LumDimSum Christmas Cheer 2011

Merry Christmas!!!

Allow me to share a corny Christmas joke I just love:

What do you get if you cross a snowman with a vampire?

(scroll down for answer)

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Answer:

Frostbite! 

No matter how much older I get each year, the traditions surrounding Christmas season never seem to get old.

From decorating our tall Christmas tree to baking cookies for Santa, listening to Christmas carols, visiting neighborhoods famous for their insane amount of Christmas lights and decorations, last-minute Christmas shopping and spending the day with family, this is a holiday that rightfully encourages childhood innocence, playful fun, generous giving, a renewed sense of hope and a charitable spirit.

If any of you have some fun or silly Christmas jokes, please feel free to share by posting a comment to this article (click here and scroll down to comments).

I wish you all a very merry Christmas wherever you are in the world!

Snapshots of My Very Merry LumDimSum Christmas:

LDS Hook-Up: FREE Tix to Time Out’s Xmas Bash!

Celebrate the upcoming holidays with the Time Out Beijing team as they throw one hell of a holiday party!

Free flow booze from 8PM-11:30PM will guarantee a good start to your Friday night, but I’m most excited to try the macaroons and cakes from Amandine Bakery, Christmas fruit mince pies and gingerbread men from Red Kitchen Cabinet, savoury crêpes from Moment Gastronomy Café, lots of colourful candies from Papabubble, and signature dark chocolate and brownies from De Chocolate Coffee. Yes, I plan to try them all.

Everyone who makes it also will be automatically entered into their lucky draw featuring over 40 awesome prizes including:

• Little Gold Books

• Handbags from D-SATA

• Designer jumpers from AnyShopStyle.cn

• Cooking Classes from The Hutong

• Three-month supply of Beijing’s best freshly ground coffee from Rickshaw Roasters

• Dinner vouchers for Niajo, Vasco’s, Senses, etc.

• Five highly coveted, autographed books from Penguin: Midnight in Pekingby Paul French, When China Rules the World by Martin Jacques, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok.

Hosted at the newly opened Twilo Club (close to Haze and Spark at Guanghua Lu SOHO), they’ve got loads of Christmas treats, drinks and music for all. DJ Junjaman (NYC), Dongjun and Juliana Lima will be spinning Christmas tunes, ’80s classics and house beats.

Get the LumDimSum Hook-Up for free tickets to Time Out’s Christmas Par-tay!

This offer comes on a first come, first dibs basis so if you want to get hooked up, just email – kristen@lumdimsum.com before 12PM Noon on Thursday, December 8.

Tickets are RMB 100 person, but lucky for my LDS friends, I’ve got the hook-up for you! Be quick as these tickets are limited!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 9, 2011

• Time: 7:30PM-late

• Location: Twilo

• Address: 103 A/B, Guanghua Lu SOHO, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区光华路光华路SOHO 103A/B

• Tel: 6561 9360

• Tickets: RMB 100

• Website: Click here.

  

Spooky Halloween Cupcakes by Lollipop Bakery

Celebrate Halloween this year with Lollipop Bakery’s festive “Spooky Halloween” creative designs with each dozen cupcakes ordered includes Jack O’Lanterns, Tombstones, Spider Webs and Mummy Cupcakes.  RMB 340 per dozen cupcakes, you can order these fun holiday designs in any of their standard flavors (vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, earl grey, spiced carrot, Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Black Sesame, Marble Cupcakes).

While their Red Velvet and Spiced Carrot are my general favorites, I recommend that you choose their newest flavor – Spiced Pumpkin.

“The smell of baking pumpkin in the Lollipop Bakery ovens is divine, and we love this flavour!” – Lexie Morris, Founder of Lollipop Cupcake

With spice notes of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, and fresh chunks of sweet pumpkin, their Spiced Pumpkin cupcakes sound too good to miss out on!  RMB 220 per dozen.

Lollipop Bakery’s Newest Cupcake Flavor: Spiced Pumpkin 

Lollipop Bakery’s ordering website here.

You can also email Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn or call 13552772683 to place your order.

To An Inspiring Woman: A Mother’s Day Message

Dearest Mother of Mine ~

You are truly the kindest, strongest and most beautiful woman in the world!

Happy Mother’s Day!

I love you

LumDimSaying: On Easter

“Easter tells us that

life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things

but in terms of ideals.”

- Charles M. Crowe

Happy Easter!

x LDS

*What is a LumDimSaying? A quote I find worth noting. And sharing.

The Hunt for Easter Brunch in Beijing

It’s ON – The LumDimSum Easter Hunt…for brunch!

Lucky for you, there’s plenty to choose from in Beijing from family-style brunches to free-flow champagne.

Practically every hotel is hosting their own Easter brunch, but I choose to opt away from hotel-style buffet brunches.  However, if you prefer the hotel setting, I hear the JW Marriott by the Ritz is the choice pick as they are also hosting their own Easter egg hunt.

…and if it’s really the traditional hunt for Easter eggs you’re after, then you can join Comptoirs de France in the biggest family Easter Egg hunt in Beijing.  The hunt begins at East Lake Villas starting 10AM. Prizes include giant Chocolate Eggs, Chocolate Bunnies…and apparently chocolate roosters as well!

Here are some Top-Notch Easter Brunch Deals around Town:

1. Capital M –

More than just a beautiful brunch spread, Capital M is also hosting performances by the Sunshine String Quartet (from the Beijing Sunshine Philharmonic Orchestra) starting just after brunch at about 4PM.

I can’t imagine a better way to digest brunch than listening to a program of Mozart, Handel, Pachelbel Johann and Bach.

For reservations, call: 6702-2727

2. Fennel –

Currently, my favorite brunch in Beijing – Fennel is phenomenal. See previous brunch review for Fennel here.

This Easter brunch, Fennel’s Easter Seafood Brunch (RMB 298 per person) will be adding a carving station with some easter roasts, a big cheese selection and extra desserts.

Don’t go without first making a reservation as they book out fast!  For reservations, call 6436-1818

3. Maison Boulud –

A magnificent choice for a memorable brunch, Maison Boulud is guaranteed to deliver both a quality brunch and 5-star service.

For reservations call 6559 9200

4. Sadler Ristorante –

Every Sunday, Sadler hosts a very sophisticated Italian brunch menu (see previous Sadler brunch post here), but Easter will be bringing on a special deal of just RMB 388 per person.

For reservations, call 6559 – 1399

5. SALT –

“Enjoy a relaxing Easter away from the crowds” on SALT’s open balcony terrace with a choice of 2 to 3-course brunch menu (see menu below).

For reservations, call 6437-8457

6. TERRA -

A champagne Easter brunch offering a 5-course menu, a bottle of champagne to share between two and free flow mojitos and caipirinhas (for RMB 458 each), this is quite an ambitious brunch!  Skip the free flow drinks and just enjoy the 5-course menu for RMB 288.

For reservations, call 6591-9148

Happy Easter Egg Hunting / Brunching!

LumDimSaying: On St. Patrick’s Day

“Here’s to a long life and a merry one.

A quick death and an easy one.

A pretty girl and an honest one

A cold beer – and another one!”

- St. Patrick’s Day Toast

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my LumDimSum Friends!

xx LDS

Roses Are Red…

“All I really need is love,

but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

- Lucy van Pelt from “Peanuts”

Whether you’re single or madly in love, today’s your day to indulge in as much chocolate as you crave guilt-free.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

*What is a LumDimSaying? A quote I find worth noting. And sharing.

Forget the Price Tag and Think Priceless: Beijing’s Best Valentine’s Day Dinners

Probably one of the most loved and hated holiday on the annual calendar, Valentine’s Day is either a day to get all lovey-dovey with your sweetheart or it’s hated on…hardcore.

I think one of the best representations I have ever come across is a verse by my dear friend Mr. Ross Goulding in the most recent issue of Time Out magazine:

“Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a deluge of sacharrine filth, like a pool of vomit produced by a plague rat that has eaten nothing but sugar its whole miserable life. It is a day leaden with vulgar expectation, a day of pure emotion expressed via the clumsy mechanics of crass consumerism. There’s no better visual metaphor for Valentine’s Day than a mass-produced, solitary rose, wilting inside its plastic sheath, lying half trampled in a car park puddle on the morning of February 15.”

A little extreme if you ask me, but regardless of whether or not you are single or madly in love with your soul mate, Valentine’s Day is an excuse to indulge in a delicious meal and treat yourself to the divine sin that’s officially allowed on Valentine’s Day: CHOCOLATE.

…or an even more sinfully delicious treat – cupcakes!

*Lollipop Bakery Valentine’s Day Box of Love (RMB 280 for 1 dozen Cupcakes)* – To order: 13552772683

A word of advice to all boyfriends out there – It’s just one day out of the year, so suck it up, be sentimental, and please, Forget the Price Tag and think PRICELESS.

Lucky for you, Beijingers are spoiled for choice this Valentine’s Day.  Many of Beijing’s finest restaurants including Capital M, Ristorante Sadler and Maison Boulud are making your life easy with beautiful, decadent romantic dinners for two just a phone call away.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. Alameda -

Valentine’s Day couples are spoiled at Alameda with a welcome cocktail upon arrival and appetizers followed by a mouthwatering four-course menu with dishes like steamed lobster with spinach salad, and tiger prawns with emulsion of avocado, as well as dessert choices that include a chocolate fondue for two. The dinner is ¥608 per couple.

For reservations, call: 6417-8084, 6413-1939

2. Blue Frog -

A special Valentine’s day menu for only RMB 298 per person.

3. Capital M -

Already a winning choice with its romantic roaring fireplaces and breathtaking views of Beijing, M has gone the extra mile and created two romantic menus just for you-

Our Classic Valentine’s menu (RMB 888 per couple) begins with a romantic Royal Red Kir, and a Pate en croute d’amour of Lovebirds and Foie Gras, and features Two Soups of Passion (Chestnuts & Consomme); a choice of Romantic Classics ~ Salmon Coulibiac or Beef Wellington and finish up with a passionate Pavlova and Souffle.

A Very M Romance (RMB 1,488 per couple) begins with a sexy sip of pink bubbles and caviar, then meanders through an aphrodisiacal feast … a seductive Valentine’s Platter (foie gras, crab soufflé, scallops and prawns, house gravlax); Two Soups of Passion (Chestnuts & Consomme); Luscious Lobsters Thermidor; Beef & Yorkshire Pudding; M’s Truly Grand Dessert Platter for two.

4. The Cut Grill (Fairmont Hotel)-

What’s more romantic than sharing a perfect slice of premium steak? Meat lovers should seriously consider The Cut – Beijing’s finest steak house is offering a 7 course menu inclusive of a rose and glass of dom upon arrival.  RMB 1800 +15% service fee per couple.

5. Grill 79 -

Wine and dine with your sweetheart on top of Beijing’s tallest building.  With views of the city skyline, enjoy a specially prepared set champagne rose pairing dinner featuring a special six-course menu for RMB 1,988 +15% service charge per person.

For reservations, call: 8571 6459

6. Maison Boulud -

Maison Boulud is offering a choice of three of the most luxuriously romantic set dinner menus available in Beijing.  Choose from the following three: J’Adore Menu for RMB 1778 per couple, Passion Menu for RMB 5288 per couple or Folie Menu for RMB 13,288.

For Reservations, call 6559-9200 or e-mail: nicolas.socquet@maisonboulud.com.   www.maisonboulud.com

7.  Migas -

Migas reveals its romantic side over dinner with a 5-course menu at RMB 680 for 2 and specials on Mumm Champagne at 80RMB/glass.

For reservations, call: 5208 6061

8. Ristorante Sadler -

With the holiday named after a martyred saint of ancient Rome, what better way to celebrate than at Beijing’s finest Italian restaurant?  Ristorante Sadler offers a decadent 5 course menu for RMB 688 per person including a welcome drink, canapes and a surprise gift…

For reservations, call: 6559-1399

9.  SALT –

A Valentine’s Day ‘Indulgence‘ Menu, you begin your night with a complimentary bubbly or Valentine´s Cocktail on arrival and enjoy Chef Paulo De Souza´s touch of romance.

“Strawberries with Ruccula and Walnuts, Butter Poached Oysters, Beef Tenderloin with Truffle Sauce, Toblerone Fondue with Seasonal Fruit, Chocolate Molten Soufflé or Strawberries with  Brown Sugar Cream are some of the delights set to entice.”

RSVP: 6437 8457; contact: info@saltrestaurantbeijing.com

10. Terra -

Sharing is caring.  Terra’s “Taste, Share, Pair” Vday dinner starts you off with a complimentary glass of bubbly or Valentine´s cocktail and your own first course before moving on to romantically-crafted tasting plates to enjoy together before indulging in a decadent dessert selection.  Menu below.

For reservations, call: 6591 9148

11.  Scarlett -

For anyone feeling Anti-Valentine’s Day, you can drink your sorrows away at Scarlett Wine Bar (Hotel G) with their cheap drink specials at RMB 30 for standard drinks and RMB 50 for signature cocktails.  And who knows?  Cupid just might be waiting for you there.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

An Action-Packed Chinese New Year Day in Beijing

While many rush away from Beijing during the Chinese New Year holiday break either to return home or travel, I quite enjoy staying in the city this time of year.  The non-stop fireworks can get a little intense at times, but it’s one of the few times a year Beijing has no traffic and everyone is totally chilled out.

With most places closed and many people away, it’s nice to spend quality time alone, catching up on work and on sleep, but after a few days of down-time, it’s also good to get out and explore what is available in the city.

Luckily this Chinese New Year break, Beijing’s been blessed with quite a few beautiful days with abnormally warm(er) weather! Taking advantage of the blue skies and sunshine, I spent the day in true Chinese New Year style.

Starting off on Guozijian Street 国子监街, we wandered in and out of various furniture shops, knick-knack shops, Beijing’s oldest toy store and peeked in its cozy cafes, Imperial College and the Confucian Temple.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Guozijian Street 国子监街:

After exploring Guozijian Street, we made our way over to Ditan Park to check out their annual temple fair, one of the liveliest in the city (click here for full list of temple fairs in Beijing).  Decked out in red lanterns and festive decorations, this temple fair was packed to the brim with people.  Weaving through the herds of people, we explored the fair and checked out the live performances, snack stalls section, game area and a few private temples.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Ditan Park’s Temple Fair:

Our next stop: Houhai Lake for some serious ice-biking fun.  The frozen Houhai Lake offers a gigantic space for people to ice skate, ice bike or ice sled on chairs with picks to slide yourself around.  Our group all hopped on ice bikes for races around the lake and a seriously awesome good time.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Houhai Lake Ice Biking Fun:

We topped off our perfect Chinese New Year action-packed day with a final Sichuan feast at the popular Sichuan joint directly across from the north end of Nanluoguxiang.  Spicy and flavorful, this restaurant was an ideal cap off to a long day exploring the city’s most festive sites.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Sichuan Feast:

With only a few more days left of the Chinese New Year holiday, I encourage everyone in Beijing to head over to one of the city’s temple fairs (full list of fairs here) along with a day trip to Houhai lake for some fun on ice.

Happy Chinese New Year!

CelebRABBITions: Happy Chinese New Year!

After a passionate year of the Tiger, I welcome the tranquil, considerate and wise characteristics of the Rabbit year.  This Thursday, February 3 brings the beginning of a new lunar year or Spring Festival, the most important of traditional Chinese holidays.

For those who are unfamiliar with Chinese New Year customs, the Chinese New Year is celebrated quite differently than New Years Celebrations in Western cultures. It’s celebrated a different day for starters and rather than focusing on glamorous, sparkly parties and scrambling to find someone to kiss at midnight, the Chinese New Year is a time for family.  Why does Beijing become a desolate ghost-town overnight?  Because everyone is rushing back to their home town to spend the new year with their families.  It’s a cherished time spent indoors with home-cooking, stuffing your face with copious amounts of jiaozi and let’s not forget the endless drum of fireworks and firecrackers…nonstop…for a week.

This year in particular is the year of the rabbit, an animal both adored and loved, symbolizing mercy, elegance, and worship of beauty. This is a year to catch your breath and calm your nerves.

“The year of the rabbit is a time for negotiation.  Don’t try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail.  To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children.   Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.” – Chinese Zodiac

This light-hearted image is is devoted to all things funny, bunny, hilariously hare-brained, or perhaps just a bit rambunctiously rabbit .

*Courtesy of my brilliantly creative friend Jennie Glorey.

Happy New Year LumDimSum Friends!

I wish you all an abundance of good fortune, success, love, health, and happiness this year of the rabbit.

新年快樂!

恭禧發財

With Love,

LDS xx

LumDimSaying: On Ringing In 2011

“Ring out the old, ring in the new

Ring, happy bells, across the snow

the year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

2010 has been a blast!

Thank you all for your support, inspiration, guidance and the good times we’ve shared over the course of this year.

May this new year bring you an abundance of joy, opportunity, good fortune and happiness!

Wishing all a very HAPPY 2011!

Savor 2010′s Final Moments

Before we say goodbye to 2010, let’s live it up, count our blessings and soak up every last minute before it flies by because before we know it, it’s going to be the start of yet another year!

Ring in 2011 in style and feast to your heart’s content!

New Year Eve’s Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. All-Star’s NYE Buffet Dinner -

Ring in 2011 with Hawaiian-style BBQ Ribs, Orange Roasted Whole Turkey, Seared Sea Bass & BBQ Pork Ribs. Only RMB 188 per person (Kids under 12 years old are half price).

RSVP: 5905-6999

2. Blue Frog -

A 3-course set NYE dinner menu with a special midnight toast.  RMB 268 per person.

Available Friday, December 31

RSVP: 6417 4030

3. Enoterra -

A 12-piece oyster platter +2 bottles of Champagne Gosset Brut for only RMB 998. Each bottle of Champagne Gosset Brut is RMB 498 each.

Available New Years Eve (Dec. 31).

RSVP: 5208-6076; For More Info: www.enoteca.com.cn

4. Migas -

Migas will be ringing in 2011 with Mumm Champagne on their rooftop terrace.  Expect lots of bubbly and funky disco soul beats by DJ Suiki.  Party starts 10pm.

Free for ladies, RMB 120 entrance fee for men, but free entry for pre-reserved RMB 500 bottles of Mumm champagne.

Reservations, contact: 5208 6061

5. ROOMbeijing

Join Brian McKenna with a night beginning with passed hors d’oeuvres and 6 hours of premium open bar followed by a 15 dish gourmet sharing dinner and live music by singer RAYE and a live New Year’s countdown.  RMB 688 per person for set dinner menu and open bar from 8PM-2AM or just RMB 488 for open bar and lounge seating from 9PM-2AM.

Available New Year’s Eve, December 31.

Reservations: Contact Lisa by lisa@room-beijing.com , 010-85172033

*Brian is also hosting a New Years Day Brunch with 15 dish sharing lunch and 4 hours of champagne open bar from 12PM-4PM for RMB 348 per person or RMB 248 for all food and no alcohol.

6.  SALT –

A 5-course set NYE menu and choice of free flow bubbly, selected red and white wines and beer.  RMB 498 per person for food only or RMB 698 with free flow drinks.

RSVP: 6437 8457; Contact: info@saltrestaurantbeijing.com

Sail Away With Me…

For the very first time, my family and I are breaking lifelong traditions and spending our Christmas holiday a world away from California, on a cruise ship sailing down and around South America’s coast.

I’m usually a stickler for keeping with tradition, but after spending my Christmas day trekking through the beautiful terrain of Tierra Mayor National Reserve in Ushuaia, Argentina, I couldn’t be happier!

Watching the world news on the ship about America’s east coast and London’s record snowfall, I feel a little guilty spending my winter holiday break under the beautiful blue skies of Chile and Argentina.  The sun here doesn’t even set until close to 10PM.

And hey, even if I’m not waking up to presents under a giant Christmas tree, my family and I still got into the groove of holiday festivities on the ship!

LumDimSum Christmas Family Pic 2010

Wishing all my LumDimSum friends a wonderful time with your loved ones!

See you in 2011!

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

~Dr Seuss

Christmas!  The very word brings me so much joy and holiday cheer.  While some dread Christmas shopping and the hassle of travel, I cherish all Christmas traditions from putting up lights, decorating a tree, baking cookies for Santa, spending all day in the kitchen, and most of all – feeling the same warm, giddy feeling I had as a child waking up on Christmas day.

A day of meaning and traditions, Christmas has always been a cherished holiday spent in the warm circle of family and friends.

More than just a good time, Christmas is a kind, forgiving, charitable, and loving time.

Open not only presents, but open your hearts and remember that the good you do for others is good you do yourself.

May the gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The heart of Christmas grant you love.