Buy Your Tickets Now: Chi Fan for Charity 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chi Fan for Charity Basic Breakdown:

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

Beijing’s Soup Nazi – Herbal Café

“No soup for you” seems to be the running theme at Herbal Cafe.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve gone to try their herbal, medicinal brewing soups and they are consistently “sold out,” every single time. But it’s not just the soups, at my most recent visit, they were out of half their menu.  And I’m not exaggerating.

I’m starting to think they don’t even make the soups anymore or that it’s all one big conspiracy against LumDimSum.

Ok, seriously, here’s my Review of Herbal Cafe:  Located across from Hatsune and Union Bar & Grill on the 3rd floor of Sanlitun Village. Address: S6-33, 3/F, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu, 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village3层s6-33  Tel: 6416-0618

Best Part:

• Their menu offers a wide range of herbal teas and soups (so good, they are sold out permanently)
• Range of Cantonese staple dishes and dim sum
• Comfortable booth seating and casual atmosphere makes for a nice, quick meal
• Despite their lack of availability, the restaurant remains consistently full of customers
• Cantonese cuisine is meant to be healthier & MSG free, but seems pretty standard to me

Comments:

• Beijing’s Soup Nazis. The few times I have gone, I am told each and every time that they are literally sold out of every soup. I wouldn’t care so much if I didn’t want their soup as bad as I do.  I guess you always want what you can’t have.
• One time they also said they were sold out of egg tarts, but when I went to pay the bill, they had 3 more egg tarts sitting under a heat lamp next to the cashier.  True fact. And yes, I called them out on it.
• DimSum isn’t the best, but it’s better than Chao Dian (located just behind Herbal Cafe). See review of Chao Dian here.
• For good, healthy soups to cure your winter blues, I recommend Oden & All-Star’s Southwest Tortilla Soup (just added to their new winter menu).

Single Malt Fiends

For anyone with an interest or an appreciation for single malt whiskys, here is a Whisky Tasting Event designed just for you:

This Wednesday, December 9, Wilfred Kwok (owner of Glen Boutique Bar/Oden/Club Decollete/Club Glen) is hosting a Single Malt Tasting with a Pairing Tasting Menu by Glen Boutique Bar & Oden.

Introducing four different types of single malt whiskys specially paired together with Oden’s specialty dishes from its sushi to foie gras, this is a unique, one-of-a-kind tasting opportunity.

RSVP required as seating is limited – Contact LumDimSum:  kristen@lumdimsum.com

Price per person: RMB 280
Date: Wednesday, December 9
Time: Starts 7:30pm-9pm
Location: Glen Boutique Bar
Address:  203 Taiyue Suites, 16 Sanlitun Nanlu,
三里屯南路16号，太悦203室

LumDimSum’s Gallery of Club Decollete’s Opening Party

Congratulations to Wilfred Kwok, successful owner of Glen Boutique Bar, Oden and newly opened Club Glen & Club Decollete in 1949-The Hidden City.

Club Decollete opened last night, Wednesday, December 2nd with an endless supply of champagne, cocktails, live saxophone, and tapas courtesy of 1/5 Taverna. EventPod also featured a live slideshow of all photos throughout the night!

You can check out the entire database of photos from Club Decollete’s Opening Party here.

But here’s a taste of Club Decollete’s Opening with LumDimSum’s photo gallery highlights:

Chi Fan for Charity Extravaganza

Saturday night was pretty hectic.

As the organizer for the Chi Fan for Charity host tables of Hatsune, Karaiya and Oden, I had my hands full.

My night started off at Hatsune (Guanghua Lu), where I greeted and received a table of 10 lovely ladies, hosted by Julie Schultz.  Hatsune offered a generous 7-course menu including a selection of appetizers, salad, sashimi, tempura, oden, beef butteryaki, an assortment of Hatsune’s best-selling rolls and green tea ice cream paired together with a tasting of 4 unique sake.

Next stop: Oden, which was fully booked with 25 seats hosted by Holly & Landon Loomis, who invited a great group from the US Embassy.  Considering the seating capacity for the restaurant is 28 seats, Oden had a full house with a great crowd of foodies, all impressed by the high-quality oden and fresh seafood along with the restaurant’s simplistic and contemporary décor.

After Oden, I hopped over to Karaiya to catch the final table of ten, hosted by Alicia Mei and Darwin Tu.  All first time Karaiya visitors, the group was thrilled to be introduced to such an extraordinary restaurant featuring authentic, spicy Hunan cuisine.  Having worked up an appetite, I, myself could not resist the urge to indulge in a few of my favorite Karaiya dishes myself before making my way over to China Doll for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party.

As the official EventPod photographer for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party @ China Doll, Joanna and I jumped on the opportunity to showcase our innovative new technology, which can broadcast photos on TV screens while they are simultaneously being taken.  Sponsoring the photos and event photograph system for the night, we were able to capture on camera the great turn-out with almost everyone from the participating 16 restaurants coming together after enjoying incredible meals at Beijing’s top restaurants.  See here some of my favorite photos from the after-party.

Here is the link for the complete photo database from the charity event:

www.eventpod.smugmug.com/Chairty/Chi-Fan_for-Charity/10257820_grwLB

——————————————
For those of you who enjoy good food and good company all in the name of a good cause, I encourage you to join us on December 5, 2009 for CAI‘s Inaugural Charity Dinner, held on Saturday, December 5th, 2009, at Karaiya Spice House.

CAI is a program of the Promise Foundation, a US non-profit organization that works with the children of migrant families in both rural and urban China. CAI provides arts and sports programs in migrant schools which focus on character development and instilling qualities that enable underprivileged children to be productive citizens and future leaders.

In addition to showcasing CAI’s work with migrant children, the dinner will be marked by a special performance by students from CAI’s music program at the XiWang ZhiXing School under the tutelage of the lively Brazilian percussion group, SambAsia Beijing. The evening, which starts at 7:00pm, will also contain a special silent auction of limited edition photography produced by children in CAI’s photography class from spring ‘09.

Event Program for December 5th, 7-10pm

7:00pm Reception

8:00pm Dinner

8:30pm Special Performance & Presentation

9:30pm Silent Auction Closes

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Ellen Luo at 135.5257.9279 or ellen@cai-china.org. You can also contact me directly: Kristen 132 4011 4868 or kristen@lumdimsum.com

From Birthdays & Goose to Chi Fan for Charity: Weekend Breakdown

It’s that time of the week again:  Here’s this Weekend’s Breakdown of Events:

Friday, November 6:

First Stop: Ella’s Birthday/Jamie’s Housewarming Dinner Party

Second Stop: Derrick Carter @ Punk

*Big Event of the Night: Grey Goose Hollywood Party @ Bling

Glitz. Glam. Goose. Exclusively @ BLING

Drink specials on all Goose all night.

Saturday, November 7:

Chi Fan for Charity

This incredible event featuring Beijing’s top 15 restaurants while supporting a worthwhile cause. From Hatsune and Karaiya to Maison Boulud, Green T. House Living, Scarlett, Agua, Capital M, Mosto, and Oden, each of the 15 popular restaurants will host tables, and each guest pays a set cover (from 500RMB to 1,000RMB) to join a table.

Proceeds support the Dandelion School, a non-profit school for the children of migrant families in Beijing.

Dinners start at 7pm, but you can also support the cause by purchasing a 100RMB ticket to the after-party at ChinaDoll or make a donation straight to the cause via the website.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit chifanforcharity.org.

Next Stop: Jiayi Li’s (Bling’s owner) Birthday Bash @ BLING

**Going to be a GREAT WEEKEND!**

Happy Birthday in advance to Ella & Jiayi! 

Best for First

I’ve always been the type of person who likes to save the best for last.

Maybe it’s just me, but I always like knowing that the best is yet to come and when that moment arrives, I like to savor it and make it last as long as possible.

Back in April, I managed to gorge myself with about 20 gourmet month meals in 30 days.  And out of those 20 meals, the general consensus agreed the best value and our overall favorite meal was at Kagen.

Some of the other restaurants may have been newer, trendier, fancier, better customer service, etc., but when it came down to the food quality, quantity and overall dining experience, Kagen blew our expectations.

With the start of November, I was pumped for Gourmet Month all over again.

Initially, I wanted to try out a new restaurant: perhaps Olas Tapas Cafe as it is conveniently located in Sanlitun (my home away from home) but my foodies crew was all about Kagen again.  Normally I would want to save Kagen for last, but with 30 days and about 15 restaurants I’m set to dine at this time around, I’ve got room for Kagen at least twice this month (one BBQ set & one hot pot set).

For only 150RMB, the deal is ridiculous! (I honestly recommend that two girls can share one meal, it’s that much food!)  But if you are someone like me, with a healthy appetite, then you will leave stuffed…and your stomach expanded to its brink.

Here’s the breakdown:

Assorted Appetizer Platter – Seared Beef Carpaccio, Roasted Bacon and Asparagus Roll, Stir-fry gobo, Tobiko Salad, Calamari

Assorted BBQ Combo Course – Short Ribs, Rib Eye, Yakitori, Jumbo Butter Prawns

Or

Assorted Hot Pot Combo Course – Sliced Rib-eye, Fish & Shrimp Balls, Sliced Salmon, Sea Conch, and Assorted Mushrooms

Stone Rice Bowl with Vegetables

Miso Soup

Mousse and Ice Cream Dessert

**I recommend the BBQ combo if you had to choose one, but both are bomb. And most likely you will go with more than one person, so have someone else get the hot pot and share. 

And Oh my goodness, the ice cream dessert is heaven.  I would advise to go for the chocolate as it’s creamy and rich (the strawberry was more like a sorbet than ice cream).

With all of us foodies just sticking to the BBQ this time, we’ll be back at least once more for the Hot Pot and then again to keep our taste buds happy.

Next Stop:

Tuesday, Nov. 3rd: All-Star Sports Bar & Grill (to introduce a few foodies to the best burger in town)

Wednesday, Nov. 4th:  Gourmet Month Break – Black Sesame Kitchen’s Wine ‘n Dine Special (10 course meal & all-you-can-drink wine for only RMB 150)

Thursday, Nov. 5th: Olas Tapas Cafe - new restaurant I have yet to try.

For the rest of the month, here are my top 10 picks:

• Bei – Most amazing looking menu
• Mare’s - I want to check out the new location
• Hatsune – The Q Roll alone is worth going for
• SALT – I want to try both their lunch & dinner menu
• Oden – Perfect remedy to the bitter cold winter weather
• Enoteca – Great meal WITH a glass of wine
• Meat & Wine Co. – One of my favorites from last April’s Gourmet Month
• Za’atar – Very unique menu in comparison to the rest (but in Shunyi)
• Morel’s - One of Beijing’s oldest restaurants that I have yet to try
• Haiku – Menu is totally different from Hatsune and it’s just next door to my home

Comments:

• From my experiences last April, I try to avoid most hotel restaurants, which have all been very, very empty.  It’s creepy to be the only people dining in a restaurant.  Exception may be to try Tamarind, who’s menu is pretty impressive (not to mention extensive) and reviews have been well received.  Plus, I love good Indian food.
• Brasserie Flo offers a generous menu (I tried last April), but the decor was pretty tacky and the food wasn’t enough to bring me back a second time around.
• I automatically boycott any restaurant that charges RMB 250 for chicken as the main entree.  *Ahem* Astor Grill.  Weak Sauce.
• I’m disappointed Mosto upped their price from 150 to 250 and the selection is quite minimal compared to last time around. Isn’t the point of Gourmet Month to provide good value and impress first-timers to return? Bummer.

*Originally I had planned to create a calendar with designated Gourmet Month Menu days, but I can’t seem to plan more than 4 days ahead.  From reading this entry, you know my top targets, so just shoot me an e-mail if you want me to include you/notify you when I decide to go to the restaurant you want to try too.  As always, the more the merrier.   kristen@lumdimsum.com

A Tour of ‘The New Beijing’

It seems like a lifetime ago, but when I first moved to Beijing in 2006, I came as a student to study Mandarin at World Link Education.  Back in those days, everything was all play and stress-free – ah, the life as a student.  My crew’s regular hangout spot was Together Bar (which was recently demolished this summer and replaced with a park) and our regular party spots included none other than Babyface, Cargo, Bar Blu, Kai Bar, Suzie Wong’s and Vics (before the re-model).

Since then, so much has changed in Beijing pre and post the 2008 Olympics.

This October holiday, my best friend from World Link, Sophia Gericke came back to visit for 10 days – a visit that has been both refreshing and eye-opening.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the small things and forget to see the big picture.  It’s hard to imagine that only a year ago, there was no Sanlitun Village, there was no Opposite House, no Bling, no Solana, no Legation Quarter, etc. etc.

With Sophia back in Beijing after a 3 years, I wanted her to experience the best of what I like to call, ‘The New Beijing’.

Having already lived in Beijing, Sophia had no interest in seeing any tourist attractions, so I was able to really give her a taste of Beijing’s new and improved dining and nightlife scene.

Here’s what the 10 day tour consisted of:

1. Sanlitun Village (Hatsune, Karaiya, Blue Frog for drinks, Panino Teca)
2. Opposite House (Alan’s Hotel Party in one of the suites, Mesh & Punk)
3. Solana (All-Star & Bling)
4. Legation Quarter Tour & dinner @ Capital M (Qianmen Pedestrian Street)
5. Park Hyatt’s Xiu
6. Olympic Green (complete with attending the Turandot Opera in Bird’s Nest)
7. 1949-The Hidden City: Club Décolleté, Club Glen, Sugar Cafe, Well Bar
8. Scarlett (Hotel G)
9. Glen Boutique Bar & Oden
10. d lounge
    

    Keep it Gangsta Party @ BLING

11. Vics (renovated)
12. Block 8‘s Ruby Khi (renovated)
13. Suzie Wong’s (unchanged)
14. Chocolate Club
15. Vineyard Cafe (best Sunday brunch)
16. Chef Too (Sunday brunch)
17. Regency Taipan (massage)
18. PurpleJade Country Club (spa)

ODEN: Contemporary Japanese Comfort

For the first time in a contemporary Japanese restaurant, the traditional Japanese stew, oden, is the spotlighted specialty dish on the menu.  Here at Oden, a modern yet intimate Japanese sake restaurant, they serve this popular Japanese comfort food along with cherished and innovative Japanese cuisine that perfectly compliment Oden’s unbeatable sake tasting sets.

Their specialty oden sets include premium products in a fragrant and nourishing soup made from scratch. Some of the consisting quality ingredients include abalone, giant prawns, bamboo shoots, and various other fresh seafood items flown in daily from Japan.   With the winter season approaching, this nourishing stew will be the perfect remedy to warm your stomach and enjoy among friends.

An oden set inclusive of the typical traditional ingredients is RMB 70, which can be upgraded to the oden special set at RMB 180 comprising of more premium seafood ingredients.

Oden aside, their small, focused menu also features a selection of appetizers, fresh salads, assorted sashimi, innovative sushi rolls (Foie gras sushi roll with fresh mango), premium teppanyaki grill items including Kobe beef sirloin steak and giant prawns, and Japanese staples such as their Inaniwa Udon noodles.

Last but not least, Oden features the best sake samplers in town. You can choose between three different grades of sake tasting flights inclusive of 8 premium sake samplers starting from RMB 160, RMB 260 & 360.  A sake tasting set of 16 is RMB 390.  If you’re not a sake lover, oden also serves a selection of high-grade plum wines, syochu and cocktails courtesy of neighboring Glen Boutique Bar.

With tall glass windows all around, everything dressed in white and a seating capacity of only 28 people, Oden’s simple Japanese style with a touch of traditional Chinese flair combines to create an original, stylish environment.  Utilizing a brilliant concept, Oden’s unique furniture is completely movable producing unlimited possibilities of 3-tier seating arrangements for a fresh look and atmosphere every day. Oden’s all-white design further accentuates the premium food and the white lace screens create an ambiance of intimacy and privacy in a contemporary, comfortable setting perfect for a date or a group of friends.

By the same owner of Glen Boutique Bar, Wilfred Kwok has never compromised on quality, always in a pursuit of excellence, to provide the highest quality and a unique experience in each of his four venues: Glen Boutique Bar, Club Décolleté, Club Glen and Oden.

I encourage you to experience Oden, new Japanese sake restaurant serving traditional Japanese comfort food together with the best sake tasting sets in town.

Oden:  203 Taiyue Suites, 16 Sanlitun Nanlu

三里屯南路16号，太悦203室

Phone: 6506 6700

Open Daily from 6pm-2am

*Note: Due to limited seating, Reservations are required before 10pm

Best Part:

• Foie Gras Sushi Roll with Fresh Mango: melts in your mouth and reason in and of itself to go back regularly
• Oden Sets – soup is made from scratch – it’s super healthy, nourishing, warms your stomach and soothes your body inside and out
• The menu is limited, but focused and extremely well executed – definitely quality over quantity
• Owner is Wilfred Kwok (creator and owner of Glen Boutique Bar, a Japanese whiskey bar with the best cocktails in town) so you know you’re dealing with a professional perfectionist who will deliver above your expectations
• Design is brilliant with the movable furniture – every day will have a different set-up and ambiance for a fresh, new look
• It’s open until 2am, so you can eat there late night

Comments:

• Max seating is 28 pax, so it’s a very cozy space – Note: Reservations are REQUIRED before 10pm
• A bit tricky to find – it’s located just beside Glen Boutique Bar (2nd floor of Taiyue Suites on Sanlitun NanLu) – the door is wooden with no signage – just an image of a stick figure holding Oden