The New and Improved 1949 Duck de Chine Jinbao Jie

This place is gorgeous. I was so in awe of my surroundings that I spent 30 minutes just wandering around taking photos of everything.

If you have ever been to the original Duck de Chine in 1949 Hidden City in South Sanlitun, the decor of both venues run in similar themes with the same red lanterns hanging from the ceilings and green/teal floral paintings along the walls, but this layout is even better. Housed in a large siheyuan with an open courtyard in the middle surrounded by clear glass walls with views into the kitchen, bar area and dining space, this is really a space you can explore.

LumDimSum Snapshots of the New Duck de Chine in Jinbao:

I could really go on and on about how stunning this venue is, but considering this is a restaurant review, I will move on to equally as important matters – the food (in this case, the DUCK).

The DUCK of Duck de Chine: 

One whole roast duck will set you back RMB 238, but the presentation and service is flawless and the sauce is a show in itself. This is my favorite part (second to the decor) as it is utterly unique and a swirl of perfection.  A waitress comes around and adds in extra sauces and with one swish of the sauce bowl, it becomes a work of art.  Literally.  It’s marvelous.  In general, I was most impressed by the duck’s sauce and also their Tofu & Duck Soup (RMB 58 per person). Almost USD$10 for a small bowl of soup, but it is soothing and a perfect compliment to duck pancakes.

Chefs Roasting Ducks in Open Kitchen / Family Dinner Pic

Enjoy duck served to you table side (RMB 238 for whole duck)

Tofu & Duck Soup (RMB 58 per bowl) / Swirl of Duck Dipping Sauce (duck fixings are RMB 8 per person)

Aside from the two ducks we ordered, we went to town on the other dishes on their menu.  Highlights include their Bamboo Shoots in Chili Oil (RMB 48), Deep-fried Tofu (RMB 68), Sauteed Shrimp in Chili Oil (RMB 168), and their Sauteed Chicken Bones with Gingko in Maggie Sauce (RMB 128).  Yes, the chicken bones are awesome…that is, if you like your food chewy and crunchy at the same time. A bit oily, but very tasty.

Every dish served was clearly very high quality and tasty, but the prices are just on another level compared to even higher-end Chinese restaurants. The portions were small considering it’s meant to be family-style and shared.  Although it was good, you are definitely bound to pay a pretty penny at Duck de Chine (and that goes for both branches).

Other Dishes by Duck de Chine:

Dry Plum Infused Pumpkin (RMB 38) / Marinated Black Fungus with Spring Onions (RMB 48)

Bamboo Shoots in Chili Oil (RMB 48) / Chinese

Sauteed Shrimp with Chili Sauce (RMB168) / Poached Chinese cabbage with Wild Mushrooms in Chicken Soup (RMB 98)

Deep Fried Tofu with Salt and Spice (RMB 78) / Sauteed Chicken Bones with Gingko in Maggie Sauce (RMB 128)

Stir-fried Beef with Spring Onions in XO Sauce (RMB 148) / Sauteed Been Vermicelli with Wild Mushrooms and Dried Shrimps (RMB 88)

Fried Noodles with Shredded Chicken & Bean Sprout in XO Sauce (RMB 88) / Pan-fried Pork Dumplings (RMB 32 for 3)

Dessert & Fruit Platter

Review of the NEW Duck de Chine: 1949 Hidden City 2, 98 Jinbaojie, Dongcheng district 东城区金宝街98号; Tel: 6521 2221

Best Part:

• Hands-down, the DECOR is the best part about this venue.  It is stunning and if you’ve seen the first Duck de Chine, it’s already hard to believe this one is even more beautiful. This is an ideal place to take out-of-town visitors who want to try Beijing duck.
• The location of this new Duck de Chine branch is even better as well.  Of course Sanlitun is closer to me (and most people in the East side of Beijing), but this location is much closer and more accessible when you’re playing tour guide and closer to the vicinity of Tiananmen, Forbidden City and Chang An Jie. 
• The statues all around are pretty sweet and I love the giant faceless bear statues outside in the center courtyard.
• The duck’s sauce! I can’t get over how pretty sauce can be with just a swirl. The duck itself is good, but I’ve had better (Made in China is still my favorite and you can see my top Duck hit list). 
• The roast duck ovens are blocked off by floor-to-ceiling glass walls, so it’s completely open for all to see, a very nice touch.
• They have a giant bar stocked with bottles of champagne chilling on ice.  Quite fancy and if anything, a bit intimidating.
• Recently opened, this is a very swanky place to check out for those on the hunt for new and impressive finds. 

Comments:

• While the decor really blew me away, I’ve got to say I was not that impressed with the food.  I realize the quality and presentation is all very good, but portions are small and price tags are exorbitant. But as you can imagine from a place like this, it’s definitely a “special occasion” kind of place rather than a place you can frequent.
• Service was professional and attentive and their sommelier is extremely knowledgeable of wines.  Private wine dinners here would work exceptionally well.
• The place is quite big and wraps around in a giant siheyuan courtyard so space is quite separated and has a vibe that’s much more exclusive as opposed to inclusive and intimate.  
• Generally, the menu prices of their dishes are much higher than even high-end Chinese restaurants, but in this case, I guess you’re paying more for the decor and the experience of dining in such a stunning and impressive dining establishment.  Generally expect to spend avg. RMB 300 per person (doesn’t include alcohol). 

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

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 10
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 8

A Taste of Spain: Spring Wine Tasting

“A Spring Wine Journey to Spain to Enjoy its Different Colors, Aromas and Textures.”

Enjoy a special wine tasting this Thursday, June 3rd at 1949 THE HIDDEN CITY.

Hosted by MPC Wines from Spain and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, come and learn about 4 different styles & wines from Spain inclusive of free flow Spanish Tapas matching the peculiarities of selected wines.

“We will be presenting the sensuality and sophistication of our cava, the sweet crispiness of Orvalaiz Rosado, the traditional garnacha coupage from Navarra and the exoticness of zalema, a white from Condado de Huelva.“

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, June 3rd

• Time: 19:30-22:00
• Venue: 1949 The hidden city terrace
• Address: Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu Sanlitun工体北路四号院(太平洋百货南门对面 (Tel: 133-1126-1949, 6501-1949)
• Wines: Cava 1+1=3 (Macabeo), Inurrieta Sur (Garnacha, tempranillo, mazuelo), Marqués de Villalúa (Zalema), Orvalaiz Rosado(Garnacha)
• Price: 100 RMB includes 4 pours of selected wines from Spain plus free flow Spanish tapas
  
• Music: Flamenco
• Reservations: contact v.muedra@mpc2008.com or call 6773-4688.

Pre-Dinner Drink Destinations to Knock Your Socks Off

Sanlitun has got new venues popping up every other day it seems.

So it’s a good thing you have LumDimSum to weed the good ones out and get the word out.

Three delightful new venues that have knocked my socks off:

• Apothecary – located next to Mosto, on the 3rd floor of Nali Patio

Run by the owners of the Japanese whisky bar Er in Maizidian & Chef Max Levy from Bei in the Opposite House, this is a no-brainer recipe for success.  Barely open for a few weeks, Apothecary has already accumulated record buzz for its quality drinks and Creole dining menu, which closely resembles my recent dining experience at Nola, but with more bar-friendly dishes and presentation.

• Tryst – located next to Alameda in the alley way across from the Sanlitun Village & Nali Patio

Only 20 square meters in size, this cozy, little joint is one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous bars I’ve seen.  Stunning interior design with elegant wallpaper, a crystal chandelier, and timeless antique pieces used for decor, Tryst is perfect for a romantic rendezvous, a destination for an intimate pre-dinner or post-dinner cocktail. And their cocktails were perfected by bar professional Jake Logsdon, so be careful to pace yourself because the drinks are all pretty stiff.

• Club Décolleté – Located in 1949- The Hidden City along with Duck de Chine, Noodle Bar, Taverna, and Club Glen

A dazzling and glamorous champagne bar inspired by the 1920’s Art Nouveau movement, recognized for its look of timeless elegance and class, Club Décolleté is an ideal venue for a romantic rendezvous, a girls’ night out, or an exclusive celebration. Club Décolleté boasts a fine selection of champagne cocktails, fresh fruit daiquiris, and champagne by the bottle. Champagne lovers will also be pleased to sample premium selection of champagnes available in tasting flights.

LumDimSum’s Gallery of Club Decollete’s Opening Party

Congratulations to Wilfred Kwok, successful owner of Glen Boutique Bar, Oden and newly opened Club Glen & Club Decollete in 1949-The Hidden City.

Club Decollete opened last night, Wednesday, December 2nd with an endless supply of champagne, cocktails, live saxophone, and tapas courtesy of 1/5 Taverna. EventPod also featured a live slideshow of all photos throughout the night!

You can check out the entire database of photos from Club Decollete’s Opening Party here.

But here’s a taste of Club Decollete’s Opening with LumDimSum’s photo gallery highlights:

Oodles of Noodles

1949′s got a lot of people talking about their newest additions: Club Décolleté and Club Glen (replacing 1/5 Taverna’s previous bar).  Club Décolleté is a dazzling new champagne bar with beautiful sparkling cocktails and fresh sparkling daiquiris where Club Glen is a member’s only lounge featuring premium whisky and cigars. Both venues providing a nice balance for both lovely ladies and gentlemen in each respective venue.

Aside from these two new additions, 1949-The Hidden City is also home to eateries such as 1/5 Taverna, Duck de Chine, Sugar Bar, and the quaint and cozy Noodle Bar, the smallest of 1949′s venues. With only 12 seats around the noodle station, guests quickly come and go for delicious bowls of noodles with high-quality ingredients and kung-fu chefs hand-pulling wheat noodles in front of you.

The Noodle Bar concept is quite direct – a concise menu with simple dishes, clearly specializing in big bowls of beef noodle soup (with beef brisket, beef tendon, or beef tripe), veggie dishes, and about 5 cold appetizer dishes. I recommend ordering the set menu for RMB 42 (bowl of beef brisket, tendon and tripe noodles with a small appetizer and Oolong Tea). With only 12 seats in total, this is a great spot for a quick, casual lunch with a friend or two (not more considering the limited seats).  It’s small and cozy rather than intimate and romantic. It’s not pretentious or aiming to be anything more than simply what it is: A Noodle Bar.

Noodle Bar Review: At 1949- The Hidden City. Courtyard 4, Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Sanlitun. Opposite Pacific Century Place South gate. Tel: 6501-1949

Best Part:

• Delicious bowls of beef noodle soup
• Nice Set Lunch Option for RMB 42 (Combo of Beef noodles, small appetizer and tea)
• Wait isn’t long (people come, eat, and leave rather quickly)
• Cozy setting and casual atmosphere with chefs hand-pulling noodles in front of you

Comments:

• There are only 12 seats, so it’s a bit complicated to arrive with more than 2 other people and expect to sit together.
• Not really a place to sit and chat and hang out (there’s more of an ‘eat-and-leave’ mentality)

I recommend this venue as a quick, casual lunch destination for people who love oodles of noodles for a reasonable price.

King of Ducks

If there is a visitor in Beijing, regardless if they are here on business or pleasure, their priority for dining should always be BEIJING DUCK.  End of discussion.

Here’s a list of my top 5 picks for Beijing Roast Duck (北京烤鸭):

1.  Made in China – Hands down my favorite duck restaurant. Best duck to ever touch my palette, great overall menu, and beautiful interior design.  Only down-side is that it’s located in a hotel and you need to make a reservation to get a table a few days in advance. A bit on the pricier side, but worth every penny.

2. Xiao Wang Fu 小王府 - If I’m not trying to impress any out-of-town guests and the priority is good value, then I opt for Xiao Wang Fu, a popular chain of duck restaurants with a good selection of classic Chinese dishes for a very reasonable price.

3. Duck de Chine - A place to impress visitors or business clients, the interior is exquisite and I’m sold by their special duck sauce (plum sauce with swirls of peanut and sesame sauce topped with roasted garlic). My mouth waters just thinking about it.  Great food, even better ambiance, so-so service, and expect to pay a pretty penny.

4. Da Dong大董烤鸭店- Often referred to as the Best Duck in Town, I think their duck does not even touch Made in China’s melt-in-your-mouth Beijing Duck.  They claim their duck is more lean and they have a few chain restaurants in town, and have also recently expanded upon their already extensive menu.

5. Li Qun 利群烤鸭店 - Tucked away and difficult to find, but a great destination for the more adventurous tourists on a budget.  Great duck for good value and a very authentic Chinese restaurant in terms of good food served in a poorly maintained establishment and lack of service.

In the past 3 years, I’ve been to many of the city’s top duck restaurants, but when a friend of a friend from high school came into town for only one day, I was eager to impress them with one of the city’s newest additions to the list of top duck restaurants: I introduced them to Duck de Chine, located in the factory-chic setting of 1949.

The setting was elegant, refined and upscale and the menu brings together recipes from both Chinese and French cuisine.  Within the restaurant, you feel like you could be anywhere in the world. The menu was extensive, the food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the duck was superb with the highlight of the experience being the special duck plum sauce with swirls of sesame and peanut sauce topped with roasted garlic. Brilliant. Another highlight of the evening was the Australian Lobster with E-Fu noodles and the Pan-Fried Beef Tenderloin.

Review of Duck de Chine: At 1949- The Hidden City: Courtyard 4, Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Sanlitun. Opposite Pacific Century Place South gate. 北京朝阳区工体北路太平洋百货南门对面

Best Part:

• Their secret lies in their duck’s unique and innovative plum sauce, which combines sesame and peanut sauce together with roasted garlic. A heavenly combination and a perfect compliment for the Beijing Duck.
• The interior of the restaurant is exquisite and upscale, perfecting for impressing visitors
• The location of the restaurant within 1949 – The Hidden City makes it a great destination for dinner and drinks (just across the way from both Club Decollete & Club Glen).
• The menu is extensive with a lot of variety. Every dish was flavorful, delicious, and beautifully presented

Comments:

• It’s definitely on the pricier end of the list. Our table of 7 including wine and cocktails was over 3,000 RMB.
• Service was not up-to-par with the restaurant’s ambiance and product. There were quite a few mix-ups with our order and the waiter could not get a single drink right the entire night (kept bringing drinks to the wrong people/re-filling the wrong glasses).
• Bathrooms are down a flight of stairs.
• Definitely a place for impressing visitors/clients rather than a destination for locals.

Ladies First: Club Décolleté

Tonight, Beijing just got a little more class with the unofficial, soft-opening of Club Décolleté in 1949 – The Hidden City.

A dazzling and glamorous champagne bar with a look of timeless elegance and class, Club Décolleté is destined to shine as the ultimate champagne bar for Beijing’s beautiful elite.

As explained by owner & creator, Wilfred Kwok (also owner of Glen Boutique Bar), Club Décolleté’s interior design was simulated to mirror the exquisite and gracious design of the prestigious cuvée Perrier-Jouët Champagne bottle. Décolleté’s canvas-textured walls were hand-painted with floral patterns lined with gold and its bold color combination of green and orange emulate the Art Deco style of Cartier’s 1920’s collection design style of sleek, streamlined forms to convey elegance and sophistication.  Dressed in velvet with plush sofa seating combined with the playful touch of French café style seating featuring Kartell’s modern and innovative Italian furniture, the intimate proportions and plush décor create an environment of comfortable luxury.

Located within the brick walls of 1949-The Hidden City, Club Décolleté is a jewel box within this entertainment courtyard oasis of dining, art and culture.  From its hand-painted walls to the sensual curves along the luminous gold bar, Club Décolleté upholds a sense of heritage and aesthetics, creativity, expertise, and a blend of art and innovation.

With its captivating femininity and sensuality, this deliciously decadent champagne bar is designed with women in mind and irresistible for champagne lovers alike with its suave, sophisticated, distinguished and classic yet contemporary nature.

This haven of style is an ideal venue for a romantic rendezvous, a girls’ night out, or an exclusive celebration. Club Décolleté boasts a fine selection of champagne cocktails, fresh fruit daiquiris, and champagne by the bottle.  In time, Décolleté will also serve a delectable assortment of tapas, fresh oysters, caviar, cheeses and desserts.

The seamless fusion of elegance and luxury and a passion for uncompromising service and quality makes Club Décolleté an experience that is indulgent and truly unforgettable.

Club Décolleté is a place to celebrate and be celebrated.

Club Décolleté: First floor bar in 1949-The Hidden City, Attached to 1/5 Taverna and directly across from Sugar Bar. Gongti Bei lu, behind Pacific Century Mall.

Best Part:

• It’s a venue designed for elegant, classy women (men will not be allowed in unless they are accompanied by women)
• It’s all about the bubbly.
• With Wilfred Kwok behind Décolleté, you can rest assured that every cocktail will be made to perfection
• From Thursday-Saturday nights the music features a DJ with a live instrument (tonight had the sax)
• It’s small & intimate
• It’s still a secret – as it literally JUST opened its doors to the public tonight

Comments:

• Club Décolleté has not officially opened yet, they are still using a temporary menu and have yet to start serving off their food menu, which is unavailable at this stage.  *I’m anxious to try chocolate covered strawberries with my champagne cocktail.
• Unless you know 1949, it’s quite difficult to explain to people how to get here. I just don’t get how people living in Beijing have never been to 1949 until now.
• Will be interesting to see how the dynamics of Décolleté will change once Club Glen opens just upstairs (member’s only lounge specializing in premium whiskeys and cigars).

Quintessentially Chic candy&caviar

If you don’t know Candy Lin and you’ve never heard of candy&caviar, I’m about to give you the inside scoop.

A fellow Fashionista and my very best friend, Candy (founder & designer of candy&caviar fashion label) is someone I can relate to in a lot of ways – she’s also from California, she’s super positive, bubbly and she’s always excited…all the time.  And she’s got a lot to be excited about with the release of her 2010 lookbook and the launch of her new webstore on candy&caviar‘s website.

will.i.am sporting candy&caviar Oliver vest

candy&caviar is Candy’s fashion label and what she likes to call her ‘labor of love.’ Thoroughly attached to every aspect of design and production, from picking out the menswear tweed for a signature hooded vest, to defining the particular fit of a cropped swing coat, Candy spends countless hours poring over lush fabrics, glossy buttons, and colored thread in a never-ending quest for the perfect combination. Her unique design sensibility leads to the fusion of classic pearls and retro bow ties with take-notice bold leggings and heavy-duty metal zippers, for looks that are contemporary and free-spirited, yet luxurious and always gracefully pulled together.  An entrepreneurial USC communications major with a creative streak, Candy’s love for the fine arts, media, and all things fashion-related led to the creation of her clothing line, candy & caviar, in January 2008. Within just two years, candy&caviar is a fashion label already recognized by distinguished publications and international celebrities with Will.I.Am hooked on candy&caviar’s signature hoodie vests.

Will.I.Am wearing candy&caviar Christian vest

And just last week I was behind-the-scenes with Candy’s most recent photoshoot for the launch of her online webstore.  Utilizing the factory-chic setting of 1949 – The Hidden City, Candy featured her top picks from her 2010 Collection of candy&caviar. From the girls’ collection, we shot the trend-setting Madison – a tuxedo vest with black silk lining and double-zipper pockets, Edie – a hooded velvet blazer with front and sleeve zipper closure, and my personal favorite: the Hudson – a windbreaker with grey satin lining, thumbhole detail and cotton hood. From the men’s collection, we also featured the Hudson windbreaker along with the Preston – hooded zipper cardigan and Nathaniel – hooded double-layer blazer.  See here some behind-the-scene photos:

And for the final product, check out candy&caviar’s webstore:

candy&caviar Preston Cardigan & Hudson Windbreaker

*Shout out to my ‘assistant’ Christian, models Brandon & Monica & photographer Matthew Niederhauser

Now that you’ve got the down-low on Candy’s very own candy&caviar fashion label, I encourage you to check out the candy&caviar webstore where you can place orders online or visit the candy&caviar Beijing showroom at China Central Place. When you find yourself hooked like me, you’ll be happy to know that this is just the beginning for candy&caviar.

“I live to inspire and be inspired. What Andy Warhol has done for pop art, what Frank Gehry has done for architecture and what Run DMC have done for hip-hop is what I want to do for fashion.” – Candy Lin

Not only is this little bundle of energy a pleasure to know, Candy’s got a heart of gold, she’s brilliantly creative, incredibly hard-working, and driven by her passion for fashion and to make her mark on the world, starting with candy&caviar.

A Tour of ‘The New Beijing’

It seems like a lifetime ago, but when I first moved to Beijing in 2006, I came as a student to study Mandarin at World Link Education.  Back in those days, everything was all play and stress-free – ah, the life as a student.  My crew’s regular hangout spot was Together Bar (which was recently demolished this summer and replaced with a park) and our regular party spots included none other than Babyface, Cargo, Bar Blu, Kai Bar, Suzie Wong’s and Vics (before the re-model).

Since then, so much has changed in Beijing pre and post the 2008 Olympics.

This October holiday, my best friend from World Link, Sophia Gericke came back to visit for 10 days – a visit that has been both refreshing and eye-opening.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the small things and forget to see the big picture.  It’s hard to imagine that only a year ago, there was no Sanlitun Village, there was no Opposite House, no Bling, no Solana, no Legation Quarter, etc. etc.

With Sophia back in Beijing after a 3 years, I wanted her to experience the best of what I like to call, ‘The New Beijing’.

Having already lived in Beijing, Sophia had no interest in seeing any tourist attractions, so I was able to really give her a taste of Beijing’s new and improved dining and nightlife scene.

Here’s what the 10 day tour consisted of:

1. Sanlitun Village (Hatsune, Karaiya, Blue Frog for drinks, Panino Teca)
2. Opposite House (Alan’s Hotel Party in one of the suites, Mesh & Punk)
3. Solana (All-Star & Bling)
4. Legation Quarter Tour & dinner @ Capital M (Qianmen Pedestrian Street)
5. Park Hyatt’s Xiu
6. Olympic Green (complete with attending the Turandot Opera in Bird’s Nest)
7. 1949-The Hidden City: Club Décolleté, Club Glen, Sugar Cafe, Well Bar
8. Scarlett (Hotel G)
9. Glen Boutique Bar & Oden
10. d lounge
    

    Keep it Gangsta Party @ BLING

11. Vics (renovated)
12. Block 8‘s Ruby Khi (renovated)
13. Suzie Wong’s (unchanged)
14. Chocolate Club
15. Vineyard Cafe (best Sunday brunch)
16. Chef Too (Sunday brunch)
17. Regency Taipan (massage)
18. PurpleJade Country Club (spa)