 (Photo by Sarah Keenlyside)

After pushing myself to the limit, killing myself running the Great Wall Half Marathon this past Saturday, May 19th, I was in dire need of a few very critical things (and in this consecutive order): 1. Shower 2. Massage 3. Second Shower 4. Nap 5. A well-deserved celebration with 6. plenty of cocktails to cure my post-marathon pain.

As competitive as I can be, I wasn’t running for myself.  I ran the half marathon in place of Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)’s General Manager Ignace Lecleir to fundraise for Prevention Through Education (PTE), a 501 (c)3 nonprofit founded specifically to address the lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS in China.

This was my first-ever attempt at running a long-distance race and climbing up and down the Great Wall across 21km/13 miles was a no mean feat for me. But after exactly 2 hours and 47 minutes, I crossed the finish line barely resisting the urge to faint, vomit and pee my pants all at the same time.

The best part: The announcer broadcasting “Ignace Lecleir from Belgium” as a little Chinese girl (me!) runs across the finish line to collect my Great Wall Half Marathon Medal of Honor.

After crossing the FINISH line of the Great Wall Half Marathon (Photo by Tom Pattinson)

After completing my first couple priorities (shower, massage, second shower and nap), I was ready to get all dolled up for my post-Great Wall Half Marathon celebration with dear friends and fellow foodies at TRB – where else?!

Turning up early, I made friends with TRB’s expert mixologist Frankie Zou who introduced their new drink menu, secret housemade bitters and house-infused spirits with local Chinese herbs and ingredients like Ginseng, dates, pomelo and even a black truffle infused cachaca. So impressive.

After Frankie patiently listened to me rant about my half marathon run, he knew just the potion to cure my post-marathon pain: a cocktail concoction with ginseng, ginger, egg white and a few other secret ingredients that mixed together into one of the best cocktails I’ve ever been served.  Hats off to this brilliant bartender!

Expert Mixologist Frankie at TRB creates a killer custom cocktail to cure my post-marathon pain

TRB’s Table Centerpiece

Sitting down at our table, Ignace Lecleir helped us to both select an appropriate wine for our dinner and he personally served us out of the most elaborate wine decanter I’ve ever seen.

TRB’s Ignace Lecleir pours decanted wine out of a crazy long spout

A party of five, we ordered a mix of both TRB’s 3-course tasting menu (RMB 258) and must-try dishes a la carte as well. Hungry foodies can also choose from a 4 or 5-course TRB tasting menu at respectively RMB 358 and RMB 428 per person.

While we all chose our own dishes, we ended up sharing and tasting our way through all the dishes each of us ordered.  After living in China for so many years, it’s hard to imagine a time when we all used to just eat whatever we ordered and not pick off of everyone else’s plates.

LumDimSum Breakdown of Dishes at TRB:

Amuse Bouche

Starters:

King Crab & Avocado Salad with Citrus Dressing (Part of TRB’s Tasting Menu)

Cep and Truffle Velouté (RMB 110)

Foie Gras, Lobster and Sea Lettuce au Torchon with light Lobster, Truffle Mayonnaise Salad (RMB 138)

TRB’s Boobie Bread Buns

I really have no idea what’s the deal with TRB’s boobie bread. Only two buns were served to our table and they came out exactly as photographed above. We found it hilarious and totally random and naturally, we were curious to hear more about them. When pointing out the uncanny resemblance of boobies to his bread buns, I really couldn’t get a straight answer out of Ignace as he totally played dumb to the blatant and very indiscreet play with food.

King Crab & Fine Herb Raviolis with Celeriac Puree, Brown Butter (RMB 110)

Despite the small portions of these starter dishes, we were all very satisfied with each of these dishes. The Cep & Truffle Velouté was rich and creamy and the irresistible, strong truffle fragrance filled our table from the start. The King Crab and Avocado Salad and King Crab Raviolis were also equally as delicious and fragrant. But the winner of this starter selection is definitely the Foie Gras and Lobster au Torchon, a genius creation combining two delicacies for a perfect dish that is bound to impress the most discerning of palates.

Mains:

Braised Short Rib of Angus Beef, Spinach, Olive and Roasted Garlic Crushed Potatoes (RMB 195)

Roasted Monkfish with Pimentos, Clams Gnocchi (RMB 195)

Roasted Young Pigeon with Smoked Ventreche, Cauliflower Puree, Shallot Confit and Port Wine Jus (RMB 188)

Lamb Navarin with Spring Vegetable and Pomme Fondant (RMB 260)

I was happiest with my order of the very tender and succulent Braised Short Ribs, but I very much liked the Pigeon as well. Each dish was cooked to perfection and it seemed like our entire dinner conversation was based around all of us taking turns to rave about how good the dishes were and ceaseless praise for both the service and of Ignace’s perfect hospitality.

I very much admire and respect Ignace’s ability to make each of his guests feel so special and welcome and his unique style in working his way across each and every table throughout the evening in his very courteous, personable and professional manner is a gift.

As I’ve said before in my first review of TRB: “The service was among the best I’ve experienced in Beijing.  It was so impressive to see each course served simultaneously with our party of 8. I would even dare say the service is better than Maison Boulud.  But I wouldn’t expect anything less from Ignace Lecleire as he is the man when it comes to flawless service and professional hospitality. It’s refreshing to be served like royalty as I’ve become so jaded to horrendous service experiences living in Beijing.”

Desserts:

Passion Fruit and White Chocolate Cheesecake

Caramel Mousse, Coffee Panacotta and Hazelnuts

Warm Chocolate Fondant with Brown Rice Ice Cream

Most of us who ordered from the Tasting Menu chose the Passionfruit and White Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert, but my Warm Chocolate Fondant was the overall favorite.  It was a more generous portion and you’d be mad to try and resist gooey, melted chocolate and ice cream.

Post-Dinner Drinks by Frankie Zou:

A Table of Happy Humpty Dumpties at TRB:

Stylish Swedes in TRB (yes, that’s a candy&caviar shirt on the left!)

After dinner and drinks, TRB gave us a personal tour of its outside courtyard and compound of private dining rooms and event spaces.

A Perfect Post-Great Wall Half Marathon Celebration

Previous Reviews of Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB):

• Two Thumbs Up: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

• CFFC Napa Wine Dinner at TRB and Fairmont After Party

TRB Contact Details:

• Address: #23, Shatan Beijie, off WuSi DaJie, Dongcheng District. Beijing. 100009 東城區五四大街以北，沙滩北街23号

• Tel: 8400 2232

  

An Evening with Great Wall Historian William Lindesay

The “Wild Wall” by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

After running the Great Wall Half Marathon yesterday, I’ve since developed a deeper appreciation of the Great Wall as not only as a monster monument and a thing of beauty but its significance in China’s ancient history and its deeply rooted role in Chinese culture.

As one of Bespoke Beijing‘s expert guides (for the Great Wall of course!), I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Great Wall Historian William Lindesay and I am very much looking forward to meeting him at Wild China’s “Where the Wild Things are” event on Thursday, May 31 at 6:30PM at the Great Leap Brewing.

William Lindesay is one of those extremely passionate people who focuses their energy and efforts into one devoted subject and kicks everyone else out of the ballpark in terms of expertise, knowledge and experience.

Back in 1987, this guy hiked 2,470km alone on foot along the route of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall between Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan, a journey that took him 78 days and eventually his solo adventure resulted in a published book “Alone on the Great Wall”.  This was only the beginnings of his research, explorations and devotion to the preservation and discovery of the Great Wall of China.

In 2006, he was awarded the rank of O.B.E. (Officer, Order of the British Empire) for his international conservation of the Great Wall of China issued by H. M. the Queen Elizabeth II.

This guy is the real deal.

William Lindesay together with his beloved Great Wall

He even has a Great Wall term, “Wild Wall”, credited to his name.

“The term ‘Wild Wall’, coined by William, has been absorbed into the Chinese language to describe the ruins.” – Article by the British Embassy in Beijing

‘Wild Wall’ refers to the wilderness of the Great Wall of China, unrestored and therefore ramparts in ruins, often overgrown in the mountain areas, thus retaining authentic antiquarian and wilderness atmosphere. – [f. William Lindesay, Brit, Geographer and Great Wall Researcher, first coined 1990]

William Lindesay coined the term “Wild Wall” in 1990

This Wild China event will be RMB 250 per person which includes an intimate evening with William Lindesay along with two craft beers by Great Leap Brewing and dinner provided by Mercante, a recently opened Italian restaurant in the Gulou area. Tickets can be purchased on Yoopay here.

“Picture yourself relaxing on a balmy summer night, surrounded by interesting people, fantastic food, and locally-brewed beer with William Lindesay, one of China’s foremost experts of the Great Wall, who will discuss his recent discovery of a new portion of the Wall in Mongolia.” - Wild China Team

The Great Wall of China by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

Just last year, William Lindesay led an expedition into the Gobi dessert in search of a previously uncharted part of the Great Wall in the deserts of Mongolia. From carbon testing, Lindesay believed the “wall may have been rebuilt either by Genghis Khan’s third son, Ogedei Khan, to stop gazelles migrating into China, or by the Western Xia dynasty, which was obliterated by Genghis Khan’s armies.”  - Malcolm Moore, Article by The Telegraph

The last event brought Hollywood film producer Janet Yang who introduced her most recent film “Shanghai Calling” at In & Out Yunnan restaurant.  Click here for an LDS summary of Wild China’s hosted dinner party with Janet Yang.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 31, 2012

• Time: 6:30PM-9:30PM

• Tickets: RMB 250 per person

• Online Ticket Purchase: Yoopay website

• Location: Great Leap Brewing

• Address: 6 Duojiao Hutong, off of Dianmenwai Dajie 东城区豆角胡同6号院

• Website: Click here.

• Contact: wherethewildthingsare@wildchina.com

The Great Wall of China by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

Best of Shanghai Dining: 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Dining in the glitzy, glamorous 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

I spent last weekend with the entourage in Shanghai for Hatsune Restaurant Owner, Alan Wong’s big birthday weekend and I gotta say, when it’s Alan’s birthday, you can’t help feeling like it’s your birthday too.

Any trip with Alan automatically implies an over-abundance of super fancy meals, more fine wine and champagne than an average person will consume in a year and non-stop action. Even with a newborn baby (literally three weeks old), he hasn’t slowed down his fast-paced, action-packed lifestyle one bit.

Whenever I hang out with Alan for more than 3 days, it’s pretty much guaranteed I’ll gain 5 kilos and that’s just due to the exorbitant amount of food we consume while traveling.  If there is anyone who appreciates and enjoys good food more than me, it’s Alan. Doesn’t matter if it’s street food or in a Michelin-star restaurant, he’s all over it like a kid in a candy store. I should actually credit Alan for the foodie I’ve become since he’s taken me under his wing and introduced me to the world of fine dining and wine, treating me to the best meals of my life (L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Tokyo and countless Michelin-starred restaurants we make a point to visit wherever we are in the world).

For one of his birthday dinners (yes, there were consecutive birthday celebrations across several meals), we all dined at the newly opened 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, which just opened in Shanghai February 2012 and is also a 3-Michelin star rated restaurant in Hong Kong.  It is one of only five restaurants with three Michelin stars in Hong Kong and is the only Italian restaurant outside Italy to win three Michelin stars. A strange (and very long) name, this restaurant is a tribute to Bombana’s favorite Italian film director Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical movie “8 ½”,  and Bombana obviously comes from his own name, Chef Umberto Bombana.

“Like Fellini’s movie, it is destined to be an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to go on the maestro’s artistic journey with him.” - 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Alan is mad about the Hong Kong branch, so introducing us all to the newly opened Shanghai branch was a real treat, especially since we are all good friends with the Restaurant GM Gian Luca Fusetto, who used to manage the fine dining Italian restaurant Ristorante Sadler in Ch’ien Men 23 (just neighboring award-winning, fine dining French restaurant Maison Boulud). We are all well acquainted with Gian Luca and his team at Sadler as this is where Alan and his lovely wife Hannah celebrated their wedding ceremony (which I planned) back in 2009.

I’m sure the service would have been top-notch regardless of our personal relationship with Gian Luca, but having him look after us really made us feel right at home.  He booked our group into their biggest private dining room, a room entirely dedicated to Panarei (how baller is that?) and he arranged a special set dinner menu with wine pairing for each course.

And I was more than ecstatic that he gave me free-reign to go camera-crazy in his fancy-pantsy restaurant where I’d normally be way too intimated to even take my camera out of its case. It would be impossible for anyone not to want a tour of this stunningly beautiful venue and I was very fortunate to wander around as I pleased.

Before I get into our fabulous meal at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, let me first take you on a tour of the space.  The lay-out is quite odd as it’s very angular with sharp corners and segregated spaces, but the opulent design and perfect lighting is spectacular and I want to emphasize the less tangible strengths of what makes 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, the new kid on the block, already the hottest new restaurant in Shanghai.

Just stepping foot inside, you can practically taste the success of this dining establishment. Everyone is dressed to the nines and everyone wants to be seen here and it’s easy to see why.  It’s not pretend, this is the real deal. Everyone is as personable as they are professional and everything from the ambiance to the service is smooth as silk and they make it look so easy and natural.

This restaurant is so baller, people are forking over the big bucks for the temporary high they feel while you’re their guest.  It’s like walking in and out of a dream. It’s addicting and undeniably irresistible.

LumDimSum Snapshots of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana:

Ageing Room for World Class Ham & Cheeses

General Manager and Sommelier Extraordinaire Gian Luca Fusetto is responsible for selecting 450 unique etiquettes from all around the world (Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, South Africa, Lebanon, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Chile, Argentina and China).

Cocktail Bar with Unique Drinks Created by Mixologists Dario Gentile and Giancarlo Mancino

Main Dining Room of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

One of 4 Private Dining Rooms, this one is dedicated to Panerai (Our Private Room)

Wine Pairing Menu Prepared by Gian Luca Fusetto

6-course Birthday Dinner Menu

From the complimentary bread basket to the deconstructed Tiramisu and homemade petit fours, this dinner was refined from start to finish. Get ready for a LumDimSum breakdown of each of these impressive courses. 

LumDimSum Snapshots of Dishes by 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana:

Brilliant Bread Basket

(Mini baguettes, focaccia bread with sun-dried tomatoes, walnut bread and our favorite was bread with chunks of fresh olives)

As a general rule, you should never fill up on bread. It’s a major rookie mistake and poor strategy if you want to save enough stomach room to still savor your final dessert course, which is often my favorite part of the meal. I’m normally pretty good at engaging enough self-control to resist empty bread filler, but this bread basket was irresistible. They had bread with actual chunks of olives and focaccia bread with sun-dried tomatoes! Needless to say, I ate my way through every single bread variety in the basket selection but thanks to my bottomless pit of a stomach, I still ate (and enjoyed) every last bite of the rest of my meal.

Amuse Bouche – Like a Caprese salad with tomatos and Mozzarella Cheese

You can’t complain about a restaurant’s amuse bouche because it’s 1. free and 2. changes daily. I guess I can only say that I came on a different day to enjoy a more unique amuse bouche. There was nothing wrong with this dish – organic fresh Caprese salad with tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese and rocket salad was lovely, but it certainly wasn’t anything new or very impressive to my taste palate.

Simon Martin Jamon “Iberico de Bellota” – arguably the Best Ham in the World

There is hardly a meal with Alan where there isn’t finely cured meat served and as this was his birthday, we got the best of the best – Iberico de Bellota, the highest grade of Iberico ham in the world. I particularly like the way Sugared&Spiced describes the undeniable value of this particular ham -

“Now we all know that Iberico ham is a priced treasure, but “Iberico de Bellota” is yet on another level of its own – it is the king of Ibericos. The pigs are fed on a diet of acorns and aged for at least 30 months before being released, and the particular ham we had was aged for 36 months, thus earning its “gran reserva” label. The result? Varying shades of red gorgeously marbled with natural fats, and a delicate consistency bursting with the richest, most extraordinary flavor.” – Sugared&Spiced in her Review of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Warm Scallops with Garden Vegetables & Black Olives

Scallops are hands-down my favorite shellfish and although 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana perfectly seared these scallops, I wished it wasn’t served in a pool of bright yellow mayonnaise which made the dish too rich. The mayonnaise was over-powering and I’m not too sure what was going on with the “garden vegetables”. It was adorable in presentation, but I’m not convinced the taste was a complement to the delicate scallop, which is the main attraction afterall.

Tagliolini Alle “Vongole” – Fresh Clams, Celery & Cherry Tomatoes

It’s amazing how something so simple can be so good. All pastas are made in house and this basic little pasta dish is explosive. There is no way this dish could have been made better and I challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to try to prove me wrong. Free dinner at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana on me if you can show me a better Tagliolini Alle “Vongole”. (Who doesn’t love a good cook-off?)

New Zealand Ora King Salmon – Slow Poached with Parsnip Puree, Tomatoes and Basil Sauce

This slow poached New Zealand Ora King Salmon was my favorite dish of the dinner. Every bite literally melted in my mouth and if I had the power to immortalize special moments in my life that I could relive on repeat, this King Salmon would make that list.

Tajima Short Ribs & Beef Tenderloin  - Plum Red Wine Sauce, Whipped Potato

By this point, I was struggling. I was so stuffed with wine, fine food and let’s not forget that stupid bread basket I couldn’t stop stuffing my face with (Correction: the bread basket was not stupid, I am to blame for my own stupidity for not having a stronger will to say no to more bread).

That being said, this dish was amazing, magnificent, awesome, delicious – every positive adjective that exists in the English language can be appropriately used to describe this dish. The plum red wine sauce drizzled over the tender Tajima Short Ribs & Beef Tenderloin was ideal to dunk into my potato puree.

Honeymelon Fruit & Sorbet

Something light and refreshing to cleanse our palate to prepare for the forthcoming onslaught of delectable desserts.

Deconstructed Tiramisu Dessert

Strong flavors for tiramisu fanatics, this deconstructed tiramisu is made with lady fingers marinated in marsala wine.  Such beautiful presentation is difficult to destroy and mash up for the appropriate combination of a perfect tiramisu bite.

Chef’s Homemade Petit Fours

Oh, the famous little golden eggs. Gooey, like jelly, with a liquid filling, this little dessert is for adventurous foodies with a sweet tooth who are comfortable with strange textures and consistencies. I also managed to eat one strawberry macaroon which was extraordinary, but I stopped myself at that. Couldn’t manage another bite of the other two homemade petit fours.

Surprise Birthday Cake for Alan Wong Courtesy of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Just when we thought it was all over, Gian Luca, Executive Chef Alan Yu and his talented team at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana come with a surprise birthday cake for Alan-san! So unexpected and very much appreciated by all of us for the thoughtful gesture.

Happy Birthday Alan-san!

Birthday Boy Alan Wong (middle) with Executive Chef Alan Yu (left) and Italian GM and Sommelier Extraordinaire Gian Luca Fusetto (right)

Hatsune Restaurant Group Owner Alan Wong (Right) with Crazy Talented Vocalist and Musician Greg Luttrell (Invited Band at the House of Blues and Jazz) (Left)

Review of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana: Rockbund, Associate Mission Building, 6-7/F, 169 Yuanmingyuan Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu 圆明园路169号6－7楼, 近北京东路, Tel: 6087 2890, Open Daily for Dinner 6PM-midnight, Bar is open 4PM-late

Best Part:

• This is the real deal. Their Hong Kong branch was awarded 3-Michelin stars last year (the only Italian restaurant outside of Italy to get 3 stars) and this is about as good as it gets in mainland China. I’d really be surprised to hear any negative criticisms of their food or service as it was all on-point. 
• The opulent design of the restaurant and perfect lighting is stunning. A perfect place for a special occasion, to impress a hot date or important business meeting with some Big Kahunas. 
• Their impressive wine cellar has 450 unique etiquettes from all around the world (Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, South Africa, Lebanon, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Chile, Argentina and China).
  
• Their cocktail bar opens a bit earlier than the restaurant (4PM instead of 6PM) and showcases some brilliant cocktail concoctions by talented bar mixologists. 
• GM & Sommelier Gian Luca is a wonderful host and really went above and beyond the call of duty to make Alan’s birthday dinner special for all of us. The wines he personally paired for our dinner was perfectly matched with the food we were served and the surprise birthday cake at the end was totally unexpected and incredibly thoughtful.  The fact that Executive Chef Alan Yu also came out to meet all of us was an honor.  Big points to their team for leaving us all with a wonderful lasting impression of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana. 

Comments:

• This is glitzy, trendy, fancy and a place people are dressed to the nines and want to see and be seen. Unfortunately, this also implies that this is not a low-key place to be discreet or private (in spite of their 4 total private rooms) 
• It’s location has the advantage of showing off some great views of the Rockbund. It was a bit chilly and windy the night we dined at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, but I bet their terrace and balcony tables will be popular during the warmer summer months. 
• It’s only been open a few months and there is already a two week back-log of reservations. This is not a place you can casually waltz into without a reservation and expect to be seated. This is a pre-planned, special occasion destination that needs to be booked well in advance. 
• Let’s talk price tags: Price for dinner without wine starts at RMB 600 with appetizers running RMB 110-190, pastas from RMB 90-190, mains from RMB 250-390. A five-course degustation is available for RMB688 or RMB1288 with wine pairings. 
• From the few people I know who have had the privilege to dine at both 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana branches in Hong Kong and Shanghai, I have heard from all that as much as they enjoyed their dining experience at the Shanghai branch, they prefer the original in Hong Kong. As the film industry perpetually fails to contradict, the sequel rarely can outshine the original. 

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

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

A Perfect Evening thanks to Gian Luca, Executive Chef Alan Yu and the Team of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Remember Punk: Closing Party Saturday, May 19

Time to say Farewell to Punk

For the past year, Punk Club (located in the underground basement of The Opposite House) has been the club I most often frequent, the home of my favorite dance parties and my favorite resident DJ, dear friend and fellow foodie extraordinaire,  DJ Saul D.

After 4 strong years, Punk is saying farewell in style, throwing a final hurrah this Saturday, May 19 for a delirious dance party by resident DJ Saul D who will no doubt be spinning the dance floor into a zombie disco dance frenzy.

“It’s sad, but true. PUNK is closing. Stop by to say hi and goodbye. I will miss playing for you guys but all good things must come to and end. See you Saturday night.” – DJ Saul D

Let’s dance to all the good times we’ve had at Punk 

A classy, chic club with a whole lot of edge and personality, Punk is known as “a sanctuary of cool” and “where luxury goes underground”. It’s heartbreaking to see such a stand-out bar/club like Punk leave Beijing’s nightlife scene, but word on the street is that the space will be renovated into “something yummy”.

With Sureño and Bei just next door, it will be interesting to see what The Opposite House will decide to bring in as Punk’s replacement.

Punk will be replaced by “something yummy”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 10PM-late

• Location: Punk

• Address: B1 floor of The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Road, 三里屯11号

Enoterra Turns 5: Birthday Wine & Tapas Carnival

Need I say more?

Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant is one of the best places in Beijing to enjoy quality, affordable wines. That is something worth raising your glass for!

Celebrate the past 5 years of success together with Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant with unlimited tapas and wine for only RMB 200 per person, a ridiculously good deal for all-you-can-drink wine and tapas all night.

I have no doubt the place will be a madhouse more than a birthday carnival with a deal like this.

I just hope for Enoterra’s sake that everyone and their mom won’t be taking advantage of this “too good to be true” promise…!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, May 18, 2012

• Time: 6PM-late

• Location: Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant

• Address: D405, Nali Huayuan, 81 Sanlitun Beilu,

  三里屯北路81号那里花园D405

• Tel: 5208-6076

• Contact:  info@enoterra.net

C!Talk’s You & Me: Culture Jam for Dandelion School

“C!Talk is an intiative of a global organization called World Culture Open and is a series of culture-related performances held in the Beijing MOMA Cinematheque every two months.”

This Saturday, May 19th will see the first of a four-part event series by C!Talk Beijing to raise cultural awareness through performances by local artists and 100% of the ticket sales will go to The Dandelion School of Beijing to provide a chance for underprivileged children to also attend fun theatrical events.

“C!Talk thrives to create an open stage where people can enjoy their rights to arts. The May 19th show will deliver an unforgettably engaging, inspiring, and thoroughly entertaining experience to the Beijing community.” – Janet Kang, organizer for C!Talk Events

Their first event will feature international artists and performers showing their talents around the theme : You & Me.

Performers include Beijing’s beloved and very hilarious Beijing Improv Group along with a Argentinian Tango and talented multicultural musician Rani Geroult.

C!Talk’s Performing Artists:

• Argentinian Tango by Annie Cheung and Mark Jonikas - Annie Cheng is an independent modern dancer & choreographer, Argentine tango instructor and performing arts organizer. Both Annie and her dance partner Mark Jonikas will take you through the concept and demonstration of two sorts of magnetisms in Tango. 

• Rani Geroult - Born in India and raised in France, Rani Geroult has a personal background that binds her to both Western and Eastern cultures. From the self taught musician playing in the streets of Sanary-sur-Mer in France to becoming an international vocal artist in Beijing, Rani has crossed a trajectory and developed a different voice and style taking her to places, and charming international audiences all over the world.  A multicultural and multitalented musician, Rani will perform several improvisational pieces.

• Beijing Improv - Beijing Improv is China’s oldest and largest Improvised Theater organization, produced widely acclaimed monthly comedy shows and winning raving reviews. They will perform several interactive comedy skits created based on the theme “you and me”

• The Buu Club – Created in 2010 by a group of young musicians fascinated with aboriginal music, they aspire to promote freedom, happiness, tolerance, and a natural lifestyle. For this event, they will perform a “conversation” between a Djembe and a Darbuka (Middle Eastern drum). 

“Perhaps the most exciting part of the show is the Buu Club’s  ’Cultural Jam’ performance that invites two different genres of cultures to perform improvisational and interactive ‘jamming,’ and this time we will feature two different types of drums – Djembe and Darbuka.” – Janet Kang

Event tickets are only RMB 30 per person but keep in mind that 100% of ticket sales will be donated to the Dandelion School of Beijing.

To read more about Annie Cheung and Rani Geroult’s performances for C!Talk’s “You & Me” event this Saturday, May 19, check out Global Times article here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 16:00-17:30

• Location: Beijing MOMA Cinematheque 当代MOMA 百老汇电影中心

• Address: North area of Dongzhimen MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Chaoyang district  朝阳区东直门香河园路1号, 万国城北区（二环路东北角）

• Website: Click here

About C!Talk:

C!TALK is about creative talent sharing. C!TALKs provide with a stage where such cultural wisdom and stories are shared with a larger public. Invited artists from diverse cultural genres will perform on stage and talk with the audiences to share their wisdom, experiences and the stories of tears and laughs.

“1 event ticket per child.”  - Many of us have the memory of heartfelt sensation from being to events such as ballet, musical, orchestra performances or plays. Such sentiment seeds joy and even hope to many people. C!TALKs ask audience to purchase tickets (RMB 30), but 100% of the profit, in turn, are used to support event tickets for children of less privileged, those who don’t have much access to the live theatrical events.

Organized in series bimonthly, each C!TALK session is created by collaboration among diverse groups of people from a local community. It raises awareness of community spirit among the participating artists, organizers, sponsors, volunteers, audiences, and the recipients of donations alike.

The program is designed as a part of ‘creative sharing’ initiative of the World Culture Open, a global network organization which strives to provide open and creative intercultural platform for people to engage, enjoy, embrace and be enriched together, sharing and respecting each other’s cultural experiences and knowledge, as well as dreams and ideas.

On the Hunt for Beijing’s Best Afternoon Tea: Kempinski

Afternoon Tea Buffet Bar at Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Lounge

Back at it again, LumDimSum is determined to help CityWeekend uncover Beijing’s Best Afternoon Tea.  I’ve already hit up afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt and Sofitel Beijing Hotel to see how each one compares to the others and although some fare better than others, so far none have stood out as mind-blowingly spectacular. And I really don’t want to settle for anything less than that.

Next up, we have the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, whose afternoon tea was actually listed as one of Time Out Beijing’s Top 4 Picks for the city’s best rated afternoon teas.

The Kempinski Hotel is a Beijing “old school” hotel that has been around for ages and passed the test of time. From what I hear, before Beijing was swimming in choice for upscale establishments, the Kempinski was one of the biggest players around back in the day (we’re talking over 10 years ago). It’s no longer a destination people rave about, but it’s still part of a massive convention center, shopping mall and with its prime location in one of Beijing’s most important diplomatic business quarters (and close proximity to the US embassy), the Kempinski still has the leverage to hold its own against Beijing’s other 5-star hotels.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Kempinski Hotel Beijing & Rendez-vous Lounge:

Step inside the Grand Lobby of Kempinski Hotel Beijing

Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Bar & Lounge

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Bar & Lounge offers a “Weekend High Tea Buffet” from 2:30PM-6:00PM for RMB 138 per person + 15% service charge.

While Kempinski calls it “High Tea”, they should be calling it “Afternoon Tea” as British High Tea is traditionally more of a working class meal to be enjoyed at the end of the work day (after 5PM) serving heavy meat, fish and potato dishes like steak and kidney pie whereas “Afternoon Tea” involves things like manners, lace and dainty food to be enjoyed as an elite social gathering.

That being said, there is also something inherently wrong about inserting the word “buffet” alongside “high tea”. British high-tea is a time-honored tradition, and that should automatically repel any association with a “free-for-all buffet” where people pile their plates to the brim and a venue serving buffet undeniably makes the conscious choice to sacrifice quality for quantity. I can imagine how appalling this must be to Brits who might actually want to reminisce in classic British custom.

Fortunately for Kempinski, we are in Beijing and “fusion” is trendy here so there is really no point in being a stickler for respecting and upholding classic traditions in such a cosmopolitan city.  I realize that makes me sound stuffy and conservative, but in the same way that I prefer not to drink tea out of tea bags, I prefer to enjoy British high tea in an authentic fashion (I admit my position is heavily influenced by too many hours spent watching Downton Abbey).

Kempinski’s buffet was not as crass as you might suspect a “British High Tea Buffet” to be, but afternoon tea is just not the same without being served the multi-layered silver trays of dainty snacks.

As my fellow British foodie friend eloquently explained, “Afternoon tea should be enjoyed as an occasion rather than this drive-thru style.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Tea was served in porcelain white tea sets to be enjoyed on comfy, plush sofas in the Rendez-vous Lounge. Once again, my British counterpart automatically went for the classic English Breakfast Tea while I chose something a little less conventional.

Western & Eastern Tea Selection at the Kempinski

As you can see from the photos below, the selection was plentiful, but nothing was traditionally British and maybe that’s not a bad thing bearing in mind this is a Swiss luxury hotel chain with a prominent German bakery.  Before I get into details I ought to give due credit to Kempinski’s awesome Kempi Deli who supplies an abundance of freshly baked bread, cakes, pastries and sandwiches on a daily basis.

You can probably get a good sense of the items on display through the close-up shots that everything was pretty mediocre. None of the hot items were hot (not even the quiche and scones under the warming tray) and similar to the afternoon tea at Sofitel Wanda Beijing, the quality of the desserts were much more superior to the savory snacks. The best of the bunch were the Smoked Trout Baguette and Mini Prosciutto Sandwiches, but the bread was still much too thick and filling.

Dessert highlights include the chocolate mousse, fruit tarts and the Belgium Ivory Chocolate Fondue with mini cake and fruit skewers to dip. Points were deducted for serving scones with orange whip cream rather than separate sauces dishes of jam and clotted cream as it ought to be served.

Afternoon Tea at the Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Lounge:

Kempinski “Weekend High Tea Buffet” Display

Cold Soba Noodles / Prosciutto Ham Buns

Smoked Trout on French Baguette / Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Cheese

Spinach & Feta Cheese Quiche / Vanilla Scones

Mini Strawberry Pavlovas  / Fruit Tarts

Mango Tart / Chocolate Mousse Topped with Strawberry

Chocolate Muffins, Chocolate Sweets & Bran Banana Muffins

Red Berry Jelly / Emmental Cheese Platter

Kempinski Afternoon Tea Buffet: Belgium Ivory Chocolate Fondue with Fruit Skewers and Cakes to Dip

Fruit Basket & Fresh Fruit Platter

In spite of all the loungers in Rendez-vous Bar & Lounge and the wide selection on display, there was hardly anyone going up to the buffet.

Observing the other guests around me, it was clear that this is a purely functional venue. Rather than a lounge for people to relax and sip on tea, they were all meeting here for work-related meetings – drinking coffee and discussing business.

Perhaps that’s is why this “high tea” is served as a buffet (less effort) and why the entire “high tea deal” seems more like an after-thought rather than the main attraction.

To be perfectly honest, it seemed like the lounge’s clientele paid more notice to the live pianist performance more than the high tea buffet.

Live Pianist Performs in Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Lounge

I can imagine that the experience would be much more enhanced if the lounge provided outdoor seating in the hotel courtyard that is bordered by surrounding gardens.

Green View Through Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Lounge

Review of Kempinski’s Afternoon High Tea: Located on the Southeast Corner of Liangmaqiao, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Tel: +86 10 6465 3388. Afternoon Tea available Friday, Saturday & Sundays, 2:30pm-6pm

Best Part:

• Come hungry because a buffet automatically implies you’re allowed to “stuff-your-face-til-you-fall-over” rule of thumb
• Save extra room for their chocolate mousse, fruit tarts and Belgium Ivory Chocolate Fondue with mini cake and fruit skewers.
• Lounge features a live pianist who performs daily.
• Their awesome Kempi Deli is probably responsible for the nice chocolates and sweet tarts on display at the dessert bar. 
• The Kempinski is surrounded by green gardens, perfect for a nice stroll after stuffing your face at the buffet.

Comments:

• This is not a place for traditionalists. Kempinski serves their afternoon tea as a buffet (don’t expect to see any multi-tiered silver trays brought to your table)
• While Kempinski’s Rendez-vous Lounge is lovely, it is clear this is a place to meet and discuss business rather than a place to relax and enjoy afternoon tea as an occasion. No one seemed to pay any attention to the buffet as the lounge was full but we were the only two people going up to the buffet.  
• The tea was fine, but the food was very mediocre, especially the savory snacks.  The Quiche and Scones were cold even though they are under a warming tray and the scones were served with an orange whip cream rather than jam and clotted cream. 
• As my fellow Brit so eloquently describes this experience - “Afternoon tea should be enjoyed as an occasion rather than this drive-thru style.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

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

• Food: 6
• Atmosphere: 6
• Service: 6

• Overall Experience: 6

Tea Service at the Kempinski Beijing Hotel

LDS’s Afternoon Tea Reviews in Beijing:

Friendly Fires Performs at China Music Valley Festival

The concert I can’t wait to witness: Friendly Fires

After the music festival overload over the 3-day May holiday (four festivals taking place simultaneously across three days is excessive), you might have thought it was all over but the best is yet to come!

In my previous LDS article covering all the music festivals taking place across the month: The Month of May is Music Festival Madness, I had briefly introduced China Music Valley Music Festival, but with all the other music festivals over and done with, you can now focus your attention on CMV who’s bringing 8 groups of international artists, 8 groups of Chinese artists, several electric and jazz artists and even some high-energy aerobics sessions by my favorite Swedish guy wearing bright pink shorts, Heyrobics.

These were the same guys who brought Avril Lavigne, Little Boots, Editors and KT Tunstall last year to Beijing for a rocking 2-day Music Festival.

China Music Valley Music Festival (May 18-20)

The full line-up is spread across three stages (one more stage than last year) with Brit-pop leading CMV with 6 out of the 8 international artists coming from the UK (coincidence that this is happening in this London Olympic Year?)

CMV’s International Artists:

• Legendary Scottish band: The Jesus and Mary Chain
• UK R&B diva who sold over 11 million records worldwide: Joss Stone
• The UK pop icon: Pixie Lott
• Top level European rock band from UK: White Lies
• The famous Scottish band: Glasvegas
• Electric rock band: Friendly Fires
• Fantasy rock band from NYC: School of Seven Bells
• Electric pop band from Finland: Husky Rescue

CMV’s Local Artists:

• Two of the biggest mainland China rock superstars: Xu Wei & Wang Feng
• Indie Rock Star from Taiwan: Mavis Fan & 100%
• Female Eason Chan from Hong Kong: Kay
• The most influencing indie DJ in mainland China: Youdai
• Beijing Brit-pop rock band: The SuperVC
• Electric Band: Nova Heart
• The New Generation Jazz Band: Li Gaoyang Jazz Tribe
• Chinese Princess Mermaid: Blanda Sun
• Beijing new band: G11
• Mainland Top DJ: DJ-A.M.U
• Beijing electric music producer: DJ Howie Lee

For those die-hard music festival goers, fans have the option of camping out there all weekend with the campsite opening up on Friday, May 18 and you can score 3-day tickets for only RMB 150 if you pre-pay before Wednesday, May 16 (regular price is RMB 480 for 3-day pass or RMB 580 if you pay at the door).  To purchase this steal of a deal, go to sendmetickets.com and they can even deliver tickets directly to you!

Camping spots are limited and it’s first come, first serve so act now if this is something you are interested in booking – just email the CMV Committee: cmvfestival@163.com (very official sign-up process).

If you are just interested in going up for with Saturday or Sunday, here’s the breakdown of performances per day with acts displaying backwards chronologically showing headliners first:

CMV Music Festival: Friday’s Line-Up

CMV Music Festival: Saturday’s Line-Up

CMV Music Festival: Sunday’s Line-Up

While the line-up is good both Saturday and Sunday, I’m biased towards Sunday when one of my all-time favorite bands Friendly Fires will be on the YUE stage from 8:40-9:40PM.

CMV Music Festival Details:

• Dates: Friday, May 18- Sunday, May 20, 2012

• Times: Friday from 8:30-11:30PM, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 11PM

• Tickets: Purchase a 3-Day Pass for only RMB 150 on sendmetickets.com (normally RMB 480 for pre-sale or RMB 580 at the door for 3-day pass or even 280RMB (per day pre-sale), 350RMB (per day at door)

• Location: Beijing Yuyang International Ski Resort

• Address: Click here for directions and Music Festival Bus Pass

Feast Your Eyes: Newly Opened Haiku in Jinqiao, SH

Newly Opened Haiku in Jinqiao 金桥, Shanghai

Lucky Shanghai-ers, I rarely envy you but when I stepped in to the newly opened Haiku in Jinqiao 金桥, I was so green with envy I practically turned into the Hulk. 

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.

Hatsune Sanlitun Branch: CFFC 2011

Contrasting Hatsune Sanlitun’s underwater, aquatic themes evident throughout the restaurant from the oceanic ground flooring and the stream of fish swimming across the restaurant into a spiraling mass in the center of restaurant’s high-ceilings, Haiku in Jinqiao features a theme of a rocky mountain face with tiered seating and bouldering tables and my favorite part is the bright sushi bar’s “firefly” lights that are only visible if you sit at the sushi bar. I should also mention that the sushi bar seats are quite possibly the most comfortable (and extravagantly expensive) chairs I have seen provided at any sushi bar.

Haiku’s Sushi Bar with Hidden “Firefly” Lights

Haiku’s doors are just now open to walk-in customers and the restaurant is already buzzing with happy sushi fanatics, but the project is not quite complete.  While the Haiku, California-style Japanese fusion side of the restaurant is complete, there is still the Kagen Teppanyaki side that is finishing up its final touches before it is fully operational.  This Haiku branch in Jinqiao is split into two concepts, the only restaurant that will combine both Haiku and Kagen Teppanyaki restaurant concepts into one.

Located just across the way from Green Sports & Leisure Center, there is no in-your-face, back-lit sign or entrance to the restaurant but just a very simple sign with Haiku’s restaurant label that you will miss unless you look for it. The unobtrusive exterior makes your first-impression that much more exaggerated once you step inside.

Stepping into Haiku, Front Door Reception Table

Everything is brand-spanking new, dressed in stylish furniture, new staff uniforms and a new menu design.  I love the size and quality of this menu, but was a bit gutted to see that my “LumDimSum” roll didn’t make the cut for this new Haiku in Shanghai.

So far so good, everything looks to be running smoothly thus far!

Stay tuned for more details regarding the other project – Pulau Ketam, a modern crab house opening in Xintiandi!

LumDimSum Snapshots of the NEW! Haiku in Jinqiao:

NEW! Haiku in Jinqiao Contact Details:

• Address: 601 Lantian Lu, near Yunshan Lu  蓝天路601号, 近云山路

• Tel: 3882 0611

Haiku Jinqiao’s Official Opening Party:

To inaugurate the new Jinqiao location, Haiku will be inviting all to attend their grand opening party on Friday, May 18th.

In appropriate Hatsune fashion, the night will be fueled by free flow sake, signature cocktails, and never-ending signature sushi rolls.  DJ Saul D from Beijing will be flying out to play alongside DJ MK. And don’t not forget the dangerous “Wasabi Challenge” and a sumo wrestling competition!

It wouldn’t be a real party without some serious sumo action.

• Tickets: RMB 100 Online Reservation or RMB 150 at the door

• Email:  info@haikushanghai.com

To the World’s Supermoms: Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

For the first time in years, I am lucky enough to be in the same country with my dearest, lovely mommy!

A strong woman loved and admired by everyone who meets her, my mom is my Supermom.  She raised two kids while running her own business, she speaks three languages fluently and she’s still the best cook in the world in my book.

To the awesome women who nurtured us into the people we are today, it’s time for us to spoil them back!

For those who haven’t booked their mother’s day brunches and dinners, here’s a great list of options:

theBeijinger’s List of Mother’s Day Brunches and Deals

Time Out’s List of Mother’s Day Specials

CityWeekend’s “Big Badass List of Mother’s Day Brunches, Lunches and Dinners” 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the World’s Supermoms!

Time Out’s Sunday Salon: Pipa Master Zhang Hongyan

This Sunday, The Bookworm and Time Out Magazine are teaming up to host internationally renowned pipa player Zhang Hongyan (章紅艷) from Zhejiang province as a part of this month’s Sunday Salons, an interactive lecture series that takes you “behind the music” of China.

“Zhang is known for blending Western and Chinese music, her commitment to music education and her refusal to take a “set fee”, receiving anywhere from 500RMB -100,000RMB per concert. For Zhang, it’s about the music, and musicians are there to serve.” 

One of the most technically difficult of China’s traditional instruments to master, the pipa requires “great stamina and flexible fingering”.

*Don’t forget to bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing and entrance ticket is reduced to only RMB 20 (which also includes a free drink courtesy of The Bookworm)!

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012

• Time: 7:30PM

• Location: The Bookworm

• Address: Sanlitun Nanjie, 三里屯南街4号楼

• Tickets: 30RMB; 20RMB (if you bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing)

About Zhang Hongyan:

Zhang Hongyan is a renowned pipa recitalist and educator, a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, a supervisor on the Conservatory’s Master’s degree programme, an executive member of the All China Youth Federation and the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, and formerly a visiting scholar at Columbia University in the United States.

As an outstanding recitalist among the new generation of Chinese musicians, Zhang has garnered attention on the local and international music scene. She has built an extensive repertoire, and her playing exhibits a masterful combination of sheer virtuosity and musicality. She has given numerous solo recitals and touring performances throughout cities in mainland China.

In recent years, her collaboration with the Macao Orchestra has taken her to over twenty cities domestically, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, and also overseas to the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Poland, Korea, Singapore, and to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Zhang has appeared onstage with the China National Symphony Orchestra, the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have graced world-famous concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, etc. In a bid to amalgamate Chinese and Western music for further development, Zhang experimented with different performing formats, such as pipa with a symphony orchestra, and eclectic ensembles of Chinese plucked-string instruments. She was the first instrumentalist to give a concerto performance with a Western symphony orchestra using a Chinese instrument.

Bespoke Beijing: Hutong Adventures & Cricket Fighters

Bespoke Beijing Hutong Tour via Rickshaws

My family has been to Beijing multiple times so the usual must-see locations (Tiananmen & Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, yada yada) have already been checked off.  After traveling in Southern China for a week (Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing Huangshan, Hangzhou) we only had 3 days left to spend together in Beijing.

As you might suspect, I made them binge on a ridiculous amount of food at every given opportunity, but I also wanted to introduce them to Bespoke Beijing‘s recommended “experiences and experts” so they could see just how capable and uniquely awesome Bespoke’s services are.

One of my all-time favorite tours is Bespoke’s Expert Hutong Tour.  Before I get into details, I should say off the bat that this is no ordinary Hutong tour. I am positive every travel company that exists in Beijing will offer some sort of Hutong Tour with a ride on a rickshaw through Beijing’s famous hutongs around the Gulou and Houhai area, but Bespoke’s Hutong tour is so much more.

“No other city in the entire world has hutongs. What does that tell you? That you should go see them of course! These ancient, labyrinthine alleyways are where ‘real’ Beijing life happens, so to help you navigate some of the most interesting bits, we’ll fix you up with Frank, an old Beijinger who’s lived in the hutongs his entire life.”  - Bespoke Beijing

Having lived in the hutongs his entire life, Frank is the most perfect possible guide to show you through the hutongs and give you a deeper understanding of this fascinating side of Chinese history, culture and show you first hand an authentic picture of traditional hutong life as it once was. And what’s especially impressive and almost incomprehensible is how clear and articulate Frank speaks English.  Very, very unexpected for someone who’s never left his hutong home in Beijing.

Our first stop in our Bespoke Hutong Tour was a visit to a private Hutong museum jam-packed with artifacts from old Hutong life.  As soon as modern China started tearing down old hutongs to build up more skyscrapers, these genius collectors quickly got their act together and started gathering up antique furniture and useful household tools to proudly keep on display for curious visitors to check out.

Fun facts I enjoyed learning about were the various tools used by street salesmen to make a distinct sound to notify hutong communities of their services. For example, it was originally believed to be bad luck to say “cut your hair” in Chinese as hair sounds like the word for “growth” and “development” so who wants to cut short their personal growth and development? So instead of having a barber walk around shouting for everyone to “cut their growth”, he instead walked around with a specific device that makes a distinctive noise that everyone in the community recognizes as the sound that belongs to the neighborhood barber.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Beijing’s Private Hutong Museum:  

Testing & Discovering the Meanings of Old Hutong Sounds

After visiting the hutong museum, we made our way to the Drum Tower to ascend its very steep staircase that leads directly into the main upper level where they regularly do a 5-minute drum performance with four drummers. This takes place every day right on the dot every 30 minutes. We arrived at the Drum Tower with only a minute to spare before the performance kicked off so timing was perfect (thanks again to Frank). Afterwards, Frank explained the traditional methods of keeping track of time to ensure that the drums are consistently reliable and pointed out the direct line outside that leads straight into Jingshan Park and the center of the Forbidden City, the heart of Beijing.

Drum Show at the Top of the Drum Tower

After these two spots, Frank walked us through a local wet market pointing out China’s quirky vegetables, popular spices and herbs, and local specialties like China’s renowned 1,000 year old eggs (that are not really 1,000 years old).

Afterwards, we hopped on two separate rickshaws pulled by two very courteous drivers who whizzed us around the hutong neighborhood, ending at the home of a local cricket trainer.

Walking into this one-of-a-kind home, we were surrounded by talking birds, pet fish, a pet dog and more insects than you’d like to imagine.

Meeting the cricket master was something my dad and brother were most looking forward to seeing in Beijing since my dad actually grew up in southern China playing with crickets as a child. Not only is this an unforgettable experience, Master Liu aka Cricket Liu is a hoot!

“On the quirky scale, this one’s a ten. In China, this is a serious sport and has been for centuries. This is your opportunity to meet Beijing’s most famous cricket trainer (yes, you heard right) and find out all about this ancient practice. You’ll get to meet the clients (read: insects) he’s currently working with, and hear all about the instruments and methods he uses to get them fighting fit. This colourful local character actually trains crickets and grasshoppers to fight in local competitions. A fascinating insight into a bizarre Chinese sport you won’t forget in a hurry!” - Bespoke Beijing

Frank’s impression of a Cricket

New Friends: Cricket Fighter Liu & LumFam

Perfect for both visitors and even Beijingers who are curious about this age-old Chinese tradition and to this day, a very popular gambling activity in China.

To book your own Bespoke Beijing expert Hutong tour, here’s everything you will need to know:

NEED TO KNOW

• How much does it cost? 560RMB for 1 person; 320RMB per additional person 

• How long will it take? 3.5 hours 

• When can I do it? Anytime, as long as you start before 3pm 

• How far in advance should I book? At least 4 days Getting there The cost does not include transportation to and from the meeting point. You can get here by taxi, or hire a standard car for 460RMB. Start Point Square behind the Drum Tower End Point Square behind the Drum Tower Children Half price for kids under 6. Babes in arms go free. 

• Any other costs I should know about? Nope! (A tip for the rickshaw driver is already included in the price, which Frank will pay to the driver after the tour.) 

• What to bring:  A healthy heart (you’ll need to climb some steep steps to the top of the Drum Tower) – and a willingness to be in close proximity to insects! Our favourite bit When Cricket Trainer Mr. Liu explains, in all seriousness, that the little metal case he is holding is actually the crickets’ ‘marriage bed’.

Bespoke Beijing Contact Details:  Email info@bespoke-beijing.com or call (+86) 10 6400 0133. 

Website: www.bespokebeijing.com

Lum-tourage with a Load of Brits at Black Sesame Kitchen

(Shout out to Candice Lee aka C-Dice for organizing a perfect dinner party!)

Pink Day Charity Fair: Where Wellness Takes Flight

Beijing’s first Pink Day 2012 will be hosted in Central Park

Beijing’s very first Pink Day 2012 is a fun food fair dedicated to Breast Cancer Prevention with FREE Breast Cancer Screenings (only 15 minutes per person for free screening) made available and onsite doctors from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital will be made available for on-site consultation as well as the well-known Breast Cancer Professor Guangwei Xu and Doctor Hui Yu.

For all the women you care about, come out and join in the fight against breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening Mobile Center

Hosted by the China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and Savills Property Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd Central Park Branch Company, this event has over 1,000 expected guests and a wide host of vendors including Beijing’s most dynamic restaurants, spas, wellness groups and health service providers.

More than just food and activities relating to breast health (free mini lectures, consultations, and examinations), there will also be a charity garage sale, a bounce house and lucky draw where winners can score a free iPhone, hotel stays Health Club Membership and restaurant vouchers.

All funds raised in this event will support the China Breast Cancer Foundation‘s various projects and impoverished mothers with breast cancer.

Special thanks to the owners of Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat and Wellness Spa, who are actively engaging the Beijing community to get involved and do their part.  We’re trying to raise at least RMB 100k so please help us spread the word for this great outdoor fair.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012

• Time: 1PM-5PM

• Location: Central Park

• Address: Central Park on Chaowai Dajie 朝外大街6号新城国际

• To Volunteer or Get More info: Email pr@hummingbird.net.cn 

About China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)

The China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) under China Social Work Association is a not-for-profit organization established in January 2008 with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. Mr. Xu Ruixin, the primary vice minister of Civil Affairs of China, is the director-general of CBCF. Dr. Xu Guangwei, a well-known cancer expert and director-general of the Chinese Cancer Prevention Association, is the vice director-general of CBCF.

The mission of CBCF is to mobilize social resources to raise public awareness and knowledge about breast cancer, fund research and development in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and promote early diagnosis and early treatment techniques for breast cancer in medical organizations.

For more info, click here for CBCF’s official website.

Hail to Halal: Khatoon Iranian Restaurant

After my sweet, sweet discovery of delicious little Dareen’s Coffee (click for LDS review), my fellow Egyptian foodie friend and I have been inspired to discover Middle Eastern restaurants beyond the Biteapitta bubble of ignorant bliss we’d been living in and see what else Beijing has to offer!

Although the experience wasn’t entirely perfect at Dareen’s Coffee (mainly because of the stale and cold pita bread), we were delighted to stumble upon this new find and learn that the hummus, babaganoush and falafel is better here than anywhere else we’ve tried!  Since this recent discovery, I’ve been putting out the word to ask fellow foodies for restaurant tips on their favorite Middle Eastern finds and that’s when a little birdie told me about Khatoon Iranian Restaurant.

Pulling up to Khatoon on our bikes was a nice first impression. A rather large establishment, Khatoon is two stories with a wide entrance made of glass. I love the thick, green vines that wrap up the walls of the building.

Exterior Shot of Khatoon Iranian Restaurant

Stepping inside, a diner’s worst suspicions were realized. We were the only two diners in the entire restaurant.  It is always unnerving to be the only two people in an empty restaurant, and unfortunately for Khatoon, this awkward feeling of an empty void was magnified even more in this big space.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Khatoon Iranian Restaurant: 

First Floor Long Bar is Odd for a Restaurant that doesn’t serve or allow Alcohol

Second Floor Dining Room

Rooftop Deck Overlooking Sanlitun

I generally take this as a bad sign when there is not one other diner in the entire restaurant, but I heard Khatoon’s lamb shank is crazy good, so I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt and stay hopeful.

We were hungry after our sweaty session of Heyrobics, so we ordered more than enough to fill two stomachs.  Three appetizers, a side of fresh pita and two mains was just about right.

We started off with their Shirazi Salad (RMB 22), a diced cucumber, tomato and onions which was both refreshing and tasty, but served in a much smaller porcelain bowl than we were led to believe in their very zoomed-in picture on their menu. That being said, I am probably guilty of the same crime as the photo below makes the dish appear bigger than it really was (so best to refer to the second photo down).

Salad Shirazi (RMB 22)

The Halim Bademjan or Eggplant Dip (RMB 32) was our favorite dish of the night and although it does look just as it appears in the menu, you don’t realize how shallow the plate is so it’s actually quite a thin layer. Needless to say, this dish was demolished in a matter of minutes and as much as we enjoyed every bite of it, I gotta say that the dish really tastes more like it’s made from beans rather than eggplant.  What made matters worse is the confusion that erupted when we asked the waitress to confirm that it was indeed eggplant after she has hesitantly answered our inquiries the first time as she wasn’t sure herself.  Luckily, we had our trusted friend Google by our side, who confirmed that Halim Bademjan is indeed an eggplant dish.

Halim Bademjan or Eggplant Dip (RMB 32)

On to Khatoon’s mains: we went for the recommended lamb shank (RMB 68) and Beef Lamb Koobideh (RMB 42), an Iranian minced meat kabab. Unlike our appetizers, the portions of our mains were much bigger. The lamb meat came on a giant bone practically engulfed in a mountain of Broad Bean and Dill Rice. I can’t say that the lamb shank lived up to my expectations, but it was good and I definitely was left satisfied after finishing off both mains. The Fresh Yoghurt and Spinach Dip (RMB 25) was perfect to complement both meat dishes.

Beef Lamb Koobideh (RMB 42)

Lamb Shank with Broad Bean & Dill Rice (RMB 68)

Fresh Yoghurt & Spinach Dip (RMB 25)

Since we were the only two diners in the restaurant, I can understand why the waitresses in the restaurant might feel bored, but they should have been less obvious about it.  I figure the owner of Khatoon was downstairs so both waitresses preferred to play on their cell phones next to our table instead.

Caught in the Act: Waitresses Looking Bored & Playing on Phones

Review of Khatoon: Waijiao Apartment, 1 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District  朝阳区新东路1号外交公寓亮马河南岸; Tel: 8532 1071; Open Daily 11AM-11PM

Best Part:

• Khatoon is a Muslim-inspired restaurant with a Halal menu.

• The restaurant is spacious and the vines crawling up the restaurant walls outside is lovely.

• The rooftop dining space would be a nice option on a clear, cool summer night.

• You can order delivery from them on Jinshisong. You can also check out their full menu on their website here.

• Try their Halim Bademjan Eggplant Dish (RMB 32) to dip your fresh pita bread, it’s delicious!

Comments:

• It’s unnerving to be the only diners sitting in a big, empty restaurant. Maybe it was just a quiet night, but considering it’s location (north of Sanlitun across from Yuyang Hotel on the south bank of Liangma River), I can see that Khatoon can only rely on customers who go out of their way to dine at Khatoon (rather than walk-by traffic)

• It’s inexcusable for waitresses to be sitting down and texting on their cell phones for long periods of time in front of customers. It’s one thing to be bored and another to be flaunting their lack of work ethic in front of the people they should be trying their best to impress.

• One side of the room was surrounded in floor to ceiling mirrors.  Done correctly, mirrors can give the optical illusion of added space and depth in a small space, but here in Khatoon just made the space feel more empty and it’s weird to be looking at your reflection while eating. The classical piano music playing in the background throughout our meal was also a bit out of place dining in a Persian restaurant.

• The dishes were satisfactory. Everything was fine, but nothing was exceptional or really stood out as better than Rumi. I think everything tasted rather bland and they should turn the flavors up a notch.  Perhaps more parsley would help? While Dareen Coffee made me question my loyalty to Biteapitta, I can’t say there is anything about Khatoon that pulls me away from Rumi.

• It’s odd to have the first floor taken up entirely by a bar in a restaurant that does not serve any alcohol and does not even allow you to bring in your own drinks. Another bonus for Rumi to allow guests to BYOB.

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

• Food: 6

• Atmosphere: 3

• Service: 4

• Overall Experience: 5

Skylight for Goldfish Between First and Second Floor of Khatoon