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LUMDIMSUM'S TOP 5 PICKS

Nathan’s New Salad Wraps & Jinshisong Delivery

Posted: February 4th, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene, Hot Tips | Tags: Biteapitta, Blue Frog, Colibri, Crepanini, Delivery, Flamme, Hatsune, Jinshisong.com, Kagen, Karaiya Spice House, Kro's Nest, La Pizza, Nathan's Famous, Raffles Mall, Union Bar & Grill, Wanliu BHG Mall | No Comments »

Most of you who follow LumDimSum.com know that I am always looking for a healthier option (should a healthy option be available) whenever I’m eating out.

So instead of stuffing myself with Nathan’s 100% pure beef hot dogs and chili cheese fries multiple times per week, I am now stoked to be eating (and sharing with you) their newest menu items: 3 New Savory Salad Wraps!

Available in three flavors: Spicy Chicken Tender Salad Wrap, Phillycheese Steak Salad Wrap and a warm, buttery imported Lobster Sensation Wrap (my personal favorite), these are hands-down my new go-to menu items!

Aside from being a healthier choice, these wraps are so freaking good and such great value – priced at RMB 15-25 if ordered alone and if you want to be extra healthy, you can also switch out the side of Nathan’s crinkle cut fries for a bowl of steamed corn (another favorite of mine) and a drink for only RMB 27-37 for a complete combo meal.

For those who prefer to eat in the comfort of your home, Nathan’s is now partnering up with Beijing’s Best Delivery Service - Jinshisong Delivery!

To get Nathan’s delivered straight to your door, just call 4000300517 or you can even order directly online and save the headache of speaking to anyone over the phone: Click here to order Nathan’s on Jinshisong’s website.

Aside from Nathan’s, Jinshisong also delivers many other great restaurant options including:

  • Kro’s Nest
  • Blue Frog
  • Hatsune
  • Flamme
  • Union Bar & Grill
  • Karaiya Spice House
  • Kagen Japanese Restaurant
  • Colibri Cafe
  • Biteapitta
  • Crepanini
  • La Pizza

And the list of restaurants continues…check out full list of restaurants here.

Nathan’s Famous Contact Details: 

  • Dongzhimen Raffles City Branch 

    • Address: Raffles City Shopping Mall B1-07, No.1 Dongzhimen South Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing
    • Hours: 8:30AM-10:00PM
  • Wanliu BHG Mall

    • Address: Beijing Wanliu Shopping Mall, No. 2 BaGou Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing (Located just outside of Ba Gou Subway Stop, the last stop on Line 10)
    • Hours: 9:30AM-9:30PM
  • Mastercard (Wukesong) Stadium

    • Address: No.69 Fuxing Road, Haidian District
    • Open for events

The Veggie Table: Beijing’s Vegan Center

Posted: January 31st, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Barolo, Bespoke Beijing, Biteapitta, Chinese New Year, dessert, Laura Fanelli, organic, Ritz-Carlton, The Urban Edit, The Veggie Table, vegan | 2 Comments »

The Veggie Table has been at the top of my restaurant hit list for some time now, but you’d be surprised how difficult it is to convince meat eaters to try a vegetarian restaurant!  Considering The Veggie Table is purely vegan and about as organic as you can get in Beijing, you can imagine why it took me so long to find a fellow foodie to finally dine with me at a vegan restaurant!

While some may be turned off by words like “vegan” and “organic”, I am very much curious to find out more and always eager to turn towards a more health-conscious diet. And just the name “Veggie Table” is friggin’ adorable. I love their logo and the restaurant itself is very casual and cute with a strong hippie vibe.  So I’m being very honest when I say that before even setting foot in Veggie Table, I had high hopes for this restaurant to really live up to its claim as “Your vegan center in Beijing”.

Veggie Table’s Bar and Dessert Counter by the Entrance

Some of you may have seen my previous post of Veggie Table, where I left sorely disappointed and very much frustrated with their lack of customer service and how poorly they handled the situation, but in spite of this negative first impression, I also left with a piece of fresh, out-of-the-oven carrot cake that was so good, it relinquished all prior frustrations as forgiven.

So that leaves me to my next dining experience at Veggie Table, where I treated my vegetarian friend for his birthday dinner here. Just after Chinese New Year, the place was buzzing and vibes were really good.  The dining space has a high ceiling, comfy couches and lounge chairs to add to the laid back vibes. While we happily picked a table by the window, we immediately noticed that everything (especially the window sill) was covered in a layer of dust, our table was unstable and rocking back and forth throughout the dinner and although it’s a great space, it has not been well-kept since it opened just last year. That being said, it’s nothing a thorough clean couldn’t quickly fix.

Veggie Table’s Interior Dining Space

Since we came just after the Chinese New Year holiday, their menu only offered a limited selection since their owner/chef Laura Fanelli was not back from holiday. So unfortunately, I didn’t get to test out a friend’s recommendation to try their “stink out” burger, but we did work our way through the majority of their menu!  We started off by ordering a bottle of red – a beautiful Italian wine, 2003 Giovanni Rosso from Barolo at RMB 888, which is surprisingly high considering the high-end Italian restaurant Barolo in the Ritz Carlton sells this same bottle of wine for under RMB 800. I have a soft spot for hot alcoholic drinks, so I ordered a hot mulled wine (RMB 30) and was very much disappointed to find it both bitter and harsh. Every time I took a sip, it stung the back of my throat and I pretty much gave up half-way through the cup.

2003 Giovanni Rosso from Barolo (RMB 888)

Of all the dishes we ordered, the Hummus Spread (RMB 28 for small/RMB 38 for large) was good, but very mediocre and certainly not “the best in Beijing” as their menu claims.  I vote Biteapitta’s hummus to be much better than this one.  The chunky meat-free chili made from organic beans (RMB 25) was full of flavor and a perfect winter appetizer.  The Beet Salad with walnuts and prunes (RMB 22) was one of the highlights of our meal, in addition to the Shiitake Mushroom Burger (RMB 62) served with potato wedges and delicious, light coleslaw. Both the Dal Bhat, Indian lentil curry (RMB 65) and Vegetable Curry (RMB 60) were both very disappointing.  The lentils were bland and the vegetable curry had a strange sour taste and we couldn’t make out if it was supposed to be more like an Indian or Thai curry, but nothing we were familiar with.  Then again, I guess vegan food is in a genre of its own so it may be difficult or unfair to compare it to anything else.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Dishes at The Veggie Table: 

Ajvar Dip with Eggplant and Onions with Pitta bread (RMB 28) / Small Hummus Spread (RMB 28)

Chunky Meat-Free Chili Soup (RMB 25) / Beet Salad (RMB 22)

Dal Bhat, Indian Lentil Curry (RMB 65) / Vegetable Curry with Organic Brown Rice (RMB 60)

Shiitake Mushroom Burger with Potato Wedges and Coleslaw (RMB 62) / Sun-dried Tomato Organic Pasta (RMB 60)

Many of the dishes we ordered turned out to be quite a hit or miss. And unfortunately the same applies to their desserts.  After already being in love with their carrot cake (RMB 30), I was eager to try the rest of their dessert menu.  The edges of the Glazed Chocolate Bundt Cake (RMB 30) was a little bit dry, but the inside was still very moist and it was a very rich and delicious cake considering there is no butter, egg or dairy at all!

On the other hand, the Chocolate Fondant (RMB 35) took 40 minutes to come out after we ordered it and it was still completely liquid, so we sent it back to heat up a bit longer.  When it came back with better consistency – warm cake with a melted middle, the taste was still totally off.  Instead of it tasting like chocolate, it really just tasted like wheat bread dough.  I can’t tell you how strange it was to eat chocolate cake that tastes more like wheat bread. This was officially the first time I ever left a dessert unfinished. Not sure if it was just a flop because I can’t imagine that this would have turned out so strange if they’ve already totally nailed both carrot cake and a rich, chocolate bundt cake.

Glazed Chocolate Bundt Cake (RMB 30) / Chocolate Fondant (RMB 35)

Click here for previous LDS Article on Veggie Table’s amazing Carrot Cake:

Vegan Carrot Cake (RMB 30)

Other Reviews of Veggie Table:

  • Bespoke Beijing’s Urban Edit
  • Time Out
  • theBeijinger
  • CityWeekend
  • LocalNoodles

Review of Veggie Table: On the same street as The Vineyard – 19 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District  东城区五道营胡同19号; Tel: 6446 2073

Best Part:

  • The restaurant prides itself on serving a purely vegan and mostly organic menu.
  • Very much impressed by their desserts considering there is no butter and no eggs!  Chocolate cake was good, but I’m kind of in love with their carrot cake. 
  • Atmosphere is very casual and low key with a strong hippie/hipster vibe going on. 
  • I highly recommend their Beet Salad (RMB 22), Mushroom Burger (RMB 62) and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta (RMB 60)
  • Delicious fruit smoothies and juices.  
  • They also have an extensive list of organic wines and even a special winter drinks list include a Hot Apple Pie Cocktail and a Hot Chocolate with Rum, etc. 
  • Just knowing that everything is vegan makes me feel like I gained a few extra karma points that day. 

Comments:

  • The bathrooms are outside and they are typical public hutong bathrooms – smelly and freezing cold (in winter). One bonus: The Veggie Table does have a sink with soap and paper towels inside the restaurant though.
  • Service had a very aloof attitude which came off both slow and unfriendly. Dishes came out very slowly as well.
  • Music was quite eclectic.  Playing everything from Mongolian folk to Indian music, I think there was even some angry sounding Broadway music.  Some of it was lovely (I love Amadou & Mariam, but majority of the music played was distracting, quite odd and not appropriate dining music to be perfectly honest. 
  • Although the restaurant decor is unique and the vibe is chill, the restaurant itself is quite dusty and in dire need of a deep cleaning. I just hope their kitchen is more hygienic! (bit of a scary thought) 
  • Menu seems to have decreased in size since the first time I visited Veggie Table.  Now there are no pizzas and a smaller selection of burgers. But maybe this is just temporary until owner/chef Laura Fanelli returns from holiday.  I would be keen to try their pizza and I’m still dying to try their “stink out” burger! 
  • Many of the menu items were a hit or miss and very much over-priced for what you get.  While we loved the Beet Salad and the Mushroom Burger, the hummus was mediocre and certainly not “the best hummus in Beijing” as claimed on their menu.  The Indian lentil curry was bland and the Vegetable Curry was sour more than it was spicy. And RMB 60 for this bowl of vegetables in a sour soup? This was the biggest rip-off of all. 
  • Surprised there isn’t more variety of vegetable dishes – fresh green salads or just simple veggie soups and hot dishes that don’t all have to pretend to be like meat. I would have liked to see more tofu on the menu. 
  • The bottle of red wine we ordered was priced at RMB 888, which is even pricier than the same bottle of wine at Barolo, one of Beijing’s most high-end and expensive Italian restaurants. I find that discomforting. 
  • I have a soft spot for hot alcoholic drinks, but was severely disappointed with their mulled wine which I can only describe as harsh and bitter to drink. I gave up half-way through. 
  • Restaurant is not open on Tuesdays and I hear their dinners are generally quite busy, so try lunch instead or book a reservation in advance.

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

  • Food: 7
  • Atmosphere: 6
  • Service: 5
  • Overall Experience: 6

theBeijinger’s 8th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards: Hatsune Wins Best Japanese 7 Years Running

Posted: March 23rd, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Agua, Ai Jiang Shan, Ai Mo Town, Alameda, Alan Wong, Banh Mi Now!, Bellagio, Biteapitta, Black Sesame Kitchen, Brasserie Flo, Capital M, Casa Latina, Chef Too, Chi Fan for Charity, Chuan Ban, Crepanini, Da Dong, Dali Courtyard, Duck de Chine, Element Fresh, Enoterra, Fennel, Ganges, Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory, Haidilao, Hatsune, Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇, Hercules, Jin Ding Xuan, Joanna Crain, Kagen Teppanyaki, Karaiya Spice House, Lei Garden, Let's Burger, Little Yunnan, LMPLUS, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Michael Crain, Middle 8th Restaurant, Modo, Mosto, Muse, Punjabi, Pure Lotus, Purple Haze, Restaurant Awards, Saddle Cantina, Sadler Ristorante, SALT, Samadhi Teahouse, Saveurs de Coree, Sureno, The CUT Grill, The Orchard, The Tree, theBeijinger, Traktirr Pushkin, Vineyard Cafe, Westin Beijing Chaoyang, Xiao Wang Fu, Xu Xian Lou, Zenses | 2 Comments »

Beijinger Awards_Hatsune

On Monday, March 21, Hatsune took home Best Japanese for the 7th year running at theBeijinger’s Reader Restaurant Awards!

Considering this was theBeijinger’s 8th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards, that’s pretty much a perfect record.

Congratulations to Alan Wong, owner of the Hatsune Empire, for holding it strong and staying on top of the game 7 years straight.  That’s gotta be the longest-running record in town!

Get excited because this year Hatsune will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary in August 2011. If you thought Hatsune’s 9 year anniversary party and Chi Fan for Charity After Party was wild last year, you are in store for a treat this coming August.  Stay tuned for details….

Other big winners from the awards ceremony include:

  • Maison Boulud – Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Best French, Wine List, Most Romantic Meal, Best Service
  • Da Dong – Restaurant of the Year (Chinese), Best for Impressing Visitors, Best Beijing Duck, Best for Impressing Visitors
  • Capital M – Best high-end brunch, Afternoon Tea, Outdoor Dining,
  • Mosto – Best Business Lunch, Best Steak, & MODO got Best New Restaurant

For a complete list of all Beijinger Dining Awards Categories and Winners, click here.

Beijinger8Diningawards4Beijinger8Diningawards10

Maison Boulud & Da Dong Collect “Restaurant of the Year”

Beijinger8Diningawards11Beijinger8Diningawards8

Dali Courtyard / Capital M

Beijinger8Diningawards7Beijinger8Diningawards3Beijinger8Diningawards2

Modo / Agua / Biteapitta

Beijinger8Diningawards6Beijinger8Diningawards9

SALT / Gung Ho! Pizza

Beijinger8Diningawards5Beijinger8Diningawards12Beijinger8Dining Awards1Michael & Joanna Crain for Culinary Event of the Year: Chi Fan for Charity 2010!

While many of this year’s winners are very deserving of their awards, I was disappointed to see a few of my favorite restaurants without any recognition – Bei (in the Opposite House), Black Sesame Kitchen, Karaiya Spice House, and Madame Zhu’s Kitchen to name a few.  And I am really fed up with repeat winners  - Annie’s winning Best Italian (come on people, it’s not best delivery service), Ganges for Best Indian (really not that great), and Element Fresh for Best American, Best Sandwiches, and Best Affordable Brunch? I only approve of their smoothies and salads and boycott the rest.

theBeijinger’s Restaurant Award Winners vs. LumDimSum’s Votes:

Afternoon Tea

  • Beijinger Winner: Capital M
  • LumDimSum Vote: Capital M

American

  • Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh
  • LumDimSum Vote: Chef Too

Beijing Duck

  • Beijinger Winner: Da Dong
  • LumDimSum Vote: Made in China

Brunch (High-End)

  • Beijinger Winner: Capital M
  • LumDimSum Vote: Fennel

Brunch (Affordable)

  • Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh
  • LumDimSum Vote: Vineyard Cafe

Burger

  • Beijinger Winner: Let’s Burger
  • LumDimSum Vote: Let’s Burger

Business Lunch

  • Beijinger Winner: Mosto
  • LumDimSum Vote: Alameda

Cantonese (High-End)

  • Beijinger Winner: Lei Garden
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Zenses, Westin Beijing Chaoyang

Cantonese (Affordable)

  • Beijinger Winner: Jin Ding Xuan
  • LumDimSum Vote: Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇

Culinary Event of the Year

  • Beijinger Winner: Chi Fan for Charity (Nov 6, 2010)
  • LumDimSum Vote: Chi Fan for Charity (Nov 6, 2010)

Décor

  • Beijinger Winner: LAN
  • LumDimSum Vote: Capital M

Dim Sum

  • Beijinger Winner: Din Tai Fung
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇

Family-Friendly Restaurant

  • Beijinger Winner: Annie’s
  • LumDimSum Vote:  The Orchard

For Impressing Visitors

  • Beijinger Winner: Da Dong
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Duck de Chine

For a Romantic Meal

  • Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Capital M

French (High-End)

  • Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Maison Boulud

French (Affordable)

  • Beijinger Winner: Brasserie Flo
  • LumDimSum Vote: Crepanini

Hot Pot

  • Beijinger Winner: Haidiliao
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Haidiliao

Hotel Brunch

  • Beijinger Winner: Bubbalicious, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Bubbly Sundays at Senses, Westin Beijing Financial Street

Indian/Pakistani

  • Beijinger Winner: Ganges
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Punjabi

Italian (High-End)

  • Beijinger Winner: Sureño, The Opposite House
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Sadler Ristorante

Italian (Affordable)

  • Beijinger Winner: Annie’s
  • LumDimSum Vote:  LMPLUS (Central Park)

Japanese

  • Beijinger Winner: Hatsune
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Hatsune and Kagen Teppanyaki

Korean

  • Beijinger Winner: Saveurs de Coree
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Ai Jiang Shan

Kung Pao Chicken

  • Beijinger Winner: Xiao Wang Fu
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Black Sesame Kitchen

Late-Night Dining

  • Beijinger Winner: Bellagio
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Jin Ding Xuan or my local Ch’uar stand

Mexican/Tex-Mex

  • Beijinger Winner: Saddle Cantina
  • LumDimSum Vote: Casa Latina

Middle Eastern

  • Beijinger Winner: Biteapitta
  • LumDimSum Vote: Biteapitta

Outdoor Dining

  • Beijinger Winner: Capital M
  • LumDimSum Vote: Dali Courtyard

Pizza

  • Beijinger Winner: The Tree
  • LumDimSum Vote: Gung Ho! Pizza

Russian

  • Beijinger Winner:  Traktirr Pushkin
  • LumDimSum Vote: Traktirr Pushkin

Sandwiches

  • Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Hercules

Service

  • Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Fennel

Sichuan

  • Beijinger Winner: South Beauty
  • LumDimSum Vote: Madame Zhu’s Kitchen

Spanish

  • Beijinger Winner: Agua
  • LumDimSum Vote: Agua

Steak

  • Beijinger Winner: Mosto
  • LumDimSum Vote: The Cut Grill (Fairmont Hotel)

Thai

  • Beijinger Winner: Purple Haze
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Tuk Tuk

Vegetarian

  • Beijinger Winner: Pure Lotus
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Samadhi Teahouse

Vietnamese

  • Beijinger Winner: Muse
  • LumDimSum Vote:  Banh Mi Now!

Wine List

  • Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud
  • LumDimSum Vote: Enoterra

Yunnan

  • Beijinger Winner: Middle 8th Restaurant
  • LumDimSum Vote: Aimo Town

New Restaurant (Chinese)

  • Beijinger Winner: Little Yunnan
  • LumDimSum Vote: Xu Xian Lou

New Restaurant (Non-Chinese)

  • Beijinger Winner: Modo
  • LumDimSum Vote: Modo

Restaurant of the Year (Chinese)

  • Beijinger Winner: Da Dong
  • LumDimSum Vote: Karaiya Spice House

Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)

  • Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud
  • LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune


CW Reader’s Choice Awards vs. LumDimSum

Posted: June 6th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene, Nightlife & Party Scene | Tags: 1001 Nights, All-Star Sports Bar & Grill, Apothecary, Aroy-D, Biteapitta, Bling, Capital M, Casa Latina, Chef Too, CityWeekend, Club Obiwan, Comptoirs De France, Destination, Din Tai Feng, Ding Ding Xiang, DJ Blackie, DJ Keza, Enoteca, Fat Duck, Fubar, Glen Boutique Bar, Grange, Hai Di Lao, Hatsune, Karaiya Spice House, Kiosk, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Mao Live House, Mario Cittadini, Max Levy, Meat & Wine Co., Mix, Mughal's, Palette Vino, Prego, Punjabi, Purple Haze, Q Bar, SALT, Seasonal Tastes, Tamarind, The Orchard, The Redbucks, The Tree, theBeijinger, Time Out, Westin Beijing Chaoyang, White Rabbit, Xiu, Yugong Yishan, Zen5es | 1 Comment »

CW 2010 Reader's Choice AwardsUnlike 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


Have Been: Alameen

Posted: May 19th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Alameen, Biteapitta, Middle Eastern, Rumi | No Comments »

IMG_1480Ranked as one of Beijing’s top destinations for quality falafel, I had to check out Alameen and see for myself if the rumors rang true.

A beautiful sunny day, I opted to sit outside on their outside patio to enjoy the weather and doubled as a nice place to people watch the groups of Arabic diners coming and going throughout the lunch period. I took that as a promising sign.

To start off my meal, I ordered the Alameen fresh fruit juice combo (RMB 25), which was as refreshing to my eyes as my taste buds.

Flipping through the large menu, the appetizers ranged from various hummus & eggplant salads (RMB 20), falafel (RMB 20), soups (RMB  20), salads (RMB 20-25), sandwiches (RMB 20-25), Grilled Meat Platter (RMB 80), Seafood Platter (RMB 50), Grilled dishes (RMB 45) along with some South Asian cuisine.

We ordered a range of dishes from the highly recommended Eggplant Salad (RMB 20) and Falafel (RMB 20), Mardoof bread (RMB 6), and Grilled salmon (RMB 45) for main course. While the Eggplant Salad lived up to its reputation, I’ve got to be honest and report that the falafel nowhere as good as Biteapitta‘s.  The falafel had a nice crunchy texture, but it was not served warm enough and just failed to meet my expectations entirely. The Grilled Salmon was dry and tough and also came as a disappointment.

While the appetizers stood out, I think Alameen falls short where Biteapitta and Rumi shine among Beijing’s outstanding destinations for Middle Eastern cuisine.

IMG_1472IMG_1473IMG_1467IMG_1474IMG_1469

Review of Alameen: 2 Sanlitun West Fifth Road, Behind the German Embassy  三里屯西五街西2号, Tel: 8451-7489

Best Part:

  • Appetizers like the Eggplant Salad & Hummus dishes were delicious, complemented by Mardoof bread to dip (similar to Naan bread)

Comments:

  • My experience was overall a disappointment all around in terms of the food, presentation, restaurant decor and service, but perhaps I came in with expectations too high.
  • The Grilled Salmon was a disappointment as it was dry and tough and definitely paled in comparison to the photo shown on the menu:

IMG_1469 vs. IMG_1478

  • Wait staff were not able to recommend dishes or explain dishes very clearly
  • Restaurant space felt tight (especially inside), decor was mediocre, and bathroom was unpleasant.IMG_1479

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

  • Food: 6
  • Atmosphere: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Overall Experience: 5

LumDimSum Discovery: Biteapitta’s Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich

Posted: April 7th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Biteapitta, Lumdimsum Discovery | No Comments »

This is not a new or recent discovery, but considering I go to Biteapitta on average twice a week just to get my fix of the usual - Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich – I figured it merits a post as a LumDimSum Discovery.

I should probably start ordering other things on their menu to get more of a variety and because I’m sure everything on their menu is definitely worth trying, but whenever I go, I can’t help it and crave nothing else. And I assume it must be contagious because now my friends are also hooked, which makes it even worse because now we all eat the same thing every time. Sounds lame, but once you try it, you won’t be able to stop either. Can’t stop, won’t stop…

Stuffed in soft, fresh pita bread, the Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich (RMB 28) holds about six falafels (fried balls from ground chickpeas) with hummus spread throughout and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes and sour cream.  The falafel is served fresh and hot and is by far, my favorite item on Biteapitta’s menu. It’s perfectly proportioned leaving me full but not stuffed and the combination of hummus and falafel is perfect. And for only RMB 28, this is a steal. (If you like to switch it up, I recommend trying falafel with babaganoush.)

IMG_0860

Biteapitta's Hummus & Falafel Pita Sandwich

Other highly recommended items off Biteapitta’s menu is their Chicken Shawarma and their appetizer dishes like the sauteed mushrooms, eggplant and egg salad.

*LumDimSum Discovery Explanation: Whenever I find a dish worth sharing, I will post this find as a LumDimSum Discovery.  Just click tagged LumDimSum Discovery articles for more recommendations.


Big Comeback for Biteapitta

Posted: March 9th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Biteapitta, Le Petit Gourmand, Tongli Studio | 2 Comments »

Biteapitta is BACK, Baby!!IMG_0836

This place is one of my all-time favorites and I’m so happy they are now in Sanlitun’s Tongli Studio!  And to think that I used to make special trips out to Super Bar Street (by Lady Street) just for my beloved Hummus & Falafel Pitta Sandwich!

Bitapitta has found its home just between Donner Kebab and Le Petit Gourmand in Tongli Studio.  The bright new restaurant is lined with windows for a vibrant atmosphere filled with light (I came during the day). The seating set up is canteen style with a few high tables with stools and a long counter that runs along the IMG_0832windowed wall.

Their menu has remained the same as before and with set lunch sets from 11AM-2PM priced between RMB 45-60.  Menu is inclusive of appetizers (RMB 22-30), Hummus Corner (RMB28-45), Salads (RMB 35-40), Main Grilled Selection (RMB 45-85), Pitta Sandwiches (RMB 20-28), and Pitta Nini’s (RMB 25-35). Drinks include coffee, tea, ice lemonade, soda, fresh fruit juice and yogurt-based smoothies (RMB 25). They also have a limited wine menu.

Review of Bitapitta: 201 Tongli Studio, 43 Sanlitun North  三里屯43号楼同里201 3.3大厦西南方向; Tel:  6467-2961

Best Part:

  • Hummus, baba ganoush appetizers, and their pitta sandwiches are to die for!
  • Healthy, fresh food leaving you feeling so satisfied
  • Quality is consistent
  • Portions are generous, value is unbelievably good
  • Super friendly staff (a lot are the same as before)IMG_0834

Comments:

  • If anyone can turn around Tongli’s reputation, it’s Biteapitta!!  Biteapitta is a delightful escape from the grungy exterior street.
  • I wish their menu had pictures
  • Not sure how dinner experience would be with the loud music and drunkards stumbling around

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

  • Food: 9
  • Atmosphere: 6
  • Service: 8
  • Overall Experience: 9

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Events Today

  • BJ Foodies and Charity Auction
    BJ Foodies and Charity Auction
    Time: 7:00 PM
    BJ FOoDiEs is teaming up with the Hilton Beijing, The Beijing Beatles, and Hoegaarden for the 2012 Charity Auction! Dinner starts at 7PM at ONE EAST and then Auction will be at ZETA BAR starting around 9PM-midnight.
    at 7:00 PM

Upcoming Events

  • February 11, 2012
    • Free Preventative Health Talk
      Free Preventative Health Talk
      Time: 10:00 AM
      On Saturday, February 11, The Hutong is offering a unique opportunity to attend an hour and a half discussion led by Alex Tan to learn how we can use both eastern and western ideas to improve our health and how to incorporate these into our daily lives in both a practical and useful way.
      at 10:00 AM
    • Cupid Charity Pub Crawl
      Cupid Charity Pub Crawl
      Time: 4:00 PM
      Pay RMB 100 and work your way through a 9-pub crawl through Sanlitun. Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4PM
      at 4:00 PM
  • February 15, 2012
    • Love Stories Live at Bookworm
      Love Stories Live at Bookworm
      Time: 7:30 PM
      Live Storytelling at The Bookworm. This month's theme: Love and Romance. Presented by LGBT Beijing. 7:30PM, RMB 30
      at 7:30 PM
  • February 17, 2012
    • Slow Boat Brewery at Grinders
      Slow Boat Brewery at Grinders
      Time: 7:00 PM
      Slow Boat will be tapping fresh kegs to pair with Grinders’ hearty food, music and friends all in a relaxed and informal environment. February 17th at 7pm at Grinders
      at 7:00 PM
  • February 21, 2012
    • Hilton Pancake Race
      Hilton Pancake Race
      Time: 7:00 PM
      The Hilton Beijing is hosting their 3rd Annual Pancake Race to crown Beijing’s “Celebrity Foodies Tosser” on Tuesday, February 21 from 7-9PM.
      at 7:00 PM
  • February 22, 2012
    • Hatsune Sushi Making Class
      Hatsune Sushi Making Class
      Time: 7:00 PM
      Here’s your chance to learn the secrets behind the legendary Hatsune sushi rolls, eat your own creations and you even get to take home essential equipment to start making your own sushi at home! Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 7-10PM at The Original Hatsune on Guanghua Lu
      at 7:00 PM
  • March 9, 2012
    • Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Time: 8:00 PM
      Featuring international literary sensations, brilliant debut novelists and China’s leading intellectuals, this year’s festival promises to be as diverse as ever with an eclectic range of events for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to enjoy. March 9-23, 2012 at The Bookworm
      at 8:00 PM
  • March 10, 2012
    • Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Time: 8:00 PM
      Featuring international literary sensations, brilliant debut novelists and China’s leading intellectuals, this year’s festival promises to be as diverse as ever with an eclectic range of events for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to enjoy. March 9-23, 2012 at The Bookworm
      at 8:00 PM
  • March 11, 2012
    • Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Bookworm Literary Festival2012
      Time: 8:00 PM
      Featuring international literary sensations, brilliant debut novelists and China’s leading intellectuals, this year’s festival promises to be as diverse as ever with an eclectic range of events for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to enjoy. March 9-23, 2012 at The Bookworm
      at 8:00 PM

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