Be Merry this Christmas: Beijing’s Best Holiday Feasts

Christmas is literally just around the corner (sorry for not posting this sooner!), but hopefully this reaches all Beijingers before it’s too late!  If you don’t have Christmas plans yet and you’re anti-hotels like me, there’s still plenty of quality options for a special Christmas/NYE dinner at Beijing’s top dining destinations.

Merry Christmas and with only a few days left, I hope you all make the best of the rest of 2011!

Christmas Dinner Break Down: (in alphabetical order)

1. Agua’s Spanish Holiday Menus

Agua’s arranged for special Spanish set dinner menus for the days surrounding both Christmas and New Year’s at RMB 388 or RMB 528 per person.  You can indulge in Agua’s signature suckling pig or some of their other house specialities this holiday season.

RSVP: 5208-6188

2. Blue Frog’s 3-course X-Mas Dinner 

Blue Frog provides a simple, no-fuss holiday 3-course Xmas dinner menu for only RMB 298 per person.  And if you know anyone who’s a massive Blue Frog Fan, you can treat them to a gift card from their favorite frog.

RSVP: 6417-4030

3. An Very M Christmas and New Years

Christmas trees, roaring fireplaces and traditional holiday goodies – Capital M has prepared everything you could want for a warm, intimate holiday occasion with Christmas carols, holiday treats and of course their stunning views. Check out their happenings for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day below.

RSVP:  reservations@capital-m-beijing.com    (86-10) 6702 2727

M’s Holiday Menus Here:

 Christmas Eve Dinner

6pm, with Christmas carols by the International Festival Choir at 7.30pm

Christmas Specials, served alongside our a la carte menu ~ and Christmas crackers & holiday treats

 Christmas Family Lunch

11:30-5pm, with Christmas carols at 1.30pm by the International Festival Chorus

Adults: RMB 488 and Kids (over 3 years): RMB188, including gifts and lots of Christmas treats

Celebrate an old-fashioned family Christmas at Capital M: Santa reads Christmas stories by the fireplace, with hot chocolate and marshmallows for the kids, and a Christmas gift, of course!

Christmas Dinner at 6PM

Christmas Specials, served alongside our a la carte menu, with Christmas crackers, holiday treats and surprises for all!

New Years Eve at Capital M

988 RMB per person (pre-booked/pre-paid tickets only)

Begin your New Year’s Eve celebration with Champagne cocktails and canapés around the bar with our Brass Band performing Jazz, followed by a delectable seven-course menu. As the clock strikes 12, savour the unforgettable experience of a Champagne toast on the terrace overlooking Tian’anmen.  Includes Champagne cocktails and canapés and a Taittinger Champagne toast on the terrace at midnight.

 New Year’s Brunch- 11:30am-5:00pm

288 RMB per person 

Ring in the New Year with Capital M’s delicious New Year’s brunch: it’s a fabulous start to the year!

4. Celebrate Christmas Twice at The Hutong –

A very cozy, humble and homely type place, The Hutong would probably be my choice pick for where to spend Christmas holiday with close friends.  They are also winning me over with their combined dinner + Christmas classic – A Christmas Story (organized by Electric Shadows).

If you are also looking for where to spend Christmas Eve, you can enjoy an interactive cooking class and learn all the holiday staples – Roasted Turkey, glazed carrots, homemade gravy, red cabbage cider, apple crumble, just to name a few.  Celebrate Christmas Twice at The Hutong.

RSVP: 15901046127

5. Lollipop Bakery’s Holiday Cups of Love

Lollipop Bakery‘s spiced apple and cinnamon cupcakes decorated in snowflakes and holiday colors might be “the perfect treat to enjoy next to a glowing log fire with a steaming cup of tea.”  RMB 340 per dozen with holiday decoration or just RMB 220 per dozen of cupcakes in standard decoration.

To Order, call: 13552772683 or Email: Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn

6. Migas Might Fancy Holiday Menus

Migas is going mighty fancy with a beautiful 5-course Christmas meal for RMB 380 per person and also an 8-course New Year’s Menu for RMB 500 per person or RMB 900 paired with Arzuaga wines.

RSVP:  5208-6061

7. Modo’s 4-course Christmas Eve & NYE Dinner Celebrations

Modo’s Christmas Eve Dinner Set Menu is RMB 390 per person and RMB 420 for their NYE set menu.  See full menus here.

RSVP: 6415-7207

Be Merry at Modo

8. Mosto Christmas Dinner

Mosto’s 4 course Christmas Eve menu is priced at RMB 490 per person and their 5-course NYE menu is set at RMB 550 per person.

RSVP: 5208-6030

9. SALT’s Special Holiday Dinner

SALT will be hosting 4 special dinners: Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day (12PM-10PM), NYE Countdown Dinner from 6PM-Midnight and New Year’s Day Brunch from 12PM-4PM.  Leave it to owner Gaby Alves and chef Paolo to put together some really special holiday meals for Beijingers with options for meal + free flow drinks or just the special set menus of 2-5 courses.

RSVP Essential as Seating is Limited: 6537  8457

Here is SALT’s Holiday Meals Breakdown:

SALT Christmas Eve – Saturday December 24, 6-10.30pm

Indulge with friends and family for SALT’S Christmas Eve as Chef Paulo De Souza adds contemporary flair to traditional Christmas Cuisine. Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras Scent and Dark Chocolate-Sherry Sauce and Black Forest Glass, Dark Chocolate Marquise, Cherry Pavlova will tempt while special Christmas Cocktails and Champagne ensure a delightful evening. 5 courses 398 rmb.

SALT Christmas Day – Sunday December 25. 12pm-10pm

Celebrate Christmas with an extended brunch, late lunch, early dinner or evening get-together as SALT opens it kitchen all day to present a fun, warming Christmas with festive flair. Roast Turkey, Pressed Apples, Glazed Wild Pork Roulade, Corn Roesti and Figs and Spiced Bread Crusted Foie Gras with Pumpkin Cannelloni will delight.  2 courses 218 rmb, 3 courses 258 rmb. 2 courses + free flow 428 rmb. 3 courses + free flow 468 rmb.

New Year’s Eve Sparkling Celebrations – Saturday December 31, 6pm-midnight.
Light up the night at SALT for their popular New Year’s Eve Sparkling Celebrations. Ring in the new year with an innovative 5 course feast and free flow sparkling in delightful festive surrounds. 5 courses 568 rmb. 5 courses + free flow 798 rmb.

New Year’s Day – Sunday January 1, 2012, 12-4pm
Welcome in 2012 with a celebration (or recovery!) cocktail or two and a scrumptious brunch at SALT. Delicious contemporary cuisine, hearty portions, free flowing sparkling and tempting treats from the bar. 2 courses 218 rmb, 3 courses 258 rmb. 2 courses + free flow 428 rmb. 3 courses + free flow 468 rmb.

10. Susu’s Special Xmas Dinner for Two

Christmas at Susu is something sweet and perfectly shared between two.  Price for 7 dishes shared between 2 is RMB 666 total.

RSVP:  84002699, or email: beijingsusu@gmail.com

SUSU’s Special Christmas Set

12.24-25.2011

Susu Champagne Cocktail

Sugar Cube, Angostura Bitters

Shrimp & Pork Spring Roll

The classic, with a pinch of pineapple. Homemade peanut dip

Salmon Cucumber Salad

Salmon seared and diced, cubed cucumber, bed of greens, squeeze of lime.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup

Legendary. With lemongrass & shrimp paste, sliced beef and pork.

Tamarind King Prawns

A Statuesque pair drizzled with tamarind reduction, steamed vegetables.

Shaking Beef

Cubed and flash fried with sautéed onions, green pepper. Side of sweet potato fries.

Lemongrass Panna Cotta

With pear confit, red wine reduction

 Susu’s Tamarind Prawns

11. Terra’s South-American Holiday Menu

In line with SALT, TERRA will also be hosting holiday dinner for the days surrounding both Christmas and New Years.

“At Terra we go beyond the standard traditional fare and spice up the holidays with a delicious South-American styled Menu…with the inclusion of… mouth-watering South American Roast Suckling Pig.” – Jennifer Eden, PR Director for both TERRA and SALT

RSVP: 6591 9148

 Check out full menus at their website here and see below for summary of each -

A Very Terra Christmas – Saturday December 24 6-11pm & Sunday December 25 11am-11pm

Terra presents a festive menu with Latin twists and old favourites. Chef Paulo De Souza spices up Christmas with Tender Turkey, Succulent Seafood, Christmas Ceviche and of course, Christmas Churros and delicious desserts. Perfectly paired with Terra’s Winter Rum Cocktails or go free flow and liven up the season!
2 courses 218 rmb, 3 courses 258 rmb. 2 courses + free flow 428 rmb, 3 courses + free flow 468 rmb.

New Year’s Eve – Party Menu – Saturday December 31, 6pm-late
Ring in the new year with excellent contemporary cuisine, serious sparkling and great tunes in Terra’s modern, hip surrounds. 4 courses and free flow ensures a night full of fun, laughter and luck. 4 courses 358 rmb. 4 courses + free flow bubbly or beer 578 rmb.

New Year’s Day – Revive, Recover and Celebrate! Sunday January 1, 2012, 11am-11pm.
It’s time for resolutions, recovery and more fun. Kick back in style and enjoy Chef Paulo De Souza’s delicious New Year’s Day menu and a bit more bubbly – why not?
2 courses 218 rmb. 3 courses 258 rmb. 2 courses + free flow 428 rmb. 3 courses + free flow 468 rmb. 

…and that’s a wrap!  

*Merry Christmas and Enjoy the Last Days of 2011!*

Modo Monsters Devour New Menu

Looking at these four smiling faces, you might not suspect the stomach capabilities we possess.  In fact, I don’t think any of us even knew how much we could handle.  Going into this dinner, we weren’t even particularly hungry by any means.  This was a standard dinner that came about rather spontaneously and out of nowhere, we were suddenly overcome by our cravings and transformed into Modo Monsters.

Initially, we ordered about 8 dishes off the menu thinking that would be more than enough food to share between the 4 of us.  But looking at this new menu, we all had our own favorites to choose from, plus a few new menu items we had not previously tried.  After finishing all that we ordered each time, we kept adding more dishes until we realized we had consumed the majority of the entire menu!

Modo’s Menu:

LumDimSum Snapshots of Modo’s Dishes:

Complimentary Bread / Venison Tenderloin Carpaccio with Smoked Oil, Arugula & Aged Manchego Cheese (RMB 85)

Warm Octopus Salad with Shredded Crispy Potatoes (RMB 60) / Seared Scallops Caramelized with Paul Sugar, Spicy Polenta, Remoulade Sauce & Garlic Chips (RMB 75)

Wagyu Beef Meatball with Heirloom Tomato Sauce (RMB 80) / Australian Grain-Beef Tournedos, Roasted Pumpkin, Rochefort Butter & Wine Reduction (RMB 120)

Pork Tenderloin Anticucho with Lily Root, Roasted Vegetables & Citrus Reduction (RMB 75) / Crispy Pork Belly with Roasted Red Apples (RMB 65)

Slow Braised Lamb Shamk with Black Truffle Mashed Potatoes (RMB 85)

Seared Langoustine with Chickpeas & Chorizo Stew  / Spinach & Ricotta Malfatti with Roasted Pears, Mushrooms & Shaved Pecorino Cheese (RMB 65)

Dill-crusted Codfish with Wild Rice & Mushroom Pilaf, Confit Fennel, Lemongrass Veloute (RMB 95) / Cappelletti Filled with Shrimp, Leeks & Walnuts, Creamy Pesto Sauce (RMB 75)

Dessert: White Chocolate Mousse with Black Currant Sorbet & Tuile (RMB 65) / Nutella Creme Brulee with Roasted Hazlenus

Highlights of the meal were definitely the Warm Octopus Salad, Wagyu Beef Meatball, Australian Grain-Beef Tournedos and the ultimate winner was by far the Lamb Shank with Black Truffle Mashed Potatoes.  The lamb was off-the-hook-good – super flavorful, tender and really just melted in my mouth!

Modo consistently delivers exceptional dishes with high-quality ingredients and cooked to perfection.  Each dish is presented so well and unique in it’s own right.

The only dish that failed to meet expectations was the pesto cappelletti which the pasta was quite hard and not cooked soft enough.

After 12 dishes, I can’t believe we still managed to clean off two more desserts to top off our food comas. (But then again, I guess there’s always room for dessert!)  In the end, it was all exceptionally delicious but I really don’t know how we managed to function after consuming such a gluttonous amount of food!

Ba Da Boom: Evidence of the Demolition of Modo’s Menu

Migas 2-for-1 Lunch Promo

To celebrate the beginning of 2011, Migas is offering everyone a 2-for-1 Lunch menu promo! All you need to do is print out this coupon (above photo) and bring it to Migas to receive your complimentary menu.

This offer is valid until the end of February 2011.

*Note: Migas will be closed for Chinese New Year from Jan 31st – Feb 9th.

Migas 2-for-1 Lunch Promo Details:

• Date: Now – February 28
  
• Time: Lunch Hours: 12PM-3PM
• Location: Migas Restaurant & Lounge
• Reservations: 5208 6061
• Address: 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun North Road, 三里屯北街81号那里花园6层
• Website: www.migasbj.com

Agua Makes a Big Comeback in Nali

With the opening of a fine dining establishment such as Agua, I think the entire reputation of Nali Patio just stepped up a notch.

The original home of Let’s Burger, Mosto, Niajo and Mughal’s, Nali Patio has improved ten-fold with new happening spaces such as Apothecary, Migas, Enoterra and now the high-end Spanish restaurant Agua with Chef Jordi and his highly sought-after suckling pig.

Having just recently opened its doors for the first time since its move from Ch’ien Men 23 aka Legation Quarter, Agua re-opens with a Private Kitchen Menu by Chef Jordi inclusive of a sampling of 3 delicious Tapitas followed by a four-course meal for only RMB 308 per person.

Having dined several times at its original location in Ch’ien Men, I was surprised to see how much the decor and style of the venue has changed.  From it’s bright red walls and grandeur columns all around, Agua now features a high ceiling and a big, open space surrounded by all-white brick walls and minimalistic decor.  There is a bar at the entrance, two beautiful private dining rooms and Agua will open a rooftop terrace during the warmer summer months.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Agua’s Interior:

Main Entrance and Bar

Kitchen Window & Semi-Circle Dining Booths

Entrance to Private Dining Rooms & One of two Private Dining Rooms

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the restaurant manager Richard Pirsch, who led us to our table and then Chef Jordi also came over to introduce the menu while Richard recommended some nice wines to pair with our meal.

Our meal began with the best tasting ham and mushroom croquette I have seriously ever tasted together with 3 Tapitas: Homemade Chorizo, Shrimps with garlic and herbs and Picadillo (marinated pork chunks in Spanish paprika). While I was a big fan of the shrimp, my fellow foodie favored the chorizo.

We were then served a Smoked Japanese mackerel with herbs  salad and diced tomato.  I thought the mackerel was an interesting choice for Agua to serve, but the fishy flavor was not as pungent or as tough as I had expected and it paired well with the tomatoes and herbs salad.

The pumpkin soup was probably the highlight of my meal. Never have I seen pumpkin soup served with a poached egg and I must say, it worked beautifully.  And it was a nice touch to have the waitstaff pour the pumpkin soup over the dish in front of you.

The main dish was a slow-cooked Wagyu veal cheek with marinated plums and beets.  Once again, the waitress came around and poured gravy over the meat, and as I sliced into the veal, the meat just fell apart. It was perfectly cooked and the flavors were a perfect balance of sweet (marinated plums) and savory (gravy and veal cheek).

To top it all off, we had Galician-style crepes with lemon custard, Greek yogurt and “Moscatel Oro” ice cream. I’m glad the portion was small because by this point, I was already a stuffed Humpty Dumpty and to be perfectly honest, this was the low-point of the meal.  I normally love natural Greek yogurt but the sour flavor was a bit overwhelming in this dessert and with a sweet tooth like mine, I guess I prefer rich chocolate or something sweeter rather than sour at the end of a big meal.

Overall, it was a wonderful meal and a very satisfying experience (round of applause for Chef Jordi, Richard and their team) and it should be noted that this meal is great value for only RMB 308 per person.  I will definitely be back to check out the entire menu and in their future tasting menu, they promise to feature their famous suckling pig as the main entree, served table-side!

A few other things to look forward to – Next week, Agua begins serving its full a la carte menu with a new tasting menu and in two weeks, Agua will launch its lunch menu – 2 courses for RMB 88 and 3 courses for RMB 98.

Review of Agua: Above Apothecary, next to Enoterra, 4th Floor of Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, 三里屯北路81号那里花园3层, Tel: 6559-6266

Best Part:

• Best suckling pig in town
• Chef Jordi is one of the most talented chefs in Beijing
• Expect very professional service and special treatment from both the restaurant manager and Chef Jordi himself
• A very high-end New York restaurant decor with white brick walls, low lighting and minimalistic decor
• Cozy ambiance with nice booth or table seating to choose from.
• Beautiful VIP rooms in the back surrounded in glass.
• Will launch a set lunch menu: RMB 68 for 2-courses or RMB 98 for 3-courses.

Comments:

• Considering they’ve just opened, the standard of service was very impressive and every step of the meal was transitioned and executed smoothly and professionally.
• While each dish of Jordi’s Private Kitchen Tasting Menu was all very good, little croquette aside, there was not really one course that made my jaw drop…and perhaps that’s because Jordi’s suckling pig was not one of the dishes served tonight.
• It’s wonderful to see Nali develop over the past few years and I am certain that Agua alone will raise the reputation of Nali Patio as one of Beijing’s top dining destinations.
• Nali Patio is now Spanish Restaurant Central: Carmen, Migas, Niajo and now Agua!

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 7
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 8

Do It “the Modo Way”

New addition to Sanlitun Village‘s hip and happening third floor dining level, Modo is a petit Spanish restaurant (approx. 70 pax seating capacity) that specializes in petit dishes. Co-owned by Mosto’s Daniel Urdaneta and Alex Molina, Modo showcases a beautiful open kitchen and a wine bar serving 18 wines by the glass and 80 by the bottle.

Modo's Open Kitchen

As the case with many newly opened restaurants, there’s been a lot of buzz about Modo. From opening until today, I have heard mixed reviews of Modo.

While the general Beijing consensus of Mosto is a big two thumbs up, people seem perplexed by Modo.  I’ve heard complaints about it being too expensive, I’ve heard the portions are just too small, I’ve heard complaints about the location and seating, but I think the main source of the problem is that everyone is comparing Modo to Mosto.  The same way that TERRA is NOT SALT, MODO is NOT MOSTO (love all the CAPS).

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I don’t see how so many people can make all of these complaints when Modo explains how your dining experience will be as soon as you enter. Right when you sit down in MODO, you receive a very clean, straight-forward menu that clearly states its restaurant concept/philosophy.

In Spanish, modo means ‘manner’ or ‘way’.

We encourage patrons to enjoy the food we serve the Modo way, which means no starters, no mains, no sides: pick a selection of Small Plates – as we call them – share them with your friends and just relish in the variety of flavours we have to offer. The Small Plates are served fresh out of our open kitchen, in no particular order: once ready they go straight to your table. This is eating the Modo way. On the other hand, if you have your own modo in mind, just let us know. We are here to make you happy.”

Clean. Simple. Straight to the point.  It’s not “your way or the highway”.  It’s “the Modo Way”.  So go with it.

Between a group of ten of us, we not only ordered a broad selection of the menu, we ordered two orders of each dish. We also shared 3 bottles of wine and the total bill was only RMB 150 per person.

Out of the 17 Small Plate dishes on the menu, we ordered 11. Favorites among the table were the Octopus Salad, Seared Rare Tuna and Pesto Capelletti.

Here’s the whole sha-bang:

Crunchy Salad (RMB 40), South American Corn Polenta with Avocado, Chicken, Fresh Cheese and Spicy Pepper Sauce (RMB 40)

Seared Rare Tuna, Mango and Avocado Salad, Tamarind-Sesame Sauce (RMB 60), Goat Cheese and Feta Tortelli, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Organic Butternut Squash Foam, Thyme Oil (RMB 60)

“Smorrebrod“, Herbs Herring with Crema Cheese Truffles and Radish on Rye Toast (RMB 55), Duck “Ceviche” Braised Duck Leg, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Corn and Citrus Juices (RMB 55)

Warm Octopus Salad with Shredded Crispy Potatoes (RMB 55), Crispy Pork Belly with Roasted Red Apples (RMB 65)

Cappelleti Filled with Shrimp, Leeks and Walnuts, Creamy Pesto Sauce (RMB 60), Braised Lamb Shank Raviolone with Rosemary-wine demi sauce (RMB 70)

Review of Modo: Located between Karaiya Spice House and Tony Studio on 3rd Floor of Sanlitun Village: S10-31, 3/F, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Rd,三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S10-31, Tel: 6415-7207

Best Part:

• With Mosto’s Daniel Urdaneta and Alex Molina behind Modo, you can count on them to produce quality food, ambiance and service.
• I highly recommend the Octopus Salad (RMB 55).
• A great date place if you’re in the mood to enjoy fine wines with nibbles.
• Very reasonably priced wines by the glass and by the bottle.
• Great ambiance and buzz in the restaurant with people sitting both outside, downstairs and upstairs.
• Service was on point, impressive and professional.

Comments:

• While it is the “Modo way” to only have Small Dishes, I think I still prefer to have a 3 course menu with appetizers, mains and desserts rather than trying to fill up on tapas, where essentially every dish is the size of an appetizer.
• It’s better to dine at Modo with a bigger group so that everyone can share a wider selection of tapas.  As I mentioned, for the group of ten of us, we ordered two of each dish and it was plenty of food for everyone and including 3 bottles of wine, total was only RMB 150 per person.  I think it can be quite pricey with only 2 or 3 people though.

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 8
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 7

LumDimSummary: Migas Soft & Grand Openings

A newly opened Spanish restaurant on the 6th floor of Nali Patio, Migas celebrates their restaurant opening with both a private soft opening party on Wednesday, August 18 and a grand opening launch party on Friday, August 20th.

Despite the pouring rain on Wednesday night, Migas still managed to pack the house serving everyone Spanish wines and cava (sparkling Spanish wine) together with a wide selection of giant Spanish and Mediterranean tapas.

While the rooftop lounge opened this weekend, the restaurant will officially be opening on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.

• Address: 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun North Road, 三里屯北街81号那里花园6层
• Tel: 5208-6061

Snapshots of Migas’ Invite-Only Soft Opening Party on Wednesday, Aug. 18:

Rooftop Lounge Opening Party on Friday, August 20:

A Whole New World of Dining @ World City

Just north of The Place, the new complex World City is quickly filling up with delightful, new restaurants and cafes – marking it’s place in Beijing’s ever-evolving and growing dining scene.

It’s relatively a new apartment complex equipped with its own gym, cinema, and business center, but they’ve also got a few shops – The Source (shop selling T-shirts to sneakers) along with new additions to the dining scene.

So far, their restaurant record is strong, going 2 for 2! Both places I’ve been introduced to – San Francisco eatz! & Mosaico have been most impressive and have left me craving for more.

Owned by Professor Bruce Quan, a professor at Peking University Law School, San Francisco eatz! was originally started to assist Chinese university students with financial assistance, real world and western cross cultural skills training in addition to their normal studies while at the university. That little bit of background aside, this is a great spot for a quick bite.  Located on the main floor of SOHO Shangdu, SF eatz! is mainly a catering company serving embassies, businesses, etc. but they also have a few places to sit with a counter top and 2 small tables.  I recommend their sandwiches (Napa Valley Style Smoked Turkey Breast, California Style Roast Beef, etc.), Chicken Quesadilla, Soups in Sourdough Bread Bowls, and pasta salad.  They also serve Asian Fusion Dishes, pasta, burgers and hot dogs (but these I do not recommend).

Review of San Francisco eatz!:   1/F, SOHO Shangdu West Bldg., Dong Daqiao Lu, CBD/Guomao, SOHO尚都西座一层;   Tel: 136-0111-8803

Best Part:

• Simple, California-style dishes with fresh ingredients and fair prices.
• Great option for catering (from small dinner parties to 1,000 pax events)
• They have sourdough bread bowls!  (but clam chowder was not as thick has I had hoped and it was a bit small)
• Very friendly service – both the owner and his wife are super nice and a portion of the restaurants profits go to worthy community based projects chosen by the university students themselves.

Comments:

• They are only open for lunch (not after 4 or 5PM)
• As they are mainly a catering business, they do not have much seating available and are often out of certain menu items.
• Burgers are not that good and food quality/taste is not that consistent.
• Nothing is particularly extraordinary, but I love the concept and if I’m in the area, I love to stop by to grab food on the go.
• Relatively new start-up, I hope that they begin expanding soon!

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 3
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 6

Mosaico is a new Spanish restaurant serving delicious tapas and a nice wine list.  I checked out their 4-course set lunch menu, which included a soup, salad, main course and dessert.  The atmosphere is lovely, service was very professional (Spanish manager), and quality was great.

Review of Mosaico: World City, No. 10 Dongdaqiao Road, CBD/Guomao  东大桥路10号 世贸天阶北边; Tel: 8590-7855, 139-1150-7006, 138-1172-3840

Best Part:

• Authentic Spanish restaurant that serves Jamon Iberico from Spain and a great tapas selection
• Quality, fresh ingredients, extensive food and wine menu
• Beautiful decor and professional service

Comments:

• I had a nice experience, but I would still prefer Niajo Spanish Restaurant in Nali Patio (best Paella EVER)
• A bit pricey (so I recommend set lunch special)
• Still relatively new and beautifully designed, but atmosphere is lacking as it’s been pretty empty every time I’ve been there or passed by

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 7
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 7

In the World City area, I poked my head around and I also found YueHe Vietnamese Restaurant, a small Korean restaurant speacializing in Korean stone rice bowls, a Costa Coffee Cafe with a Polar Party Ice Cream section serving ice cream combos, milk shakes, hot dogs and popcorn…there’s something for everyone!  *Ahem*

Seriously though, I’d stick with Mosaico, SF eatz!, or pop next door to The Place and feel good at CJW, Trends’ Lounge or Enoteca for quality food for great value.

Niajo: Taste of Valencia, España

I have heard nothing but good things and now I’m extending the grapevine. 

Niajo, a traditional Spanish restaurant, located just beside Kocoon Spa on the 3rd floor of Nali Garden Patio, has just opened its doors and their paella is really something to talk about.

Alex Sanchez, owner and chef, was most hospitable and professional.  My table of four came hungry and after having shared a bottle of wine, an assorted cheese platter (generous portions and plenty for 4 people for only RMB 95), and their specialty paella (it says it’s meant for two, but it was more than enough for four of us to share; RMB 148) we were delighted to have found such a gem.

Niajo Spanish Restaurant Review: 3/F C305A, Nali Garden North Building, Sanlitun (next to Kocoon Spa)  三里屯北街81号 Tel: 5208 6052

Best Part:

• Generous Portions (huge cheese platter & they say their paella is good for 2 people, and in reality it’s good for 4-5 pax).
• Extensive wine selection for good prices
• Spaniards approve the restaurant’s food authenticity
• Casual, bistro setting with nice interior colors & I love open kitchens
• Owner & Chef Alex is a great host

Comments:

• Still in pre-opening stages with printed paper menus and wine list
• Seating is a bit cafeteria style and lighting still needs to be fine-tuned
• Hopefully with Niajo and Let’s Seafood open and also Apocathery’s opening this week, this will bring in more traffic to the Nali Area rather than diffuse the already crowded dining market. My premonition is that Sanlitun area, Nali Patio and Sanlitun Bei is just beginning to blossom and the list of incoming restaurants and bars is only going to continue to expand.

Owner & Chef, Alex Sanchez