A Spanish Visit at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

My first meal at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) was a private business lunch a few months ago when they were first in soft opening period and not even open outside of dinner hours. It was a few months ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything from the food to the service was impeccable and every detail was looked after. Granted they opened the restaurant just to accommodate our party of 10, which is an ideal situation to leave a perfect, lasting impression. (Click here for previous review of TRB)

I’ve only had the opportunity to dine at TRB once since it’s opening, and yet it’s still the top new place I recommend to others for special occasion celebrations and out-of-town guests. And when I first heard about TRB’s “Spanish Visit”, I immediately found my excuse to rush back to TRB for a proper dinner event.  The event featured a gastronomic 5-course meal paired with Spanish wines and a presentation of 5J Iberico ham for only RMB 480 all inclusive was a deal I could not miss.

Arriving at TRB for the first time in the evening, it definitely has a different vibe than during the day time.  It’s a lot of mysterious and you really feel the 600 years of history within the temple much more.

LumDimSum Snapshots of TRB’s Courtyard Entrance by Night:

Within TRB’s restaurant, we gathered at the bar for glasses of sparkling wine and all the Iberico ham we could stomach.  Complete with warm, toasty cheese balls, it’s amazing I had enough self-control to leave stomach room for the 5-course wine pairing dinner. Not going to lie, we were all over that Iberico ham and devoured more than our fair share.  Such a treat to see it sliced right in front of you.

TRB Welcome Drinks & Iberico Ham:

And now to the best part – TRB’s impressive 5-course dinner with paired Spanish wines. Highlights of the meal were definitely the Salt Cod Egg White and Garlic Soup starter, Fillet of Monkfish and the generous spread of beautifully presented desserts.

LumDimSum Snapshots of TRB’s ‘Spanish Visit’ Dinner Event:

TRB Spanish Visit’s Center Table for 20

TRB’s Spanish Visit Dinner Menu

Salt Cod Egg White and Garlic Soup paired with Luna Creciente, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2010

Pigs Head Pate with Goose Liver, Sherry and Fig Paired with Matsu, “El Picaro” Toro, Spain 2010

Fillet of Monkfish, Clams, Red Wine Sauce paired with Beryna, Alicante, Spain 2010

Roasted Pork Loin, Pimentos, Aubergine, Garlic, Lentils Jus paired with Pagos Del Mormeayo S.L. Gernacha, Vera de Moncayo, Spain 2010

Iced Saffron Parfait 

The Beijing Family at TRB’s Spanish Visit

 *If you missed out on this dinner but would be interested in joining in on more events like this one, check out this link here to the next Chi Fan for Charity Napa Wine Dinner where 5 participating restaurants (Brasserie Flo, Grange, Maison Boulud, TRB, and Vasco’s) are sponsoring spectacular set dinners paired with wines from Napa Valley’s top wineries.  I’ve booked my seat at TRB once again, but any of these restaurants would be a great choice to enjoy fabulous food with even more fabulous wines. 

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
• Time: Dinner begin at 6:30PM 
• Location: At the 5 Participating restaurants
• Website: Click here.
• Questions: Email MDC@chifanforcharity.org

CFFC Napa Valley Style: Good Eats, Good Times, Good Cause + Good Wines

The culinary event that’s already made a name for itself as Beijing’s top charity culinary event of the year, Chi Fan for Charity (CFFC) has expanded its wings beyond it’s annual main event in November and is now hosting a one-off, multi-restaurant charity wine dinner in collaboration with 20 Napa Valley vintners to support Children’s Hope Organization, a local orphanage that provides long-term care for disadvantaged youth as well as life-saving medical attention for orphans so that they may be adopted into loving families.

Chi Fan for Charity just celebrated its third year and over the past few years, they have had tremendous success in uniting the Beijing community together in a joint-effort to raise over RMB 850,000 towards various local charity organizations to date.  That is an incredible accomplishment and thanks to founder Michael Crain, they are once again creating another charity event on April 17, 2012.

But instead of rounding up 40+ restaurants to each sponsor ten seats, Chi Fan for Charity is only offering a choice of 5 participating restaurants and each seat is set at RMB 800 (which is still a bargain considering how much money is going to charity and how high-end these restaurants are). And the newest addition to this winning formula of good eating + good company for a good cause, CFFC has managed to bring over 20 vintners from Napa Valley, California (four vintners per each restaurant).

“Compare tasting notes with 4 vintners at each of the 5 participating restaurants. They will share the secrets of their methods and engage you with stories of life in Napa Valley.” – Michael Crain, Founder of Chi Fan for Charity

Here is the breakdown of participating restaurants and visiting Napa Valley wineries:

 After spending some time in Napa Valley last year, I discovered Swanson Vineyards, which was one of the most impressive wineries I’ve ever been to.  And this is also where I found my favorite bottle of wine to date – their 2010 Viognier is out of this world. So you can imagine how excited I was to see that they will be one of the 20 participating vintners traveling to Beijing all the way from Napa Valley, California!

Seating is very limited considering there are only 5 participating restaurants and each restaurant is only hosting 11 seats!  I have already booked six seats at Temple Restaurant Beijing for my family of foodies, so hurry and book your seats before they’re gone!

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
• Time: Dinner begin at 6:30PM 
• Location: At the 5 Participating restaurants
• Website: Click here.
• Questions: Email MDC@chifanforcharity.org

Check out LDS’s previous articles relevant to this topic:

• LumDimSummary: Chi Fan for Charity 2011

• Napa in a Nutshell: Wine and Dine Napa in Just 24 Hours

  

Buy Your Tickets Now: Chi Fan for Charity 2010

Bringing together local opinion leaders, celebrities and other charitable-minded individuals to raise money for worthwhile philanthropic causes, Chi Fan for Charity is one of the strongest charity events of the year.

Last year, Chi Fan for Charity raised over RMB 100,000 for The Dandelion School, a non-profit middle school for children of low-income migrant families.This year, Chi Fan for Charity will support three local charities:  The Dandelion School, Prevention Through Education (HIV/AIDS Awareness) and Rural Women’s Charity.

Beijing’s top restaurants are each donating a table for ten valued at RMB 500-1000 per seat.  People who want to enjoy an exceptional meal while contributing to a worthwhile cause can sign up for a seat at their restaurant of choice or preferred table host and “eat for charity”.

Each guest is treated to a special set dinner menu with a table host who is engaging and dedicated to making a difference here in China.  Table hosts this year include the talented actor and film director Chen DaMing, Hatsune Restaurant Group owner Alan Wong, CCTV host James Chau, Bespoke Beijing Founder Sarah Keenlyside and AAB Founder Tom Pattinson, Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer H.S. Liu and his partner, Chinese art expert Karen Smith, and PTE Founder Gabe Suk just to name a few.

After dinner, guests will be invited to the Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village, entertaining revelers with all-you-can-drink cocktails from 10PM-1AM and DJ Patrick Yu spinning jams into the small hours.

For those who would like to contribute without committing to a dinner seat, you can purchase a ticket for the after-party online (RMB 150 for advanced tickets or RMB 200 at the door).

Chi Fan for Charity Basic Breakdown:

• Beijing’s top restaurants are again being invited to donate a three-course meal for tables of ten hosted by the capital’s leading opinion makers and celebrities.
• Seats for the evenings of entertaining conversation and fine cuisine are sold publicly from 500RMB to 1,000RMB+ depending on the restaurant, with all proceeds going directly to three local charities.
• Last year’s inaugural event raised over 100,000RMB for The Dandelion School, a non-profit middle school for children of low-income migrant families. Two additional charities will benefit this year: the Aids-awareness organisation PTE China and the Cultural Development Center for Rural Women, a practical skills training centre in Changping district.
• Confirmed participating restaurants this year include Capital M, Green T House Living, Maison Boulud, Chef Too, Hatsune, Grange, Karaiya Spice House, Modo, Oden, Black Sesame Kitchen, Nola, Sureno, Bei, Cru Steakhouse, Jaan, Carmen, Vasco’s, Red Capital Club, ROOMbeijing, Duck de Chine, Taverna, Scarlett, Courtyard, Toro Bar and Kagen Teppanyaki.
• After the charity dinner, guests are invited to the Chi Fan for Charity ‘after party’ at Hatsune Sanlitun Village, entertaining revelers with their legendary cocktails and DJ Patrick Yu into the small hours.
• Supporters and friends can purchase tickets for the ‘after party’ alone at 150RMB advanced ticket sales or 180RMB at the door (gets you all-you-can-drink from 10PM-1AM).
• Tickets for both the dinners and after party will be on sale beginning October 16^th at the Chi Fan for Charity website: www.chifanforcharity.org.

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