Gung Ho! Pizza: Full of Surprises + Shuangjing Opening

Gung Ho! Pizza seems to be the talk of the town these days.

Just last week they surprised everyone at the CityWeekend 2012 Reader’s Choice Dining and Nightlife Awards by snagging “Best Pizza” (No Surprise there) and “Best Service” (BIG surprise for everyone!) upsetting some serious competition with all of Beijing’s top-notch, fine dining restaurants like Maison Boulud, Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB), Capital M, the list goes on!

So the big question we all gotta ask ourselves: How does a pizza delivery chain (most customers rarely eat in their actual restaurants and just order delivery) beat out all the big players?

GungHo! takes home “Best Pizza” AND “Best Service” Awards at

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Last 2 Days to Vote: CW Readers’ Choice Awards 2012

Last month saw theBeijinger’s 9th annual Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards results which took everyone by surprise with underdog Home Plate Bar-B-Que beating out industry big heads Maison Boulud, Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) and Hatsune and totally sweeping the ceremony in every category possible from Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Seth Grossman), Best New Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Best American, and Outstanding for Best Value for Money. Well done to a venue that deserves massive credit for serving the world’s best BBQ pulled-pork sandwich of all time.

*Voting is underway for theBeijinger’s 2012 Reader Bar & Club Awards until May 9th.

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Fez Alfresco Rooftop Bar Re-Opens Friday, April 20

Fez Rooftop Bar Re-Opens for Spring and Summer

One of Beijing’s finest rooftop bars, Fez Bar on the 6th floor of Nali Patio just above award-winning Spanish restaurant Agua will be reopening its al fresco lounge starting tomorrow, Friday, April 20.

A perfect place for pre- or post-dinner drinks, weekend afternoon lounging (they have a great brunch that they will plan to relaunch this year), Fez is a preferred destination to sip on quality cocktails and champagne in a stylish, upscale atmosphere.

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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.

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

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).

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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).

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Thanksgiving 2011’s Best Turkey Feast Breakdown

Beijingers are all getting amped up for Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, November 24.

Whether you’re American or not, everyone can appreciate a massive gathering of friends and family for a full-on feast of turkey and all its fixings! A holiday focused on food and good company, everyone can celebrate Thanksgiving with a home-style meal even if they are so far away from home.

Although I prefer a traditionally home-cooked meal, many who are crammed and just too busy to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen will be happy to know that there is an abundance of amazing venues who would be more than happy to host your friends and loved ones over a massive turkey feast.

Thanksgiving Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

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Chi Fan for Charity 2011: Tickets are Now on Sale!

“Good Eats. Good Times. Good Causes.”

Good food, good company and all for good causes – this really is my ideal event. As a proud member of the Chi Fan for Charity team, I am excited to be a part of such an inspiring event that involves such a strong community of individuals to come together and really make a difference with the selected charities we sponsor this year.

The concept for the charity event is simple. Restaurants donate set menus to the charity, which then charge diners for a specially-prepared meal. Each restaurant is offering at least three courses and two wine pairings for a table of 10.

Who can say no to being a part of such an all-around win-win-win situation?!  If you haven’t already booked your seat at one of the 39 fine dining establishments on board, tickets went on sale this week!

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