LDS Hot Tip: Ignace Lecleir Takes Over The Courtyard

Brian McKenna Closes the Courtyard this week

It was officially announced via press release at the end of May that Brian McKenna would be closing his restaurant BMK @The Courtyard on June 14 (hurry cause it’s your last chance to dine tonight!).

“Brian is closing his restaurant Brian McKenna @The Courtyard so he can focus on new simpler design concepts; something he has been working on behind the scenes this year. However, he is also going to do more consulting projects. Brian is already working with 2-star-Michelin chef Ron Blaauw on his new restaurant in Amsterdam, as well as doing a range of desserts for Hatsune Restaurant Group and Comptoirs de France in Beijing. 

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DiningCity.cn Launches Upgraded Elite Dining Week

DiningCity.cn Presents a Deluxe Version of their China Restaurant Week

“With the ultimate pursuit of perfection and insightful knowledge of veteran diners, Elite Dining Week will attract and satisfy the most discerning and appreciative diners.”  – DiningCity.cn

Starting today, May 19th, DiningCity.cn is opening their public online reservation system for the debut of their new dining series called Elite Dining Week taking place this month for just 10 days – Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 31, 2015.

“Outlets in Beijing and Shanghai of prestigious overseas Michelin starred restaurants also appear on the list of Elite Dining Week participating restaurants. Among them, there are dainty Japanese restaurants, luxury French restaurants, quaint and stately Chinese restaurants, invigorating Italian restaurant, handsome American steak houses, as well as Spanish restaurants featuring assorted delicacies from land and sea and fusion restaurants that blend oriental and occidental cuisines. Each restaurant extends a unique appeal, be it breezy, passionate, dreamy or ultimately luxurious.” 

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Chi Restaurant Classes Up Wudaoying Hutong

Chi Restaurant is all about local, organic and artisanal dishes.

Opened by a wonderfully creative and forward-thinking team – husband and wife duo behind Saffron Spanish restaurant Yao Yang and Li Yang and managed by Nathan Zhang, the hip and awesome founder of upcycling charity concept Brand Nu. Already among the most respected business owners of Wudaoying Hutong, these guys are classy-ing up this mega-popular strip of trendy cat cafes, hipster bars, fixie bike shops, and comfort dining joints (like Vineyard Cafe and Stuff’d just around the corner) with one of cutest, quaintest little gems of all.

Beautifully designed with Japanese accents, the space feels warm and cozy rather than squished and tight and the welcoming atmosphere is enhanced by the happy diners and smiling chefs from the open kitchen that literally bares all with not one cluttered corner abled to be hidden from plain view.

Serving breakfast, set lunches and dinners, foodies come to Chi for organic food that promotes sustainable eating by locally sourcing as many of their ingredients as possible. Catering to a loyal following of regular customers, they are also rotating their menu on a weekly basis so you can always count on something different each time you come.

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Valentine’s Day 2014: Embrace the Love of Dining

Learn Embrace Valentine’s Day with Commonalities

It’s really a shame that there is so much angst and feelings of frustration and rejection that envelop Valentine’s Day. For many of my single ladies (and men!) out there, it’s like the dreaded day that reminds us how lonely singledom can be.

But instead of focusing on all the negative sentiments that surround the V-day holiday, we should instead change our mind set to think of it like Christmas, Thanksgiving and every other happy holiday that’s focused on celebrating love. It doesn’t have to be the mushy-gushy romantic-type love, it can be the love we share between friends and family too!

I’m a big advocate of sharing equal responsibility for this holiday. We should do everyone a favor and relieve men of this overwhelming pressure to take on all the stress of making this holiday special, memorable, thoughtful, etc. etc. Women are equally capable (if not even more so!) of doing the same for the wonderful male friends, mentors, and figures in their life. Who doesn’t love a surprise switcheroo?!

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Four Season’s Mio Italian Restaurant: Glitzy & Pricey

Correct Me if I’m Wrong, But Does This Look Like An Italian Home to You?

It’s been awhile since I’ve really laid into a restaurant, but considering Mio Italian Restaurant‘s location in the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, I think they can not only take it, they can hopefully take a few pointers and improve from it.

My close foodie friend organized a big dinner for 17 of her closest foodie friends at the highly-regarded new Italian restaurant Mio in the Four Seasons and I wouldn’t say that we necessarily came in with unrealistically high expectations, but it was certainly a special occasion and we came in expecting to be impressed (and naturally hoping for a little razzle dazzle).

Though some of us had previously dined at Mio, this was my first time and after reading pretty positively strong reviews on theBeijinger’s blog and Time Out magazine, I was very much looking forward to the excuse to splurge and indulge in an exquisite Italian feast.

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2013 Easter Egg Hunts & Sunday Brunches in Beijing

Early Easter Chicks Get the Worm!

Easter fun comes in many shapes and forms from died egg shells to festive cupcakes (photo above by Fat Bunny Bakery), there are plenty of Easter Egg Hunts and Sunday brunches available across Beijing.

Practically every hotel is hosting their own Easter brunch, but I choose to opt away from hotel-style buffet brunches and instead, I’ve put together my top picks for Easter activities/events in China’s capital.

LDS Top Easter Picks:

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Valentine’s Day 2013: Top Lovey-Dovey Dinners

Valentine’s Day Flowers You Can Do Without, but Dinner is a Must

There is so much unnecessary pressure and unrealistic expectations set around this holiday to turn it into one that is dreaded. Gifts, cards, chocolates, flowers, the obligatory list of things one must purchase to please is seemingly endless. It’s a shame really because rather than be a holiday where you have an extra excuse to spoil someone you love with added affection, it’s become a “Hallmark Holiday”, a commercialized marketing ploy to bankrupt boyfriends while still managing to leave girls wanting more. But it doesn’t have to be so dramatic.

Whether you’re single or taken, you certainly don’t have to be in love to love a delicious meal and fine chocolate desserts!

Everyone can enjoy this holiday celebration by treating yourself to a special dinner at one of Beijing’s top restaurants and milk this holiday for all its worth (you just have to bear through it once a year)!

Continue Reading » Valentine’s Day 2013: Top Lovey-Dovey Dinners