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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


Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Hatsune Wins Best Japanese 6 Years in a Row!

Posted: March 17th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene, Hot Tips | Tags: Alameda, Alan Wong, All-Star Sports Bar & Grill, Annie's, Aroy-D, Bei, Black Sesame Kitchen, Capital M, Chuan Ban, Crescent Moon, Da Dong, Dining, Element Fresh, Ganges, Haidilao, Hatsune, Jin Ding Xuan, Kagen Teppanyaki, Let's Burger, Luga's Pho-Pho, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Meat & Wine Co., Metro, Middle 8th Restaurant, Mosaico, Mosto, Muse, Olas Tapas Cafe, Pete's Tex Mex, Punjabi, Purple Haze, Red Rose, Saddle Cantina, Sadler Ristorante, SALT, Sequoia Cafe, South Beauty, Sureno, theBeijinger, Westin Chaoyang, Westin Financial | 13 Comments »

At theBeijinger’s Restaurant Awards on Tuesday, March 16, Hatsune took home Best Japanese for the 6th year in a row, along with Outstanding for Best Decor.

Congratulations to Alan Wong, owner of the Hatsune Empire, for holding it strong and staying at the top of the game 6 years running.

That’s gotta be a record!!

Screen shot 2010-03-18 at 4.21.10 PM

Owner of the Hatsune Empire, Alan Wong goes up on stage with baby Mason Wong to pick up his award for Best Japanese! 6 years in a row baby!

Other big winners from the awards ceremony include:

  • SALT – Winner for Best Chef & Runner up for Best Business Lunch, Best Steak, Best Service, Restaurant of the Year
  • Mosto – Runner Up for Best Chef, Best Business Lunch, Best Wine List, Best for a Romantic Meal, Restaurant of the Year
  • Haidilao – Winner for Best HotPot, and Runner up for Best Service, Chinese Restaurant of the Year
  • Da Dong – Winner for Best Contemporary Chinese, Best Duck, Best for Impressing Visitors, Best Chinese Restaurant of the Year
  • Maison Boulud - Winner for Best French, Best for a Romantic Meal, Best Wine List, Best Service,  Best Western Restaurant of the Year

Complete list of all Beijinger Dining Awards Categories and Winners, click here.

Collecting Hatsune's Award for Best Japanese

Collecting Hatsune's Award for Best Japanese

LumDimSummary of Beijinger Restaurant Awards:

Best Part:

  • iF Juice was a sponsor!  The most thirst-quenching, delicious fresh juice available in Beijing! I’m kind of obsessed.
  • Alan Wong brought up baby Mason to collect his award for Best Japanese (6 years in a row!)
  • Cheese by Yellow Valley Cheese is delicious
  • Cherry flavored Beer
  • Foodie Crowd Galore…or just PR people representing restaurants

Comments:

  • Hosts were painfully bad.  Dominic Johnson-Hill of Plastered 8 T-shirts could not pronounce any names if his life depended on it and Ai Wan actually said, and I quote, “Wow! This is extraordinary a woman won Best Chef! Normally chefs are men.  Now, tell me Ana, how old are you?” Someone should censor that woman.
  • Joy Luck provided no food for the event and it was just a very random location for a restaurant awards ceremony.

While many of the winners are very deserving of their awards, I was a disappointed to see Annie’s won Best Italian (come on people, it’s not best delivery service), Ganges for Best Indian (they just happen to have the best locations and marketing), and Element Fresh for Best American, Best Sandwiches, and Best Non-Hotel Brunch? I only approve of their smoothies and boycott the rest.

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

  • Best Contemporary Chinese – Beijinger Winner: Da Dong, LumDimSum Vote: Bei (Opposite House)
  • Best Duck -Beijinger Winner: Da Dong, LumDimSum Vote: Made in China
  • Best Sichuan – Beijinger Winner: South Beauty, LumDimSum Vote: Chuan Ban
  • Best Dim Sum – Beijinger Winner: Jin Ding Xuan, LumDimSum Vote: Jin Ding Xuan (Tuanjiehu)
  • Best Hot Pot – Beijinger Winner: Haidilao, LumDimSum Vote: Haidilao
  • Best Kung Pao Chicken – Beijinger Winner: South Beauty, LumDimSum Vote: Black Sesame Kitchen
  • Best Xinjiang – Beijinger Winner: Red Rose, LumDimSum Vote: Crescent Moon
  • Best Yunan – Beijinger Winner: Middle 8th Restaurant, LumDimSum Vote: Middle 8th Restaurant
  • Best French- Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud, LumDimSum Vote: Maison Boulud
  • Best Indian / Pakistani – Beijinger Winner: Ganges, LumDimSum Vote: Punjabi
  • Best Italian -Beijinger Winner: Annie’s, LumDimSum Vote: Sadler Ristorante & Metro
  • Best Japanese – Beijinger Winner: Hatsune, LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune & Kagen Teppanyaki
  • Best Mediterranean – Beijinger Winner: Sureno, LumDimSum Vote: Sureno
  • Best Mexican – Beijinger Winner: Saddle Cantina, LumDimSum Vote: Pete’s Tex Mex
  • Best Middle Eastern – Beijinger Winner: 1001 Nights, LumDimSum Vote: Biteapitta
  • Best Thai – Beijinger Winner: Purple Haze, LumDimSum Vote: Aroy-D (by Fulicheng)
  • Best Vietnamese – Beijinger Winner: Muse, LumDimSum Vote: Luga’s Pho-Pho
  • Best American – Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh, LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill
  • Best Business Lunch – Beijinger Winner: Alameda, LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune
  • Family-Friendly Restaurant – Beijinger Winner: Annie’s, LumDimSum Vote: Orchard
  • Impressing Visitors – Beijinger Winner: Da Dong, LumDimSum Vote: Duck de Chine
  • Best Brunch (Non-Hotel) – Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh, LumDimSum Vote: Orchard
  • Best Hotel Brunch – Beijinger Winner: Westin Financial Street & Westin Chaoyang, LumDimSum Vote: Westin Chaoyang
  • Best Pizza – Beijinger Winner: The Tree, LumDimSum Vote: The Tree
  • Best Sandwiches – Beijinger Winner: Element Fresh, LumDimSum Vote: Sequoia Cafe
  • Best Steak – Beijinger Winner: Meat & Wine Co., LumDimSum Vote: Meat & Wine Co.
  • Best Tapas – Beijinger Winner: Olas Tapas Cafe, LumDimSum Vote: Mosaico
  • Wine List – Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud, LumDimSum Vote: Enoteca
  • Best Burger – Beijinger Winner: Let’s Burger, LumDimSum Vote: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill
  • Best For a Romantic Meal – Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud, LumDimSum Vote: Capital M
  • Best Chef – Beijinger Winner: Ana Esteves – SALT, LumDimSum Vote: Max Levy – Bei/Apothecary
  • Best Décor – Beijinger Winner: LAN, LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune & Capital M
  • Best Service – Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud, LumDimSum Vote: Maison Boulud
  • Restaurant of the Year (Chinese) – Beijinger Winner: Da Dong, LumDimSum Vote: Made in China
  • Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese) – Beijinger Winner: Maison Boulud, LumDimSum Vote: Hatsune



Beijing Brunchathon + Second Sip

Posted: December 13th, 2009 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Cafe Zarah, Champagne, Chef Too, Gustomenta, Jin Ding Xuan, Meili Autumn, The Orchard, Vineyard Cafe, Weekend Brunch, Westin Chaoyang | No Comments »

Beijingers are spoiled with choice when it comes to weekend brunches.

Brunch in Beijing means more than a hangover cure or a weekend gossip fest, it can ultimately be an all day excursion.

With heavenly places like the Orchard and the Vineyard Cafe, you can easily find yourself spending the better half of the day lounging around, enjoying the good food and good company, knowing that today is your day to relax, worry-free before Monday rolls around.

Orchard Oasis

Orchard Oasis

Top 5 picks for a lazy Sunday brunch:

  1. The Orchard – It’s a magical place. The Sunday Brunch Buffet is absolutely worth the RMB 180 considering the quality and wide assortment of delicious “European Comfort Food” dishes to choose from.  There is a delightful selection of fresh, home-baked breads (I’m a sucker for fresh bread), fresh, organic salads, whole salmon, 2 soups, over 10 different entree dishes (meats and veggies), and 5 different dessert baked goods.  Only downfall: it’s a nightmare to find and to leave if you don’t have a car/driver.
  2. Vineyard Café – A hidden gem, down an alley across from Yonghegong (Lama Temple). I say ‘hidden’ in the sense that it’s a bit difficult to find, but it’s incredibly popular. Don’t go without a reservation, especially if you want to sit in their outdoor courtyard seating.
  3. Chef Too - Known for their steaks, but I enjoy their eggs benedict.  See review here
  4. DimSum Brunch @ JinDingXuan (Tuanjiehu branch) – 24-hour joint with buzzing atmosphere, and great, cheap dimsum anytime of day. See review here.
  5. Café Zarah – (located on Gulou): A sweet little Cafe on Gulou with wifi, good people-watching perch, and satisfying breakfast combos and ice cream from Gustomenta

And then there are those dangerously tempting and not to mention gluttonous hotel champagne brunches.

When the Westin Chaoyang first launched their Sunday brunch, Bubblicious, I was there in a heartbeat since my ultimate Beijing champagne brunch is by far the Westin Financial Street brunch, Senses.  This is by far the most elaborate, extensive, high-quality hotel brunch in Beijing. Champagne included is close to RMB 400 including the 15% service charge, it’s about 50 RMB less without the bubbly.  See review here.

My previous experience of Bubblicious was satisfactory, winning bonus points with their fresh squeezed juice and smoothies selection along with a jaw-dropping dessert section.

This past weekend, my good friend and fellow foodie MeiLi Autumn just brunched it up at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang westin chaoyangbrunch, Bubblicious and as a LumDimSum fan, she would like to present to you a ‘second sip’ of this mega-brunch.

Bubblicious Second Sip by Meili Autumn

  • This was my second Bubblicious at the Westin Chaoyang and I have to say it did not disappoint. At such Mega-Brunches, as I like to call them, one must have a clear strategy in order to enjoy all that the venue has to offer. Upon first walk-around I saw an impressive meat station, an extensive raw bar with lobster, oysters, prawn, and assorted sashimi, sushi chefs hand-rolling fresh sushi,  DIY Caesar salad bar, Chinese noodle section, dimsum and dumpling assortments, Italian section with pizza and handmade pastas, an amazing array of Indian curries, roasts meats, and naan, breakfast station with fresh juices, smoothies, eggs to order and all the sweet breakfast carbs (pancakes, French toast, waffles) and of course the breakfast meats (bacon, sausage, ham). I haven’t even gotten to the dessert and alcohol sections!

This was a lot to take in, I admit. But take it in I did, in platefuls and platefuls. It was decadent and over the top and I felt like royalty at a glamorous feast. The waiter never let my champagne glass get dry and they serve Vueve Clicqot too- one of my faves. If taking vodka shots is more your style on a Sunday morning, they also have a shot bar with different chasers and mixers.

My favorite little touch is their DIY Blini station. Blinis are small, yeast-leavened, buckwheat pancakes that bubblicious adoriginally come from Russia. Classically they are served with sour cream and caviar or smoked salmon. They go perfectly with champagne, oysters, and yes, vodka.

I have to say, I’ve been to many Mega-brunches in Beijing. Bubblicious is definitely at the top.

Best Part:

  • LOTS to choose from and EVERYTHING was delicious
  • Great Indian Food- some of the best I’ve had in BEIJING!
  • Delicious smoothies and fresh juices
  • Innovative and Creative
  • Great Service
  • Amazing desserts- try their custard bread pudding
  • Family-friendly

Comments:

  • A little disappointed at the weak looking oysters
  • Didn’t care for the brand of ice cream- stick with Haagendaaz.
  • Bit Pricey – they just raised it from RMB 368 to 398

**For the next two Sundays, the Westin’s Bubblicious brunch will be featuring the acapella group, “Under Broadway” singing Christmas Carols directed by my good friend, Cody Leung.


Chains with Confusing Consistency

Posted: December 7th, 2009 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Food For Thought, Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Alan Wong, Cantonese food, Chao Dian, Chinese food, Dan Goodman, dimsum, Fornet Dry Cleaning, Hatsune, Jin Ding Xuan, Sanlitun, Sichuan food, Tango | 3 Comments »

If you choose to franchise your business, whether you own a grocery chain, laundry chain or a restaurant chain, its safe to say that a certain level of consistency should be expected – consistency in the product sold, service, quality, quantity and selection.

Example of Consistent Chain:

When the second Hatsune opened in Sanlitun Village in April 2009 as a new location with a new design and makeover with the menu, Alan Wong was meticulous in ensuring that the service and product would equal that of the original Guanghua Lu branch that opened in 2001.  Customers like the option of a second location, but they still want to satisfy their sushi samurai cravings – they still expect the usual Moto-Roll-Ah among other favorite rolls.

Example of a Confused Chain:

I remember the first time I moved apartments and went to the neighboring Fornet Dry Cleaning Store to find that my Fornet card with pre-paid credit did not apply to this new Fornet or the gazillion other Fornets in Beijing.  What is that about?

New Example:

After hearing about my terribly disappointing experience at Chao Dian this past week, my good friend Dan Goodman FINALLY took me to the 24-hour dimsum spot near my apartment in the Tuanjiehu hood.  People always tell me about this mysteriously good dimsum spot near me, and I never knew what they were talking about…until today.

Surprise to me, this ‘mysterious dim sum restaurant’ turned out to be none other than the very well-known restaurant chain – Jin Ding Xuan金鼎轩. I have been to the branch next to Tango at least half a dozen times, whether for dinner or late-night grub and always took it as it is – a relatively cheap and massively ginormous Chinese restaurant with quick service, awful entertainment and half-decent food. I never even thought of it necessarily as a dimsum restaurant since their menu also features a lot of Sichuan dishes and standard “Chinese restaurant” dishes.

So naturally, I quite expected my brunch experience today to be similar to my previous experiences and was pleasantly surprised to find a winner!  Again, massive restaurant with 4 levels, it was packed (and luckily no wait upon arrival), quick service, big menu with lots of pictures, and a very satisfying dimsum brunch!

As it was a great experience, I’ll be a returning customer for certain, but knowing the way “chain venues” go in China, I think I’ll still be avoiding the branch by Yonghegong.

Review of Jin Ding Xuan 金鼎轩: 15 Tuanjiehu Nanlu, Chaoyang Park 团结湖南路15号 Tel: 8596-8881

Best Part:

  • A good selection of dimsum staples – overall good taste and good prices (ordered about 8 dishes and total bill was RMB 86 (bill at Chao Dian for same amount of food was RMB 174)
  • The place was packed, lively atmosphere
  • Open 24 hours
  • It’s in MY hood!

Comments:

  • Normally in the “Best Part” section, I would highlight the fact that there are 4 branches of Jin Ding Xuan (Yonghegong, Tuanjiehu, Olympic Area, and Fengtai), but I would say my experience eating dimsum today was much better than my previously dimsum meals at the Yonghegong branch (which I thought was not fresh and very mediocre).
  • Highlights were BBQ Pork Buns, Shaomai, and LuoBuoGao, with other dishes being satisfactory.  Everything was good overall but nothing exemplary or mind-blowing in terms of taste and quantity. But for the price, it’s great value.
  • I’m just waiting for the day when someone opens a Hatsune equivalent to DimSum in Beijing (casual, fun vibe, smart design, high quality raw materials, great service, all for a fair price).

  • DimSum YumYum

    Posted: August 16th, 2009 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: A Day In My Life, Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Cantonese food, Chinese food, Dim Sum, Jin Ding Xuan, Lei Garden, Regent Hotel, Weekend Brunch, Westin Beijing Chaoyang, Zen5es | 2 Comments »

    It’s crazy how different Chinese food in China is compared to the Chinese food abroad.  As a Chinese American growing up in California, I only thought of the difference between the greasy Chinese food you get take-out for super cheap compared to the scrumptious, healthy food my mom and grandmom cooked at home for dinner.

    I was so ignorant before I moved to China. I had no idea there were so many different provinces, each with their own unique and specialized cuisine.  In essence, I always thought Chinese food was Cantonese food.

    I had no idea I’d come to China and find the food here so foreign to my palate and how sorely mistaken my preconceptions of Chinese food were.  My favorite Chinese food from America is pretty much non-existant here in China and the local food here is rare to find in the US.  I may know of some restaurants that serve some Sichuan food, but Hunan?  Yunan? Xinjiang? Ah, the list continues.  I think the closest thing to Gong Bao Ji Ding (宫爆鸡丁) is probably General’s Chicken – and that’s totally different!

    My parents find it hilarious that the first thing I want when I get back to the US is dimsum.  Growing up, my family and I always had dimsum brunch at least once a week, so I would definitely consider dimsum a staple food I know by heart and love to eat.

    I know there are a ton of places to get dimsum in China, but it’s all either super expensive in a hotel (which I find overrated) or just not up to par with my standards growing up (I hate Jin Ding Xuan).  I have yet to find one place that’s got the right balance of value, quality and service.

    This is as close as it gets:

    1. Lei Garden 利苑 - Recommended by a friend for their good quality DimSum Brunch

    Best Part:

    • Very good quality DimSum, definitely up to my standards

      3 orders of Dan Tas at Lei Garden

      3 orders of Dan Tas at Lei Garden

    • Favorites: Cha Shao Bao, Luobuo Gao, & Dan Tas for Dessert (see photo here)
    • Pretty packed and nice buzzing atmosphere (always a good sign when a place is full)
    • Nice, clean environment, good hygiene

    Comments:

    • I highly recommend booking ahead for a reservation, they said the wait was over an hour for those without a reservation.  Lucky we came prepared.
    • I know DimSum is meant to be small, but these portions were extra mini
    • About RMB 150 per person (on the pricier side)
    • The AC was on full blast – way too cold, but it was nice that they offered a shawl to wear, which nearly everyone in the restaurant was wearing
    • The menu was not only written only in Chinese, it was most an odd mix of both traditional and simplified characters
    • They won’t give you smaller bills in change to divide among the group (as with most Chinese restaurants – such a pet peeve).

    3/F, Jinbao Tower, 89 Jinbao Jie, Wangfujing – beside The Regent Hotel
    金宝街89号金宝大厦3层 丽金酒店东侧

    8522-1212

    2. Zen5es – located in the Westin Chaoyang, I was interested after reading about their Simply Dim Sum Specials and their award-winning chef Joyce Zhu.  Zen5es photo

    Best Part:

    • I’m normally against hotel F&B outlets, but Zen5es in the Westin has a great dimsum deal going on: Simply Dim Sum Lunch – RMB 88 for all-you-can-eat dim sum available for lunch during the week, and Simply Dim Sum Brunch – RMB 168 for two people every weekend for brunch.
    • Clean, easy to use bilingual menu with an extensive selection of dimsum available
    • Great quality dimsum
    • Nice space &  friendly staff

    Comments: Zen5es dimsum

    • The space was pretty quiet when I went for lunch during the week for a business lunch
    • While their dim sum was great, I recommend a pass on the noodle dishes, which were massive and quite bland.
    • This photo is obviously an exaggeration of what you receive, in reality, the presentation of all dim sum dishes is quite normal with either the round steam baskets or white porcelain mini dishes.

    4F, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, No. 1 Xinyuan Nan Road,  Sanlitun
    Yan Sha Qiao of 3rd Ring Road
    金茂北京威斯汀大饭店4层,朝阳区新源南路1号

    5922-8880

    **I’m always happy to try new places, so I welcome any suggestions and recommendations here!  :)


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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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    Recent Posts

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