Looking Delightfully Delish: Agua’s New Summer Menu

Looking fresh and vibrant, Agua’s star chef Jordi has worked his magic to recreate a new summer menu for all to enjoy!  I have yet to sample the menu myself, but by the looks of it, I’m already salivating!

See below details to book your next reservation at Agua, located on the 4th floor of Nali Patio (above Apothecary).

Gobble Gobble: Best Thanksgiving Deals in Town

Considering Beijing is such a internationally diverse city, I was surprised to see how many people get excited about American Thanksgiving! But I guess rather than being celebrated as a religious or historical holiday, Thanksgiving is more of an excuse to gather friends and family over an incredibly good feast.  And who doesn’t enjoy that??

With Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching, Beijing’s restaurant scene is having a field day.  Everyone and their mom is having a special Thanksgiving buffet or special set menu.  While I prefer a traditionally home-cooked meal, many who are crammed and just too busy to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen will be happy to know that there is an abundance of amazing venues who would be more than happy to host your friends and loved ones over a massive turkey feast.

Thanksgiving Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. All-Star‘s Thanksgiving Turkey Buffet Dinner -

Enjoy a Succulent Turkey Feast with Home-Cooked Fixings. Only RMB 199 per person (Kids under 12 years old are half price)

RSVP: 5905-6999

2. Apothecary –

Known for their Fried Chicken Sundays, Chef Max Levy is switching from fried chicken to fried turkey this Thanksgiving!

Enjoy 7 dishes including crawfish & pumpkin soup, fried turkey, sweet potato fries for RMB 150. RSVP: 5208 6040

3.  Blue Frog -

A 3-course set menu including roasted squash and apple soup, Thanksgiving turkey and sides, and a bourbon pumpkin pie + soft drink and glass of wine.  RMB 200 per person (RMB 90 for kids).  RSVP: 6417 4030

4. Bread of Life Bakery –

Your savior for traditional holiday pies, cakes and breads including Carrot Cake 180, Pumpkin Roll Cake 180, Chocolate Cake 180, Pumpkin Pie 90, Pecan Pie 140, Apple Crumb Pie 100, Dinner Rolls & Breads, Cookies & Muffins & Cinnamon Rolls.

Minimum order RMB 200, they deliver to your door and deadline for delivery is min. 24 hours in advance. Call 13722622865

5. Maison Boulud –

5-course elegant Thanksgiving dinner for RMB 428 + 15% service charge. RSVP: 6559 9200

6. The Orchard –

Includes a roasted turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings with live jazz in the covered courtyard space. RMB 220 (includes tea or coffee). RSVP required: 64336270

7. SALT –

Enjoy a 5-course menu for RMB 298 per person.  Mains include turkey breast, beef tenderloin steak, pecan crusted salmon or wild mushroom risotto. RSVP: 6437-8457.

8. SWITCH!

3-course menu including oven-roasted grain-fed turkey and all the fixings for RMB 188 per person (kids under 8 eat for free).

If you are having Thanksgiving dinner in the comfort of home, you can also order a whole roasted turkey with all the fixings to feed the entire family for 850 RMB.

For reservations & orders, call Jenny at 136 9338 6984 or 5978 4918 or email bookings to jenny.zheng@culinarycapers.cn

…And that’s a wrap

Enjoy your Turkey Comas!

*Gobble Gobble*

Agua Makes a Big Comeback in Nali

With the opening of a fine dining establishment such as Agua, I think the entire reputation of Nali Patio just stepped up a notch.

The original home of Let’s Burger, Mosto, Niajo and Mughal’s, Nali Patio has improved ten-fold with new happening spaces such as Apothecary, Migas, Enoterra and now the high-end Spanish restaurant Agua with Chef Jordi and his highly sought-after suckling pig.

Having just recently opened its doors for the first time since its move from Ch’ien Men 23 aka Legation Quarter, Agua re-opens with a Private Kitchen Menu by Chef Jordi inclusive of a sampling of 3 delicious Tapitas followed by a four-course meal for only RMB 308 per person.

Having dined several times at its original location in Ch’ien Men, I was surprised to see how much the decor and style of the venue has changed.  From it’s bright red walls and grandeur columns all around, Agua now features a high ceiling and a big, open space surrounded by all-white brick walls and minimalistic decor.  There is a bar at the entrance, two beautiful private dining rooms and Agua will open a rooftop terrace during the warmer summer months.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Agua’s Interior:

Main Entrance and Bar

Kitchen Window & Semi-Circle Dining Booths

Entrance to Private Dining Rooms & One of two Private Dining Rooms

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the restaurant manager Richard Pirsch, who led us to our table and then Chef Jordi also came over to introduce the menu while Richard recommended some nice wines to pair with our meal.

Our meal began with the best tasting ham and mushroom croquette I have seriously ever tasted together with 3 Tapitas: Homemade Chorizo, Shrimps with garlic and herbs and Picadillo (marinated pork chunks in Spanish paprika). While I was a big fan of the shrimp, my fellow foodie favored the chorizo.

We were then served a Smoked Japanese mackerel with herbs  salad and diced tomato.  I thought the mackerel was an interesting choice for Agua to serve, but the fishy flavor was not as pungent or as tough as I had expected and it paired well with the tomatoes and herbs salad.

The pumpkin soup was probably the highlight of my meal. Never have I seen pumpkin soup served with a poached egg and I must say, it worked beautifully.  And it was a nice touch to have the waitstaff pour the pumpkin soup over the dish in front of you.

The main dish was a slow-cooked Wagyu veal cheek with marinated plums and beets.  Once again, the waitress came around and poured gravy over the meat, and as I sliced into the veal, the meat just fell apart. It was perfectly cooked and the flavors were a perfect balance of sweet (marinated plums) and savory (gravy and veal cheek).

To top it all off, we had Galician-style crepes with lemon custard, Greek yogurt and “Moscatel Oro” ice cream. I’m glad the portion was small because by this point, I was already a stuffed Humpty Dumpty and to be perfectly honest, this was the low-point of the meal.  I normally love natural Greek yogurt but the sour flavor was a bit overwhelming in this dessert and with a sweet tooth like mine, I guess I prefer rich chocolate or something sweeter rather than sour at the end of a big meal.

Overall, it was a wonderful meal and a very satisfying experience (round of applause for Chef Jordi, Richard and their team) and it should be noted that this meal is great value for only RMB 308 per person.  I will definitely be back to check out the entire menu and in their future tasting menu, they promise to feature their famous suckling pig as the main entree, served table-side!

A few other things to look forward to – Next week, Agua begins serving its full a la carte menu with a new tasting menu and in two weeks, Agua will launch its lunch menu – 2 courses for RMB 88 and 3 courses for RMB 98.

Review of Agua: Above Apothecary, next to Enoterra, 4th Floor of Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, 三里屯北路81号那里花园3层, Tel: 6559-6266

Best Part:

• Best suckling pig in town
• Chef Jordi is one of the most talented chefs in Beijing
• Expect very professional service and special treatment from both the restaurant manager and Chef Jordi himself
• A very high-end New York restaurant decor with white brick walls, low lighting and minimalistic decor
• Cozy ambiance with nice booth or table seating to choose from.
• Beautiful VIP rooms in the back surrounded in glass.
• Will launch a set lunch menu: RMB 68 for 2-courses or RMB 98 for 3-courses.

Comments:

• Considering they’ve just opened, the standard of service was very impressive and every step of the meal was transitioned and executed smoothly and professionally.
• While each dish of Jordi’s Private Kitchen Tasting Menu was all very good, little croquette aside, there was not really one course that made my jaw drop…and perhaps that’s because Jordi’s suckling pig was not one of the dishes served tonight.
• It’s wonderful to see Nali develop over the past few years and I am certain that Agua alone will raise the reputation of Nali Patio as one of Beijing’s top dining destinations.
• Nali Patio is now Spanish Restaurant Central: Carmen, Migas, Niajo and now Agua!

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

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

LumDimSummary: Enoterra’s Grand Opening Party

Enoterra (once known as Enoteca) has been a long-time favorite of mine and I am thrilled they have moved into the Sanlitun ‘hood.

With the best wine deals in town along with plenty of wine tasting events and weekly promotions, I have no doubt Enoteca will find its new home more than an improvement from before at The Place. The new venue design is the perfect balance of cozy, stylish and perfect for anything from pre- or post-dinner drinks to a wine night out with friends.

It’s like the new Apothecary, but with wine.

Wine fanatics beware -  the wine specials at Enoterra are not a bargain, they are a steal.

Happy hour every day from 5-8PM is buy-one-get-one-free and every Friday, bottles of wine are RMB 200 and champagne is only RMB 500. And their management is not only extremely professional, they always make the best recommendations.

With bottles of wine going for RMB 100 each and live music throughout the evening, Enoterra’s Grand Opening Party was a big hit and I have no doubt this will quickly become a favorite drinks destination for many Beijingers.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Enoterra’s Opening Party:

TERRA Replaces Rickshaw

By the same culinary geniuses behind SALT (and before that Alameda), TERRA is a new cevicheria and bar that has taken over what was once The Rickshaw.  Once a shabby, run-down joint is now slick and brand-spanking new.  Although TERRA has kept the building’s exterior shape intact, their team has replaced absolutely everything else inside and replaced the walls with glass (according to PR chief, Jennifer Eden).

With a menu serving Peruvian-inspired dishes with an emphasis around delicious ceviches (seafood flavored with citrus fruits), the 2-story restaurant features a ceviche bar on the first floor with the main dining restaurant and full-service bar upstairs serving “boutique” beers, healthy cocktails and an extensive selection of fine wines.

“Drawing on the ages old traditions of ceviche – fruits of the sea delicately seared in citrus and perfectly balanced with fresh herbs and flavors – TERRA presents a cevicheria with a large selection of tempting treats as well as contemporary cuisine with Peruvian inspirations.“

The decor is contemporary and fresh with black wood furniture and a high bar area with stools. While the outside is mostly sprayed with blotches of black paint, insiders will still have a nice view of Sanlitun Nanlu through the glass walls.

First Floor Ceviche Bar/Second Floor Full-Service Bar:

Opening Party Pics:

While Alameda still remains consistent with their unbeatable lunch deal (click for article), it’s great to have Gaby back in the Sanlitun hood.  In addition to serving a great lunch, I have no doubt that TERRA will quickly become known as the new “after-work drinks” destination and start to give Apothecary a run for their money.  Only time can tell…

Congratulations to Gaby Alves and her unstoppable team on a successful new restaurant opening!

TERRA:

• Hours: Open 11AM-1AM daily.
• Address: 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, 三里屯南路1号
• Tel: 6591-9148

CW Reader’s Choice Awards vs. LumDimSum

Unlike theBeijinger and Time Out magazines, CityWeekend lumps both the Dining & Nightlife Award Categories into one evening rather than split it up into two events. And for the first time this year, CityWeekend changed it up and actually kept the vote count visible to the public and made sure that every voter had a validated CW User Name Account.

If you are interested in comparing results, check out theBeijinger Restaurant Awards Breakdown posted here.  Time Out’s Restaurant Awards Breakdown is posted here.

I unfortunately was not in Beijing to attend the CityWeekend’s awards ceremony at Brasserie Flo, but word on the street was that it was packed and the turn-out was impressive.

If you haven’t seen the results already, here is a LumDimSummary Breakdown of all the winners in both the Restaurant & Bar Awards Categories:

CityWeekend’s Awards for Best Dining Categories:

• Best New Restaurant of the Year:

  • CW Winner: Tamarind

  • LumDimSum Vote: Capital M

• Restaurant of the Year:

  • CW Winner: SALT

  • LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune

• Chinese Restaurant of the Year:

  • CW Winner: Zen5es

  • LumDimSum Vote: Karaiya Spice House

• Most Romantic:

  • CW Winner: Jaan

  • LumDimSum Vote: Capital M

• Best Value:

  • CW Winner: Kiosk

  • LumDimSum Vote: Biteapitta

• Chef of the Year:

  • CW Winner: Mario Cittadini

  • LumDimSum Vote: Max Levy – Bei/Apothecary

• Best Service:
  

  • CW Winner: Maison Boulud

  • LumDimSum Vote: Maison Boulud

• Best Mexican/Tex-Mex:

  • CW Winner: Casa Latina

  • LumDimSum Vote: Casa Latina

• Best Italian:
  

  • CW Winner: Prego

  • LumDimSum Vote: Metro

• Best Japanese:

  • CW Winner: Nishimura

  • LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune

• Best French:

  • CW Winner: Maison Boulud

  • LumDimSum Vote: Maison Boulud

• Best Thai:

  • CW Winner: Purple Haze

  • LumDimSum Vote: Aroy-D (by Fulicheng)

• Best American:

  • CW Winner: Chef Too

  • LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

• Best Indian:

  • CW Winner: Mughal’s

  • LumDimSum Vote: Punjabi

• Best Middle-Eastern:

  • CW Winner: 1001 Nights

  • LumDimSum Vote: Biteapitta

• Best Beijing Duck:

  • CW Winner: Fat Duck

  • LumDimSum Vote: Made in China (Grand Hyatt)

• Best Hot Pot:

  • CW Winner: Ding Ding Xiang

  • LumDimSum Vote: Hai Di Lao

• Best Burger:

  • CW Winner: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

  • LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

• Best Pizza:

  • CW Winner: The Tree

  • LumDimSum Vote: The Tree

• Best Dessert:

  • CW Winner: Din Tai Fung

  • LumDimSum Vote: Comptoirs de France

• Best Steakhouse:

  • CW Winner: Grange (Westin Chaoyang)

  • LumDimSum Vote: Meat & Wine Co. (but it’s closed now)    I will need to find a new favorite steakhouse…
    

• Best Wine Selection:

  • CW Winner: Enoteca

  • LumDimSum Vote: Palette Vino

• Best Buffet:

  • CW Winner: Seasonal Tastes

  • LumDimSum Vote: Westin Chaoyang

• Best Sunday Brunch:

  • CW Winner: Bubbalicious (Westin Chaoyang)

  • LumDimSum Vote: Orchard

• Best for Families:

  • CW Winner: Din Tai Fung, Seasonal Tastes (Tie)

  • LumDimSum Vote: Orchard

CityWeekend’s Awards for Best Bar/Club Categories:

• Club of the Year:

  • CW Winner: Mix

  • LumDimSum Vote: Bling

• Bar of the Year:
  

  • CW Winner: Apothecary

  • LumDimSum Vote: Apothecary

• Nightlife Newcomer of the Year:

  • CW Winner: White Rabbit

  • LumDimSum Vote: Fubar

• Best Local Band of the Year:

  • CW Winner: The Redbucks

  • LumDimSum Vote:  The Redbucks

• Beijing-Based DJ of the Year:

  • CW Winner: DJ Blackie

  • LumDimSum Vote:  DJ KEZA

• Best Alfresco Drinking:

  • CW Winner: XIU

  • LumDimSum Vote: Q Bar

• Best Live Music:

  • CW Winner: Mao Live House

  • LumDimSum Vote: Yugong Yishan

• Best Cocktails:

  • CW Winner: Mix-The Westin Beijing Chaoyang

  • LumDimSum Vote: Glen

• Best Place for Singles:

  • CW Winner: Mix

  • LumDimSum Vote: Bling

• Best for Dancing:

  • CW Winner: GT Banana

  • LumDimSum Vote: BLING

• Best Sports Bar:
  

  • CW Winner: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

  • LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

• Hardest Bar to Find:

  • CW Winner: Fubar Peking

  • LumDimSum Vote: Club Obiwan

• Best Pub Grub:
  

  • CW Winner: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

  • LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

• Best Fruit Plate:

  • CW Winner: Destination

  • LumDimSum Vote: Bling

• Best Promoter:

  • CW Winner: Street Hustle Promotions

  • LumDimSum Vote: Acupuncture

Time to Speak Up: theBeijinger 2010 Bar Awards

theBeijinger is switching things up in more ways than one.

Already beginning the initial phases of their magazine face-lift, theBeijinger most recently announced that voting for their 7th
Annual Reader Bar & Club Awards have commenced. This year, they have not only revised their nomination categories, voters can now choose their first, second and third favorite in ranking order (out of 8-13 choices) for every category.

theBeijinger 2010 Bar Awards Categories this year include:

• Best Cocktails
• Best Individual Cocktail
• Best Cheap Drinks
• Most Reliable Drinks
• Best Whiskey Bar
• Best Wine
• Best Beer
• Best Bartender
• Best Daily Happy Hour
• Best Ladies Night
• Best Regular Event
• Best Quiz Night
• Best Live Rock Venue
• Best Live Jazz Venue
• Most Beautiful People
• Friendliest Crowd
• Best Service
• Best Place to Find a Date
• Best Place to Bring a Date
• Sexiest Bar Staff
• Best Bar Food
• Best Late-Night Dining
• Best Hotel bar
• Best Student Hangout
• Best Nightclub
• Best Sportsbar
• Best Lounge
• Best Place for Dancing
• Best Business Networking
• Best Hidden Gem
• Best After-Hours Club
• Best Party of the Year
• Best New Bar/Club
• Bar/Club of the Year

Bars/Clubs with most category nominations include:

• Fu Bar
• Punk @ Opposite House
• d lounge
• Xiu @ Park Hyatt
• Apothecary
• Lush
• Centro @ Kerry Centre
• Q Bar

Vote now for your top picks here.

*Voting Ends May 6 & Bar/Club Awards Party Set for May 13 @ Mako Live House

You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

For the month of March, it’s been non-stop birthday madness!

I swear, it seems like every day is someone’s birthday. If it’s not a birthday dinner at Hatsune, it’s birthday drinks at Apothecary/d.lounge or a proper birthday party at Bling/Xiu/Suzies….you get the idea. If anything, this month has just been more excuses to celebrate!

So naturally, for any given birthday party, you can appropriately expect to find a pretty fabulous birthday cake whether it’s homemade or courtesy of 21cake.com or Comptoires de France (I’m a big fan of their rich, chocolate fudge cake).

And a recent discovery I’ve made – Lollipop Bakery, the most delightful cupcakes in Beijing!!  After cupcakes have taken the US by storm, someone FINALLY brings proper cupcakes to China’s capital.  Having sponsored International Women’s Day, Lollipop Bakery made a big impression on everyone, especially me. Finding these beautiful, precious little desserts have been such a breath of fresh air.  I’m telling you, cupcakes are now the way to go.

Every cupcake made fresh to order, with quality, imported ingredients, they come in basic flavors – Classic Vanilla, Classic Chocolate, Red Velvet and Earl Grey. RMB 200-220 per dozen cupcakes. They can cater to your needs whether it be a giant cupcake, mini cupcakes, special flavors or specially designed frosting.

For orders,  just email Lexie, aka the “Cupcake Girl” : Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn or phone: 13552772683

*Note: Order 24 hours in advance, minimum order is 2 dozen cupcakes (Free delivery within 3rd Ring Road)

But out of all the birthday celebrations this month, I’ve got to give it to Cody’s birthday cake – the most glorious homemade birthday cake I’ve ever seen.  Completely original with bright colors bursting out and cookie crumbs on top, never have I seen such a unique cake, something that was created after hours of labored love.

The picture speaks for itself.

Cody's Glorious Birthday Cake

March Birthday Shout-Outs:

• Mike Chen aka Big Mike
• Cody Leung
• Matthew Van der Zwan
• Jennifer Mao-Jones
• Blake Stone-Banks
• Lee Mack
• Jamie Kung
• Omar
• Christian Liu
• Rebecca Karlstrom
• DJ Keza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIENDS!!!! Nothing but Love, xoxo

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.