theBeijinger’s 9th Reader Restaurant Awards: Winners, Runner Ups & LDS Picks Announced!

Posted: March 23rd, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Agua, Ai Mo Town, Alla Osteria, Annie's, Aria, Bao Yuan Dumpling House 宝源饺子屋, Barolo, Biteapitta, Blue Frog, Cafe Zarah, Capital M, Chimay, Chocolate, Comptoirs De France, Crescent Moon, Da Dong, Dali Courtyard, Duck de Chine, Element Fresh, Fairmont Hotel, Flamme, Ganges, Grand Marnier, Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory, Hai Di Lao, Hatsune, Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇, Hilton Beijing, Hoegaarden Beer, Home Plate Bar B-Que, Ignace Lecleir, Jin Ding Xuan, Karaiya Spice House, Kro's Nest, Leffe, Lime Cafe, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Middle 8, Mosto, Nanjing Impressions, Niajo, Obentos 本之味, Punjabi, Pure Lotus, Purple Haze, Restaurant Awards, Saveurs de Corée 韩香馆, Seth Grossman, Sureno, SuSu, Sweet Tooth, Tairyo Teppanyaki, Temple Restaurant Beijing, The Bookworm, The CUT Grill, The Orchard, The Veggie Table, theBeijinger, TRB, Vineyard Cafe, Xian Lao Man 馅老满 | 1 Comment »

Family Photo Op at theBeijinger’s 9th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards

On Monday, March 19, 2012, theBeijinger just celebrated its 9th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Beijing.

Taking place from 11:30AM-2PM, the restaurant awards got my week off to a great start with a nice break on my mid-day on Monday with more food, sweets and ice cream I could have hoped for.  I was most impressed with the chocolate covered strawberries, chewy cookies and desserts by Sweet Tooth. I’m just thankful I had the self-control to resist drinking from the free flowing beer, wines, cocktails sponsored by Grand Marnier, Chimay, Leffe and Hoegaarden.

Always a grand affair, this year seemed bigger than ever with a very large crowd of both F&B big-heads and die-hard foodies. And it makes sense considering the amount of restaurants that were nominated and the strong readership who submitted ballots (thanks to social media platforms like Weibo, theBeijinger was really successful in reaching a broader audience this year).

“During three weeks of voting, over 5,000 readers and consumers cast ballots in 50 different categories, for over 250 nominated restaurants.”

That’s right- 50 categories and 250 nominated restaurants!  I was wondering how they were planning to read through 50 different categories (would be a nightmare to list off so many winners for so many categories) so I was relieved to find that this year, they displayed 30 of the 50 categories in the winding hall into the main event space.

So right off the bat, we were given the winners for the majority of the awards. It was so unexpected to walk into these displays without expecting to see so many announced in advance. Running around to find the categories Hatsune was nominated in, I was beyond stoked to discover Hatsune won Best Japanese for the 8th year in a row and Hatsune also won Best Decor (Hatsune Sanlitun) and Outstanding for Best Business Lunch (Mosto won this one!).

Hatsune Wins Best Japanese Restaurant (8 year running!) Photo of Hatsune’s two restaurant managers

Other Big Winners from the 9th Annual Awards Ceremony Include:

• Maison Boulud – Winning 7 Awards in total –  Best French, Best Service (Non-Chinese), Best Wine List, Best for a Romantic Meal, Outstanding for Impressing Visitors, Outstanding Place for a Celebration and Outstanding for Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)

• Da Dong – Restaurant of the Year (Chinese), Best for Impressing Visitors (Chinese) , Best Beijing Duck, Outstanding for Best Service (Chinese)

• Home Plate Bar-B-Que – Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Seth Grossman), Best New Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Best American, Outstanding for Best Value for Money,

• Nanjing Impressions – Best New Restaurant (Chinese)

• Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – Outstanding for Best New Restaurant (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Ignace Lecleir), Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Decor

• Capital M – Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Outdoor Dining, Outstanding for Best Romantic Meal, Best Decor

Biggest Disappointments:

• Annie’s gets nominated for Best Service?  Seriously people?  Have you even eaten in the restaurant or are you just getting delivery to your home?  If we’re talking about best delivery service, GungHo! pizza wins hands down

• Tairyo Teppanyaki wins Best Place for Celebration?! I get that their “all-you-can-drink-and-eat deal” may draw you in at first, but the food is such low quality and everything tastes the same! Really surprised by this one.

• Blue Frog for Best Burger – they hav e a great two-for-one deal on Mondays, but there is definitely better burgers in Beijing

• Punjabi Indian Restaurant was not even in the running for the Best Indian category, people need to migrate east of Sanlitun!

• Seems like majority of restaurants that won are all located in the Sanlitun area.  Wish some of the more hidden gems got more recognition (ie Ai Mo Town for Best Yunnan)

• Wish Obentos got recognition in some of the categories they were nominated in! They definitely have the best salads in town in my opinion (much better than Annie’s anyway!)

Overall, it’s very exciting to see a small, little authentic American BBQ spot take over the entire awards ceremony!  Beating out big players like Maison Boulud and Hatsune (for Restaurant of the Year) and Temple Restaurant Beijing (for Best New Restaurant), this underdog came out of nowhere and really stole the show!

Congratulations to Home Plate Bar-B-Que!

Home Plate Bar-B-Que Team Wins Big! 

Photo courtesy of theBeijinger

Here is List of the 50 Categories’ Winners & Runner-Ups:

BEST AMERICAN
Readers’ Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding 
Blue Frog
Union Bar & Grille

LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que

BEST BEIJING DUCK
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Duck de Chine
Quanjude

LDS Vote: Made in China (Grand Hyatt)

BEST BRUNCH (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice 
Vineyard Café
Outstanding 
Chef Too
Element Fresh

LDS Vote: The Orchard

BEST BURGER
Readers’ Choice 
Blue Frog
Outstanding 
Fatburger
Let’s Burger Plus

LDS Vote: Maison Boulud

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Readers’ Choice 
Mosto
Outstanding 
Alameda
Hatsune

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST CAFÉ
Readers’ Choice 
The Bookworm
Outstanding 
Comptoirs de France
Vineyard Café

LDS Vote: Cafe Zarah

BEST DÉCOR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Lan Club
Outstanding 
Duck De Chine (Jinbao Jie location)
Pure Lotus (Changhong Qiao location)

LDS Vote: Duck de Chine (Jinbao Jie)

BEST DÉCOR (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Hatsune (Sanlitun location)
Outstanding 
Capital M
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: Capital M

BEST DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding 
1001 Nights
Chocolate

LDS Vote: Chocolate

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding 
Element Fresh
Grandma’s Kitchen
The Orchard

LDS Vote: The Orchard

BEST FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding 
Capital M
Mosto

LDS Vote: Capital M

BEST FRENCH
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding 
Brasserie Flo
Café de la Poste

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Duck de Chine
Haidilao

LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard

BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Capital M
Outstanding 
Maison Boulud
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing 

BEST ITALIAN-AFFORDABLE
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding 
Alio Olio
La Pizza

LDS Vote: Alla Osteria

BEST JAPANESE
Readers’ Choice 
Hatsune
Outstanding 
Matsuko
Tairyo Teppanyaki

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST KOREAN
Readers’ Choice 
Saveurs de Coree
Outstanding 
Ai Jiang Shan
Han Na Shan

LDS Vote: Saveurs de Coree

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding 
Bellagio
Jin Ding Xuan

LDS Vote: Jin Ding Xuan or my local ch’uar stand

BEST MIDDLE-EASTERN
Readers’ Choice 
Biteapitta
Outstanding 
1001 Nights
Rumi

LDS Vote: Biteapitta

BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Readers’ Choice 
Capital M
Outstanding 
Blue Frog
Dali Courtyard

LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard

BEST PIZZA
Readers’ Choice 
Kro’s Nest
Outstanding 
Gung Ho! Pizza
The Tree

LDS Vote: Gung Ho! Pizza

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION
Readers’ Choice 
Tairyo Teppanyaki
Outstanding 
Maison Boulud
SALT

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice 
Chuan Ban (Sichuan Provincial Government Restaurant)
Outstanding 
Xinjiang Islam (Xinjiang Provincial Government Restaurant)
Yunteng Shifu (Yunnan Provincial Government Restaurant)

LDS Vote: Chuan Ban

BEST RUSSIAN
Readers’ Choice 
Traktirr Pushkin
Outstanding 
Chocolate
Elephant

LDS Vote: Chocolate (and all my Russian friends agree!)

BEST SALADS
Readers’ Choice 
Element Fresh
Outstanding 
Annie’s
Gung Ho! Pizza

LDS Vote: Obentos

BEST SPANISH
Readers’ Choice 
Agua
Outstanding 
Carmen
Migas

LDS Vote: Niajo

BEST THAI
Readers’ Choice 
Purple Haze
Outstanding 
Serve the People
Very Siam

LDS Vote: Lime Cafe (Central Park)

BEST VEGETARIAN
Readers’ Choice 
Pure Lotus
Outstanding 
Biteapitta
The Veggie Table

LDS Vote: Veggie Table

BEST XINJIANG
Readers’ Choice 
Crescent Moon
Outstanding 
BLCU Muslim Restaurant
Xinjiang Red Rose

LDS Vote: Crescent Moon

BEST YUNNAN
Readers’ Choice 
Middle 8th
Outstanding 
Dali Courtyard
In & Out

LDS Vote: Aimo Town

BEST DIM SUM
Readers’ Choice 
Jin Ding Xuan
Outstanding  
Crystal Jade
Lei Garden

LDS Vote: Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇

BEST DUMPLINGS
Readers’ Choice 
Bao Yuan Jiaozi
Outstanding 
Lao Beijing Jiaozi Guan
Xian Lao Man

LDS Vote: Xian Lao Man

BEST HOTEL BRUNCH
Readers’ Choice  
Bubbalicious, Seasonal Tastes, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Outstanding 
Aroma, Ritz-Carlton Beijing
Bubbly Sundays, Senses, Westin Beijing Financial Street

LDS Vote: Yi House Brunch in 798

BEST INDIAN/PAKISTANI
Readers’ Choice 
Ganges
Outstanding  
Indian Kitchen
Taj Pavilion

LDS Vote: Punjabi 

BEST BREAD
Readers’ Choice 
Comptoirs de France
Outstanding  
Kempi Deli, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
South German Bakery

LDS Vote: South German Bakery

BEST VIETNAMESE
Readers’ Choice 
Susu
Outstanding  
Le Little Saigon
Muse Parisian Vietnamese Brasserie

LDS Vote: Susu

BEST WINE LIST
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding  
Aria, China World Hotel
Enoterra

LDS Vote: Aria, China World Hotel

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding  
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
SALT

LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que

BEST STEAK (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice 
Flamme International Grill
Outstanding
Chef Too
SALT

LDS Vote: Mosto

BEST STEAK (HOTEL)
Readers’ Choice 
CRU Steakhouse, JW Marriott Beijing
Outstanding  
Grange Grill, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
The Cut, Fairmont Beijing

LDS Vote: The Cut (Fairmont)

BEST SANDWICHES
Readers’ Choice 
Element Fresh
Outstanding  
Bocata
Comptoirs de France

LDS Vote: Home Plate’s Pulled Pork Sandwich

BEST ITALIAN – HIGH END
Readers’ Choice 
Sureno, Opposite House
Outstanding  
Cepe, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street
Tavola Italian Dining

LDS Vote: Barolo, Ritz Carlton

BEST MEXICAN/TEX-MEX
Readers’ Choice 
Luga’s Villa (tie)
Peter’s Tex-Mex (tie)
Outstanding  
The Saddle Cantina

LDS Vote: None, there is no good Mexican food in Beijing that I know of! But I heard Avocado Tree is good, but it’s in WDK.  I can’t wait for the Hutong Taco Bar to open up soon this summer (see here for details).

RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Readers’ Choice 
Seth Grossman, Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding  
Alan Wong, Hatsune/Kagen
Ignace Lecleir, Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: I’m biased, but my vote goes to Alan Wong of the Hatsune Restaurant Group

BEST SERVICE (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding  
Da Dong
Din Tai Fung

LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House

BEST SERVICE (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding  
Annie’s
SALT

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – anywhere Ignace Lecleir is will be Beijing’s best serviced restaurant

NEW RESTAURANT (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding  
Susu
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: The Vine Leaf. Of the restaurants that were nominated, I’m a big fan of TRB, Home Plate, Susu and Obentos, but as they are all new restaurants, I think the only one that’s really ironed out its kinked and have the highest performance success is the Vine Leaf. Each and every dish on the menu is made with so much thought and care, Will Yorke has managed to defy the odds and show Beijingers that English food can be phenomenal! 

NEW RESTAURANT (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Nanjing Impression
Outstanding  
Green Bites To Go Dumpling Bar
IFW, Park Hyatt Beijing

LDS Vote: New Duck de Chine in Jinbao Jie

BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Din Tai Fung
Duck de Chine

LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House

BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (NON-CHINESE)
Reader’s Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding 
Hatsune
Maison Boulud

LDS Vote: Hatsune

Full List of Winners can be viewed on theBeijinger’s blog page here and here.

See analysis and comparison between theBeijinger’s Annual Reader Restaurant Awards vs. DianPing.com here.

Beijing’s Best F&B Personalities (from L to R):

Alan Wong (Hatsune), Seth Grossman (Home Plate Bar-B-Que), Ignace Lecleir (Temple Restaurant Beijing)

Photo courtesy of theBeijinger 

*You can check out more photos from the awards ceremony on theBeijinger’s Photo Gallery.

 

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LumDimSum 1-on-1: Chozie Creates the WOW Factor

Posted: May 5th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Bars & Nightlife, LDS Interviews, Special Events, Upcoming Events | Tags: Atmosphere, Bang Entertainment Producers, Burberry, ck one, d lounge, DJ Chozie, Far East Movement, G. Na, Hai Di Lao, Jackie Chan, Keane, MTV Push, New Pants, Oracle Projects, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Star Live, Suzie Wong's, Tori Tei BBQ, Wangfujing Food Street | 4 Comments »

“On the move creating the W0W factor”, Chozie Ma is both CEO/Founder of Bang Entertainment Producers and Partner/China Rep for Oracle-Projects International.

“Bang Producers/Oracle-Projects offer high end experiences for our elite clientele; we are confident that we can create the “Wow factor” as the most stylish and luxurious events marketing and branding experience.”

Chozie’s newest project with MTV Push and CK ONE will be featuring American rap group Far East Movement (best known for their hit single “Like a G6″) for an exclusive VIP event this coming Wednesday, 11 May 2011 at Star Live in Beijing.

For insight into Chozie’s background, how Bang! first came about and what you can expect in this upcoming mega fashion/music event next week, LumDimSum gets you an exclusive with the one and only Chozie Ma.

Name:  Chozie Ma

Age:     30+

Nationality:  Australian/Chinese

Occupation:  Producer /Director /Host /DJ Artist

Company Name:  Bang Entertainment Producers

Years in Beijing:  14 and counting

LumDimSum Goes 1-on-1 with Chozie Ma

LDS: When I first met you back in 2006, you were a DJ at Suzie Wong’s. Over the course of the past 5 years, I’ve seen you move on to some pretty incredible projects and now you are founder and CEO of Bang, your own production and events company. How did Bang! first come about?

After coming back from my artist contract in TW in 2003, I took over Wong’s as both resident DJ and partner. I had a wild and fun journey ‘til one day in 2009 when I woke up and something clicked – the next day I left my partnership, took a 6 months break and got back to my true calling which is creating, directing and producing one-of-a-kind, magical events.

What would make me different from all other event companies out there?  Bang was born to become a VIP consulting agency that produces and directs high-end events for elite clientele. When I was once running and drinking with many VIPs back in the day at the world famous Suzie Wongs Club, that helped me gain access to the JING’Ss socialites , CEO’s, etc, and instead of calling them out to party this days, I would be call them to produce their events just like that party,

I would say I have to thank my liver for helping me gain so many great clients in Asia. Also, timing played a big role in the start of Bang -  isn’t it always about timing?

LDS: You are the CEO of Bang and partner of Oracle-Projects.com.  Are they related projects?

I am working on merging the two campiness so that they are housed under one roof. I am the China rep for Oracle-Projects, which assists Bang in its event technology. Bang is also assisting Oracle in their global marketing strategies.

LDS: Give me a glimpse into the glamorous and star-studded, celebrity events you’ve pulled off.

Everything from celebrity house parties to Olympic gold medal events, First Asian event in the House of Blues in Hollywood with Asia’s top celebs, Mobile Home Beach Festival, Happy Valley Festival, Space Ibiza, Summer Jam BJ first hip-hop and dance stage festival with artist ONYX – now that was old skool.  The list goes on…

LDS: The coolest event you’re most proud to call your own?

Last year we were contracted to host /produce/direct one of UK’s most  powerful family’s 4 day Birthday Bash in the JING. It was 3 days of full-on, packed VIP action – everything from closing down the Great Wall on the national day holiday for a cocktail sunset to shooting tanks on the Olympic target range. Imagine 350 VIP guests all flying in on private jets and having Mybach sponsor us to escort our guests from venue to venue (having the family that owns Mybach as our guest helped).

The city was dry after that weekend with the guests drinking over 230 bottles of DOM on the first night.

Imagine the world’s elite together with China’s top heads at one event spread over 4 days. It was a mission but a great event and we at Bang are proud to have produced it.  And thank you, Miss LumDimSum, for being a part of it.

But there is another event coming up on May 11^th that I am going to have to add to this list of  “coolest events”.

LDS: Right, I can take a hint.  OK, on that note – tell me about your newest project with CK and MTV Push. What can people expect from this event on May 11?

“April 2011 – MTV PUSH and ck one today announced that American rappers of the smash hit, “Like A G6”, Far East Movement, South-Korean starlet, G.Na and Chinese electronic-disco super group, New Pants will perform on Wednesday, May 11^th at an exclusive party at Starlive in Beijing, in what promises to be one of the most exciting, glamorous and celebrity-filled events on the Chinese fashion and music calendar.”

In other words -

• 350 hand picked guests will be flown in to Beijing including CK One top models, fashion elite and socialites from London and NY.

• 300 China VIP including celebs and up and coming stars of the mainland.

• The event is invite only.

• It’s at Star Live, but there will be a pumping new sound system for the night, new lighting rig, VVIP’s free food and drinks all night, VIP’s stranded free drinks. Giveaways and The Jing’s top party crowd.. do we need to say more?  Oh yeah – and Bang is producing it.

LDS: From Burberry’s digital event just a few weeks back with Keane’s live performance and now CK’s digital “ck one box” campaign with international sensation Far East Movement, what is your take on this growing trend for fashion brands to develop more high-tech approaches in their advertising and marketing strategies and in combination with live music acts?

It’s the only way forward.  If you don’t apply high tech, the market will eat you up –  its all about the WOW factor.

People are too restricted this days –  you need to make them remember and the only way is creating one-of-a-kind, content-built shows.  I am so lucky to be the partner of Oracle-Projects.com  and to be able to produce these kind of events for the world to see and I feel that 4D is next. Wait till you can smell your event.

The fact is that people want and need more so we must keep up with the highest of high-tech ways to impress.  Fashion and car brands take the lead in this because they have the budgets – ‘cause it’s definitely not cheap.

“ck one box” will be featured at MTV Push & CK ONE event

LDS: On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you to kick it with Far East Movement?

“LIKE A G6” Excited, with a high 9 out of 10.

LDS: If you could bring any one band/artist in the world to Beijing for a one-off performance, who would you bring and why?

Red Hot Chili Peppers … cause they rock and their lyrics hit the spot. Great music to listen to in the morning to get ya day started.

LDS: You must meet A-list celebrities all the time.  Who is your all-time favorite and why?

Definitely have met many over the years, but I would have to say Jackie Chan. He always has a smile on his face and even if he is in the middle of dinner, he will stand up and greet you no matter who you are or where you are from.

He is so giving not only in china but all around the world. He has created so much for the under-privileged children of China and he was one of the first to help raise money and create aid for Japan…and ya got to love his movies.

LDS: Who have you not met yet that you hope you will?

The president of China, ‘cause I LOVE our motherland China ..GO CHINA GO!

LDS: Tell me something most people would be surprised to learn about you.

I wake up in the morning and I do see daylight.

LDS: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Still in Beijing doing more to give back – create charities and have a family of my own with a ‘lil me or 2.

LDS: Of all the places in the world, why have you chosen Beijing as your home?

For me, when I came here it was the last dance frontier and I wanted to make a mark and I have.  I also wanted to get back to my family roots.

LDS: Top 3 Dining Destinations in Beijing?

Not in order -

• Tori Tei BBQ

• Hai Di Lao Hot Pot

• Wangfujing’s food street

LDS: Top 3 Drinking Destinations in Beijing?

• d lounge

• Atmosphere

• Suzie Wong’s

LDS: Any last words?

“Stay real to your self and always keep the peace.” - Chozie 2011

THANK YOU CHOZIE!!

LumDimSum Super Sweepstakes:

Access to this very exclusive MTV Push and CK ONE event will be rewarded to the first 10 people to email me directly (kristen@lumdimsum.com).

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, May 11
• Time: 8PM-1AM
• Location: Star Live
• Address: 3rd Floor of Tango (south gate of Ditan Park), 79 Hepingli Xijie, 和平里西街79号

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CW Reader’s Choice Awards vs. LumDimSum

Posted: June 6th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Bars & Nightlife, Foodies & Dining 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 »

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

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If You Like It Hot

Posted: October 20th, 2009 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Aroy-D, Black Sesame Kitchen, Chinese food, Chuan Ban, Face Bar, Ganges, Gui Jie, Hai Di Lao, Hazara, Hot Pot, Hunan food, Indian, Lantung Thai Bar & Bistro, Middle 8, Mughal's, Punjabi, Purple Haze, Sichuan food, Thai food, Very Siam, Xiabu Xiabu, Yu Xin, Yunan food | 3 Comments »

With Beijing’s sudden drop in temperature, what’s better than a spicy meal to warm your winter blues?

If you’re like me and you crave meals filled with flavor and spice, here’s a breakdown of some of my top picks for different styles of cuisine, known to make you sweat:

1. Best Sichuan – known for its liberal use of garlic, chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns which produces a “tingly-numbing (Ma La)” sensation, unique to Sichuan cuisine.

• Chuan Ban
• Yu Xin
• The Sichuan Restaurant in Solana by Tsingtao Brewery (forgot name)
• Black Sesame Kitchen
  

  Karaiya's Spicy Pepper Diced Rib Eye

2. Best Hunan – As spicy as Sichuan, but without the numbing sensation. Hunan’s spice is much more flavorful

• Karaiya Spice House

4. Best Hot Pot – An interactive, dining experience- you get to cook raw food in a boiling stew (opt for the spicy one)

• Hai Di Lao
• Hot Pot on Gui Jie
• Xiabu Xiabu – a reliable chain of hot pot restaurants

5. Best Yunan – Spices are not as dominant or as intense as Sichuan or Hunan, but many dishes are quite spicy and diverse.

• Middle 8th 中8楼 – nice decor and good food with low prices.  I’m quite addicted to their rice wine, and I love that it comes in a big bamboo container.   Always a good option for guests or a casual lunch with friends.

6. Best Indian – One of the most popular cuisines around the globe, known for its abundance use of spices and herbs, with signature curry dishes.

• Mughal’s (Indian/Pakistani)
• Ganges
• Punjabi
• Hazara (in Face Bar)

7. Best Thai – Known for being spicy and hot, the heat is also combined with flavors that are sour, sweet or bitter.  I particularly like the combination of coconut milk in Thai soups and curries.

• Aroy-D (Shuangjing/Fulicheng Area) – where I was first introduced to Thai cuisine
• Purple Haze
• Lantung Thai Bar & Bistro
• Very Siam

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