Remember Punk: Closing Party Saturday, May 19

Posted: May 18th, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Bars & Nightlife, Upcoming Events | Tags: Bei, Closing Party, DJ Saul D, Punk, Sanlitun, Sureno, The Opposite House | No Comments »

Time to say Farewell to Punk

For the past year, Punk Club (located in the underground basement of The Opposite House) has been the club I most often frequent, the home of my favorite dance parties and my favorite resident DJ, dear friend and fellow foodie extraordinaire,  DJ Saul D.

After 4 strong years, Punk is saying farewell in style, throwing a final hurrah this Saturday, May 19 for a delirious dance party by resident DJ Saul D who will no doubt be spinning the dance floor into a zombie disco dance frenzy.

“It’s sad, but true. PUNK is closing. Stop by to say hi and goodbye. I will miss playing for you guys but all good things must come to and end. See you Saturday night.” – DJ Saul D

Let’s dance to all the good times we’ve had at Punk 

A classy, chic club with a whole lot of edge and personality, Punk is known as “a sanctuary of cool” and “where luxury goes underground”. It’s heartbreaking to see such a stand-out bar/club like Punk leave Beijing’s nightlife scene, but word on the street is that the space will be renovated into “something yummy”.

With Sureño and Bei just next door, it will be interesting to see what The Opposite House will decide to bring in as Punk’s replacement.

Punk will be replaced by “something yummy”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 10PM-late

• Location: Punk

• Address: B1 floor of The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Road, 三里屯11号

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

Posted: March 23rd, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Agua, Ai Mo Town, Alla Osteria, Annie's, Aria, Bao Yuan Dumpling House 宝源饺子屋, Barolo, Biteapitta, Blue Frog, Cafe Zarah, Capital M, Chimay, Chocolate, Comptoirs De France, Crescent Moon, Da Dong, Dali Courtyard, Duck de Chine, Element Fresh, Fairmont Hotel, Flamme, Ganges, Grand Marnier, Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory, Hai Di Lao, Hatsune, Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇, Hilton Beijing, Hoegaarden Beer, Home Plate Bar B-Que, Ignace Lecleir, Jin Ding Xuan, Karaiya Spice House, Kro's Nest, Leffe, Lime Cafe, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Middle 8, Mosto, Nanjing Impressions, Niajo, Obentos 本之味, Punjabi, Pure Lotus, Purple Haze, Restaurant Awards, Saveurs de Corée 韩香馆, Seth Grossman, Sureno, SuSu, Sweet Tooth, Tairyo Teppanyaki, Temple Restaurant Beijing, The Bookworm, The CUT Grill, The Orchard, The Veggie Table, theBeijinger, TRB, Vineyard Cafe, Xian Lao Man 馅老满 | 1 Comment »

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).

“During three weeks of voting, over 5,000 readers and consumers cast ballots in 50 different categories, for over 250 nominated restaurants.”

That’s right- 50 categories and 250 nominated restaurants!  I was wondering how they were planning to read through 50 different categories (would be a nightmare to list off so many winners for so many categories) so I was relieved to find that this year, they displayed 30 of the 50 categories in the winding hall into the main event space.

So right off the bat, we were given the winners for the majority of the awards. It was so unexpected to walk into these displays without expecting to see so many announced in advance. Running around to find the categories Hatsune was nominated in, I was beyond stoked to discover Hatsune won Best Japanese for the 8th year in a row and Hatsune also won Best Decor (Hatsune Sanlitun) and Outstanding for Best Business Lunch (Mosto won this one!).

Hatsune Wins Best Japanese Restaurant (8 year running!) Photo of Hatsune’s two restaurant managers

Other Big Winners from the 9th Annual Awards Ceremony Include:

• Maison Boulud – Winning 7 Awards in total –  Best French, Best Service (Non-Chinese), Best Wine List, Best for a Romantic Meal, Outstanding for Impressing Visitors, Outstanding Place for a Celebration and Outstanding for Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)

• Da Dong – Restaurant of the Year (Chinese), Best for Impressing Visitors (Chinese) , Best Beijing Duck, Outstanding for Best Service (Chinese)

• Home Plate Bar-B-Que – Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Seth Grossman), Best New Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese), Best American, Outstanding for Best Value for Money,

• Nanjing Impressions – Best New Restaurant (Chinese)

• Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – Outstanding for Best New Restaurant (Non-Chinese), Restaurant Personality of the Year (Ignace Lecleir), Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Decor

• Capital M – Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese), Best Outdoor Dining, Outstanding for Best Romantic Meal, Best Decor

Biggest Disappointments:

• Annie’s gets nominated for Best Service?  Seriously people?  Have you even eaten in the restaurant or are you just getting delivery to your home?  If we’re talking about best delivery service, GungHo! pizza wins hands down

• Tairyo Teppanyaki wins Best Place for Celebration?! I get that their “all-you-can-drink-and-eat deal” may draw you in at first, but the food is such low quality and everything tastes the same! Really surprised by this one.

• Blue Frog for Best Burger – they hav e a great two-for-one deal on Mondays, but there is definitely better burgers in Beijing

• Punjabi Indian Restaurant was not even in the running for the Best Indian category, people need to migrate east of Sanlitun!

• Seems like majority of restaurants that won are all located in the Sanlitun area.  Wish some of the more hidden gems got more recognition (ie Ai Mo Town for Best Yunnan)

• Wish Obentos got recognition in some of the categories they were nominated in! They definitely have the best salads in town in my opinion (much better than Annie’s anyway!)

Overall, it’s very exciting to see a small, little authentic American BBQ spot take over the entire awards ceremony!  Beating out big players like Maison Boulud and Hatsune (for Restaurant of the Year) and Temple Restaurant Beijing (for Best New Restaurant), this underdog came out of nowhere and really stole the show!

Congratulations to Home Plate Bar-B-Que!

Home Plate Bar-B-Que Team Wins Big! 

Photo courtesy of theBeijinger

Here is List of the 50 Categories’ Winners & Runner-Ups:

BEST AMERICAN
Readers’ Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding 
Blue Frog
Union Bar & Grille

LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que

BEST BEIJING DUCK
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Duck de Chine
Quanjude

LDS Vote: Made in China (Grand Hyatt)

BEST BRUNCH (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice 
Vineyard Café
Outstanding 
Chef Too
Element Fresh

LDS Vote: The Orchard

BEST BURGER
Readers’ Choice 
Blue Frog
Outstanding 
Fatburger
Let’s Burger Plus

LDS Vote: Maison Boulud

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Readers’ Choice 
Mosto
Outstanding 
Alameda
Hatsune

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST CAFÉ
Readers’ Choice 
The Bookworm
Outstanding 
Comptoirs de France
Vineyard Café

LDS Vote: Cafe Zarah

BEST DÉCOR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Lan Club
Outstanding 
Duck De Chine (Jinbao Jie location)
Pure Lotus (Changhong Qiao location)

LDS Vote: Duck de Chine (Jinbao Jie)

BEST DÉCOR (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Hatsune (Sanlitun location)
Outstanding 
Capital M
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: Capital M

BEST DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding 
1001 Nights
Chocolate

LDS Vote: Chocolate

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding 
Element Fresh
Grandma’s Kitchen
The Orchard

LDS Vote: The Orchard

BEST FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding 
Capital M
Mosto

LDS Vote: Capital M

BEST FRENCH
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding 
Brasserie Flo
Café de la Poste

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Duck de Chine
Haidilao

LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard

BEST IMPRESSING VISITORS (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Capital M
Outstanding 
Maison Boulud
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing 

BEST ITALIAN-AFFORDABLE
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding 
Alio Olio
La Pizza

LDS Vote: Alla Osteria

BEST JAPANESE
Readers’ Choice 
Hatsune
Outstanding 
Matsuko
Tairyo Teppanyaki

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST KOREAN
Readers’ Choice 
Saveurs de Coree
Outstanding 
Ai Jiang Shan
Han Na Shan

LDS Vote: Saveurs de Coree

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding 
Bellagio
Jin Ding Xuan

LDS Vote: Jin Ding Xuan or my local ch’uar stand

BEST MIDDLE-EASTERN
Readers’ Choice 
Biteapitta
Outstanding 
1001 Nights
Rumi

LDS Vote: Biteapitta

BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Readers’ Choice 
Capital M
Outstanding 
Blue Frog
Dali Courtyard

LDS Vote: Dali Courtyard

BEST PIZZA
Readers’ Choice 
Kro’s Nest
Outstanding 
Gung Ho! Pizza
The Tree

LDS Vote: Gung Ho! Pizza

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION
Readers’ Choice 
Tairyo Teppanyaki
Outstanding 
Maison Boulud
SALT

LDS Vote: Hatsune

BEST PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RESTAURANT
Readers’ Choice 
Chuan Ban (Sichuan Provincial Government Restaurant)
Outstanding 
Xinjiang Islam (Xinjiang Provincial Government Restaurant)
Yunteng Shifu (Yunnan Provincial Government Restaurant)

LDS Vote: Chuan Ban

BEST RUSSIAN
Readers’ Choice 
Traktirr Pushkin
Outstanding 
Chocolate
Elephant

LDS Vote: Chocolate (and all my Russian friends agree!)

BEST SALADS
Readers’ Choice 
Element Fresh
Outstanding 
Annie’s
Gung Ho! Pizza

LDS Vote: Obentos

BEST SPANISH
Readers’ Choice 
Agua
Outstanding 
Carmen
Migas

LDS Vote: Niajo

BEST THAI
Readers’ Choice 
Purple Haze
Outstanding 
Serve the People
Very Siam

LDS Vote: Lime Cafe (Central Park)

BEST VEGETARIAN
Readers’ Choice 
Pure Lotus
Outstanding 
Biteapitta
The Veggie Table

LDS Vote: Veggie Table

BEST XINJIANG
Readers’ Choice 
Crescent Moon
Outstanding 
BLCU Muslim Restaurant
Xinjiang Red Rose

LDS Vote: Crescent Moon

BEST YUNNAN
Readers’ Choice 
Middle 8th
Outstanding 
Dali Courtyard
In & Out

LDS Vote: Aimo Town

BEST DIM SUM
Readers’ Choice 
Jin Ding Xuan
Outstanding  
Crystal Jade
Lei Garden

LDS Vote: Heng Shan Hui 衡山汇

BEST DUMPLINGS
Readers’ Choice 
Bao Yuan Jiaozi
Outstanding 
Lao Beijing Jiaozi Guan
Xian Lao Man

LDS Vote: Xian Lao Man

BEST HOTEL BRUNCH
Readers’ Choice  
Bubbalicious, Seasonal Tastes, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Outstanding 
Aroma, Ritz-Carlton Beijing
Bubbly Sundays, Senses, Westin Beijing Financial Street

LDS Vote: Yi House Brunch in 798

BEST INDIAN/PAKISTANI
Readers’ Choice 
Ganges
Outstanding  
Indian Kitchen
Taj Pavilion

LDS Vote: Punjabi 

BEST BREAD
Readers’ Choice 
Comptoirs de France
Outstanding  
Kempi Deli, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
South German Bakery

LDS Vote: South German Bakery

BEST VIETNAMESE
Readers’ Choice 
Susu
Outstanding  
Le Little Saigon
Muse Parisian Vietnamese Brasserie

LDS Vote: Susu

BEST WINE LIST
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding  
Aria, China World Hotel
Enoterra

LDS Vote: Aria, China World Hotel

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Readers’ Choice 
Annie’s
Outstanding  
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
SALT

LDS Vote: Home Plate Bar-B-Que

BEST STEAK (STANDALONE)
Readers’ Choice 
Flamme International Grill
Outstanding
Chef Too
SALT

LDS Vote: Mosto

BEST STEAK (HOTEL)
Readers’ Choice 
CRU Steakhouse, JW Marriott Beijing
Outstanding  
Grange Grill, Westin Beijing Chaoyang
The Cut, Fairmont Beijing

LDS Vote: The Cut (Fairmont)

BEST SANDWICHES
Readers’ Choice 
Element Fresh
Outstanding  
Bocata
Comptoirs de France

LDS Vote: Home Plate’s Pulled Pork Sandwich

BEST ITALIAN – HIGH END
Readers’ Choice 
Sureno, Opposite House
Outstanding  
Cepe, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street
Tavola Italian Dining

LDS Vote: Barolo, Ritz Carlton

BEST MEXICAN/TEX-MEX
Readers’ Choice 
Luga’s Villa (tie)
Peter’s Tex-Mex (tie)
Outstanding  
The Saddle Cantina

LDS Vote: None, there is no good Mexican food in Beijing that I know of! But I heard Avocado Tree is good, but it’s in WDK.  I can’t wait for the Hutong Taco Bar to open up soon this summer (see here for details).

RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Readers’ Choice 
Seth Grossman, Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding  
Alan Wong, Hatsune/Kagen
Ignace Lecleir, Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: I’m biased, but my vote goes to Alan Wong of the Hatsune Restaurant Group

BEST SERVICE (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Haidilao
Outstanding  
Da Dong
Din Tai Fung

LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House

BEST SERVICE (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Maison Boulud
Outstanding  
Annie’s
SALT

LDS Vote: Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) – anywhere Ignace Lecleir is will be Beijing’s best serviced restaurant

NEW RESTAURANT (NON-CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding  
Susu
Temple Restaurant Beijing

LDS Vote: The Vine Leaf. Of the restaurants that were nominated, I’m a big fan of TRB, Home Plate, Susu and Obentos, but as they are all new restaurants, I think the only one that’s really ironed out its kinked and have the highest performance success is the Vine Leaf. Each and every dish on the menu is made with so much thought and care, Will Yorke has managed to defy the odds and show Beijingers that English food can be phenomenal! 

NEW RESTAURANT (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Nanjing Impression
Outstanding  
Green Bites To Go Dumpling Bar
IFW, Park Hyatt Beijing

LDS Vote: New Duck de Chine in Jinbao Jie

BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (CHINESE)
Readers’ Choice 
Da Dong
Outstanding 
Din Tai Fung
Duck de Chine

LDS Vote: Karaiya Spice House

BEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (NON-CHINESE)
Reader’s Choice 
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding 
Hatsune
Maison Boulud

LDS Vote: Hatsune

Full List of Winners can be viewed on theBeijinger’s blog page here and here.

See analysis and comparison between theBeijinger’s Annual Reader Restaurant Awards vs. DianPing.com here.

Beijing’s Best F&B Personalities (from L to R):

Alan Wong (Hatsune), Seth Grossman (Home Plate Bar-B-Que), Ignace Lecleir (Temple Restaurant Beijing)

Photo courtesy of theBeijinger 

*You can check out more photos from the awards ceremony on theBeijinger’s Photo Gallery.

 

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You Can’t Buy Love, But You Can Buy Dinner: Beijing’s Top Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinners

Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene, Special Events, Upcoming Events | Tags: Agua, Black Sesame Kitchen, Capital M, Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory, Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat, John O'Loghlen, Lollipop Bakery, Migas, Modo, Mosto, Obentos 本之味, Pie House, SALT, Sureno, Temple Restaurant Beijing, TERRA, Valentine's Day | No Comments »

Love is in the air…or so all Valentine’s Day advocates dreamily proclaim. But if you’re not a fan of all that sappy, lovey-dovey nonsense, just look forward to all the extra chocolates and treats that come along with this holiday!

This holiday gets a bad rap because of all the romantic pressure and unnecessary expectations associated with this day, but regardless of whether or not you are single, why not make the most of this day and take it for what it is. I say, think of this day as an excuse to pamper and treat yourself to a special dinner at one of Beijing’s top restaurants and milk this holiday for all its worth (you just have to bear through it once a year)!

You don’t have to be in love to love to eat good food and sweets!

Happy Valentine’s feasting to all my fellow foodies! 

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

1. Agua

Chef Jordi has created a passionate, mouth-watering 4-course Spanish meal for two for RMB 488 per person.

RSVP: 5208-6188

2. Black Sesame Kitchen

For Valentine’s Day, Black Sesame Kitchen is hosting a candle-lit, communal dinner featuring ten aphrodisiac-inspired dishes and free-flow Jeio prosecco along with their standard selection of red and white wine. With only 20 seats available, RSVP with them early! Dinner is RMB 500 per guest.

RSVP: 136-9147-4408 or email blacksesamekitchen@gmail.com

BSK’s Communal V-Day Dinner

Pan Fried Pork and Fennel Dumplings
Fried Shiitake and Coriander Stir-fry
Pine Nut and Beef Stirfry
Yuxiang Eggplant
Garlic Asparagus
Red Braised Pork Belly
Snow Pea and Chinese Bacon
Wok-Fried Bamboo Shoots
Cashew Kungpao Chicken
Candied Bananas and Ice Cream

3. Capital M

“A sensuous, sumptuous Valentine’s dinner, our roaring fireplaces, and a breathtaking view of Beijing ~ all the ingredients to create a perfect Valentine’s evening.”

What is more impressive than Capital M’s romantic ambiance?  The 7-course line-up of treats to spoil love birds who also happen to be foodies! Check out the meal below (wine pairing list to supplement each course) -

Capital M’s ‘Love on the Square’ Valentine’s Dinner

~ From Scandinavia with Love ~

house-cured ‘Gravlax’ with sweet mustard sauce

and M’ ‘s own hot-smoked salmon with sharp horseradish cream

Loire Sauvignon Blanc Henri Bourgeois 2009 Loire Valley

**

~Lovebirds in a rich Consommé with black truffle tortellini~

Rosé Pinot Noir Yering Station 2008 Yarra Valley

**

~Luscious Turbot Fillets~

 sitting on a saffron & champagne sabayon

Bourgogne Chardonnay Vincent Girardin 2009 Burgundy

**

A Seductive Thyme & Lime Sorbet with a dash of Campari

**

~  Sweetheart Beef Wellington ~

Best fillet of beef wrapped in pastry with duxelles and foie gras, served with creamy zucchini gratin, crisp potato galette and confit’d vine tomatoes

Shiraz Leeuwin Estate ‘Siblings’ 2008 Margaret River

**

~”Folie-a-Deux” ~ Baked Alaska Flambé~

served with a pot of warm red berries

Château La Grave Sainte-Croix du Mont 2005 Bordeaux

**

Petit Fours ~ Sweet Treats for my Valentine

RMB 688 per person (With wine pairing add RMB 388 per person)

RSVP:  6702-2727, reservations@capital-m-beijing.com

4. Gung Ho!’s Heart Pizza

To celebrate this most romantic of holidays, Pizza Genius John O is literally giving you his heart (-shaped pizza combo) for RMB 198. Available from February 6th to the 19th and now you can order online!  They are also entering everyone who grabs a combo into their special Valentines draw for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP: • Lido GHP HQ: 5135 8557 /Sanlitun Branch: 8587 1404 / 8587 1370  or email: johnandjade@gunghopizza.com

GHP’s Heart Shaped Combo 198rmb:

One Large Heart Shaped Pizza (any kind)

One medium “Our Fave” salad

Cheese balls

Four Egg Tarts

Two “Cool Drinks”

5. Lollipop Bakery

Is it possible to love someone more than cupcakes?  I should hope so!  Show your Valentine how much you care with these cupcakes by Lollipop Bakery.  RMB 340 per dozen.

To Order: Call 13552772683 or email Cupcakes@LollipopBakery.cn 

6. Migas

“Chef Aitor Olabegoya has prepared an 8-course menu that is sure to sweep you both of you of your feet.”

Migas’ 8-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu for two is set at RMB 700, which includes two glasses of Mumm Champagne. Migas will also be offering discounts on bottles of Arzuaga wines.

RSVP: 5208 6061

7. Modo

“Share the love” over Chef Daniel’s 4-course Valentine’s Day dinner. RMB 380 per person.

RSVP: 6415-7207

8. Mosto 

Chef Daniel at Mosto has designed a very special “Be My Valentine” dinner at RMB 420 per person.

RSVP: 5208-6030

9. Obentos

If you’re having a V-Day dinner in, Obentos will also be a great option with a discount on bento boxes ordered after 6PM and two free desserts included! Try their chocolate tofu, it’s my favorite.

To Order: Call 6597 0085 / 6597 0223, www.obentos.com

 10. Pie House

Just looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with some seriously delicious desserts? These cakes looks phenomenal.

I’m seriously tempted to order their Strawberry Cheese Mousse Cake and eat it myself. This cake is RMB 169 for 6 inch cake. Or you can also order their “Berry Romantic Gift Box” for RMB 189 (includes both strawberry and raspberry mousses in heart-shaped cakes). Available from Feb. 12-15.

To Order: www.piehouse.com.cn  or call 010-51664464 (free delivery within 5th Ring Road)

11. SALT

SALT has designed a romantic 4-course Valentine’s Day Dinner for RMB 428 which includes a Rossini Cocktail made with pureed strawberries or glass of bubbly.

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

 Tuesday February 14, 2012, 6-10.30pm

4 Courses + Rossini Cocktail or Glass of Bubbly 428 rmb

Duval Leroy Champagne 588 rmb

I

Poached Prawn Bisque, Fennel, Orange, Basil, 

Semi-Dried Tomato Open Lasagna

II

Veal-Foie GrasTortellini, Crumbled Aged Pecorino, Truffled Veal Consommé

or

Smoked Cheese-Grated Spinach-Ricotta Tortellini, Pesto,

Seasonal Mushrooms, Parmesan (v)

III

Beef Tenderloin, Smoked Aubergine Puree, Portobello Mushrooms, Grilled Garlic Shoots, Madeira-Truffle Sauce

or

Cider Braised Cod, Truffled Cod Brandade, Cauliflower Emulsion, Black Olive Bread, Green Apple, Mediterranean Vinaigrette

or

Parmesan-Wild Mushroom Risotto, Cep-Truffle Cappuccino, Parsley Oil, Ruccula, Balsamic Reduction (v)

IV

Passionfruit Panna Cotta, Red Fruits, Strawberry-Champagne Infusion

or

Seasonal Fruits, Orange Tulip, Warm Swiss Chocolate Fondue

or

Reversed Apple Tart Tatin, Cinnamon Caramel Mou, Walnuts, Vanilla  

13. Sureno

Sureno’s V-day dinner is split into two “Valentina” and “Valentino” set dinners – she is treated to seabass, crab bisque, lobster and a white chocolate dome with raspberry while his menu features foie gras and Wagyu beef. Is it wrong if I prefer the “Valentino” option? RMB 628 for each of the 4-course menus and a glass of champagne.

RSVP: 6410-5240

14.Temple Restaurant Beijing(TRB)

As expected, Temple is going all out for couples with a 6-course dinner menu inclusive of poached lobster, Wagyu beef and passion fruit parfait for dessert. Price per couple is RMB 1,288 plus surcharge.

RSVP: 8400 2232

 

15. Terra

Terra’s 3-course Valentine’s Day dinner is also is packed with options per each course and a full of fresh seafood and roast options.

RSVP: 6591 9148

Terra’s 3-course Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu

I

Clementine Salad, Ruccula, Figs, Ricotta, Pistachios, Beetroot, 

Champagne Vinaigrette (v)

or

Hot Prawn Ceviche, Citrus Crustacean Broth Poached Prawns, Baby Carrots, Asparagus, Fava Beans, Glazed Sweet Potato      

or

“Chupe” South American Seafood Soup,Rice, Corn, Quail Egg, 

Fresh Cheese

or

Wild Salmon Anticucho, Garlic-Parsley Baby Potatoes,

Argentinean Chimichurri 

II

South American Style Roast Suckling Pig, Spiced Apples, Char-Grilled Vegetable Salad, Polenta, Cider-Pork Reduction

or

Duo of Duck: Duck Leg Confit, Smoked Duck Breast, Foie Gras, 

Corn Soufflé, Figs, Mini Vegetables, Roast Duck Jus

or

Braised Cod, Potato-Cherry Tomato Tatin, Saffron Scent,

New Zealand Mussel-Manila Clam Hearty Broth

or

Wild Mushroom Risotto, Mascarpone, Ruccula, Parmesan (v)

Optional: Scallops and Prosciutto

III

Passionfruit Tres Leches, Strawberry Foam, Vanilla

or

     Yoghurt Panna Cotta, Truffle-Lavender Honey, Red Fruits, 

Raspberry Foam

or

Chocolate Soufflé Cake, White Chocolate Centre, Passionfruit, Vanilla

or

Indulge in Hummingbird’s Spa Treatments

Whether you’re single or not, who doesn’t love some extra “me” time? Hummingbird is treating you to an extra foot massage with each facial booked or a free head & shoulder massage with every 90 minute massage.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Tasty Tavola: Authentic Neapolitain, Italian Restaurant

Posted: February 7th, 2012 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Alberto Alboreggia, Alla Osteria, Assaggi, Fat Burger, Italian food, La Pizza, Neapolitain, Starbucks, Sureno, Tavola, The Grand Summit, US Embassy | No Comments »

Situated on the second floor of The Grand Summit above Fat Burger and Starbucks, close to the US Embassy and Diplomatic compounds lies yet another high-end Italian restaurant named Tavola.

With a branch in Beijing and one in Shanghai, Tavola sells itself as “an exclusive Italian restaurant offering authentic and modern Italian cooking” set in a premium location with private VIP rooms, an open kitchen, and a central showcase dining table to emphasize their dining concept of Tavola, which means “table” in Italian.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Tavola Italian Restaurant:

They have an Italian chef named Alberto Alboreggia and their style of cooking is “authentic Neapolitain dishes using specially selected cuts of meat, seasonal fresh vegetables and herbs… Only authentic Buffalo cheese, imported from Italy is used in our Pizza dishes”.

We came for lunch during the Chinese New Year holiday and despite the rest of Beijing looking pretty desolate, Tavola restaurant was surprisingly busy. One of my favorite thing about Tavola is their complimentary bread.  It’s the same dough they use on their pizza and it’s just so tasty and served warm, fresh out of the oven. They have a nice wine selection and their service is solid. Our server was Filipino, so it was nice to have a fluent English speaker for a change, ready and willing to recommend dishes and understand our requests perfectly.

Between three of us, we ordered three pasta dishes and one pizza to share and it was perfect. I ordered the Spaghetti tossed with Clams, Crab Meat and Red Mullet Eggs Roe (RMB 108), which was light, yet flavorful and the spaghetti was cooked perfectly.  We ordered the Boscaiola Pizza (RMB 128) topped with mushrooms, cooked ham, Pancetta Ham and imported Buffalo Mozzarella cheese from Italy. It was big and with imported Buffalo Mozzarella cheese, you can definitely tell a difference between this high-quality, authentic Italian pizza and most of the other, cheaper pizza chains in Beijing, but the middle was soggy and I would still say the best authentic Italian pizza in Beijing is found at either Sadler or Sureno.  Being a pasta girl myself, I also managed to steal a bite of the Spaghetti with Lobster and Cherry Tomatoes (RMB 198) which was pricey, but also excellent and soaked with plenty of lobster juices and flavor.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Tavola’s Italian Dishes:

Spaghetti tossed with clams, crab meat and Red Mullet Eggs Roe (RMB 108)

Boscaiola Pizza (RMB 128)- Mushrooms, cooked ham, Pancetta Ham and Imported Buffalo Mozzarella cheese from Italy

Linguine with Lobster and Cherry Tomatoes (RMB 198)

Review of Tavola Italian Restaurant: 2nd Floor, The Grand Summit, Section B, Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Mansion. No. 19, Dongfang East Road, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区东方东路19号亮马桥外交公寓会所2层; Tel: 85325068

Best Part:

• Probably the restaurant that serves the best complimentary bread in Beijing  - soft, doughy pizza bread warm out of the oven is such a simple treat, and yet done so well. 
• With a head Italian chef, they boast authentic Neapolitain dishes.
• I recommend their pasta dishes.  Spaghetti was cooked perfectly and we all know timing is everything when it comes to getting pasta right. 
• Our waiter was Filipino so his English was perfect and he was very personable and professional.  Definitely higher than the average standard of service you find in Beijing restaurants. 
• They offer an extensive wine list with excellent, knowledgeable sommeliers. 
• Very stylish, elegant design. Tall windows on both sides of the cylinder shaped restaurant allows plenty of natural sunlight for lunch guests and they also showcase a very intimate dinner atmosphere with nice lighting and ambiance.

Comments:

• It is a bit pricey, but we all know that imported ingredients cost an arm and a leg so I suspect Tavola is importing a lot of the ingredients they use.  Generally, I would say it is authentic Italian and for those who love Italian, Tavola is a great find. 
• They offer set lunches from RMB 108-138 and set dinner menus from RMB 480-758. 
• We didn’t get to order any dessert, but I hear their assorted dessert platter is incredible.  Definitely a reason to go back!
• Tavola is a great option for a nice Italian dinner, but with so many Italian restaurants in Beijing, I think it’s tough for Tavola to stay afloat.  When I went for lunch, it was pretty busy, but I’ve also been to Tavola on nights where our table is one of the few in the entire restaurant. I suspect Sureno in The Opposite House gives Tavola great competition and one must also take into consideration the many cheaper Italian options in town that serve pretty authentic and affordable Italian cuisine including Alla Osteria in World City, Assaggi in North Sanlitun area and even the many La Pizza chains all over town. 

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

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

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

Posted: October 18th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Bars & Nightlife, Charity, Foodies & Dining Scene, Special Events, Upcoming Events | Tags: Agua, Austen Morris, Barolo, Bei, Bethel Foundation, Capital M, Chi Fan for Charity, Courtyard, DJ Patrick Yu, El Charro Tequila, Hatsune, Hatsune Sanlitun, Ignace Lecleir, Karaiya Spice House, Kis Natural Vodka, Made in China, Maison Boulud, Modo, Mosto, New Hope Foundation, Nobu Beijing, Punjabi, ROOMbeijing, Shanghai, Sureno, SuSu, Temple Restaurant Beijing, The Orchid, The Wine Republic, Tiger Beer | No Comments »

“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!

Many of the restaurants are already sold out (Agua, Bei, Barolo, Hatsune, Made in China, Mosto, Nobu, Orchid, Maison Boulud), but there are still 24 restaurants to choose from including Capital M, Susu, Sureno, ROOMbeijing, Modo, Karaiya Spice House, Punjabi, The Courtyard and the highly anticipated Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) by Maison Boulud’s ex-GM Ignace Lecleir.

“CFFC is happy to report that some of the Capital’s most interesting and influential people will once again host our tables. The evening will be filled with opportunities;talk economics with Forbes’ Gady Epstein, debate which restaurant has the best Kao Ya with restaurateur Alan Wong, gossip about philanthropy with Red Cross’ Ramsey Rayyis or discuss this season’s best reads with Penguin’s Managing director Jo Lusby. 2011′s table hosts are shaping up to be even more intriguing than last year’s stellar group.” – CFFC Newsletter

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year (with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris) and has set an ambitious goal to raise RMB 300,000 in this one night to be donated entirely to both the Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation and is now bringing its theme to Shanghai.

Visit http://www.chifanforcharity.org/bookings/restaurants/category/beijing-restaurants/ to book your spot at one of Beijing’s top 39 restaurants on November 5 at 7:30 pm.  Just select the restaurant of your choice and then follow instructions to purchase your tickets.  Remember: 100% of proceeds will go to Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the legendary after-party at Hatsune Sanlitun Branch will be where all diners unite together for boozin and schmoozin with old skool dance tracks by DJ Patrick Yu and drinks will be flowing courtesy of The Wine Republic, Kis Natural Vodka, El Charro Tequila, Tiger Beer and Hatsune.

In addition to great drinks and company, CFFC will feature some amazing silent auction packages. Although we can’t divulge what we have secured, we can guarantee that one lucky donor will be taken away on a once in a lifetime vacation.

Pictures from Chi Fan for Charity 2010:

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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 »

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.

Maison Boulud & Da Dong Collect “Restaurant of the Year”

Dali Courtyard / Capital M

Modo / Agua / Biteapitta

SALT / Gung Ho! Pizza

Michael & 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

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Chi Fan for Charity Launch Party

Posted: October 26th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Charity, Foodies & Dining Scene, Upcoming Events | Tags: Bei, Capital M, Charity, Chi Fan for Charity, DJ Patrick Yu, Hatsune, Maison Boulud, Modo, Prevention Through Education (PTE China), Red Capital Club, Rural Women's Charity, Sureno, The Dandelion School, Touch, Westin Chaoyang | No Comments »

With a little more than one week before the big date, Chi Fan for Charity is hosting a Media Launch Party at Touch Bar (Westin Chaoyang) this coming Thursday, October 28.

Come enjoy drinks (courtesy of the Westin) and meet the restaurateurs and celebrity hosts making it happen.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 28
• Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM
• Location: Touch Bar, Westin Chaoyang
• Address:  The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, 7 North Dongsanhuan Road, 金茂北京威斯汀大饭店, 东三环北路7号
• RSVP: tom@bespoke-beijing.com

Background on Chi Fan for Charity:

One of the strongest charity events of the year, Chi Fan for Charity has gathered 33 of the city’s top restaurants to simultaneously host a table of ten people for a minimum three course meal and wine. The restaurants are donating the food and drink for free, so your payment for the meal goes direct to three, genuinely great local charities (Prevention Through Education (HIV/AIDS Awareness), Dandelion School and Rural Women’s Charity, a practical skills training School for Migrant Women). This event is perfect for people who want to enjoy an exceptional meal while contributing to worthwhile causes by “eating for charity”.
Participating restaurants include everyone from Maison Boulud, Capital M, the entire Hatsune Restaurant Group (Hatsune, Kagen, Kagen Teppanyaki and Karaiya Spice House), Bei & Sureno in the Opposite House, Modo, Red Capital Club, The Courtyard, and many many more.  Tickets are available from the website but better hurry as many tables are already sold out and the rest are selling out fast.

Similar to the Hatsune 9 year party, there will be a Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village with free flow drinks from 10PM-1AM, DJ Patrick Yu will be spinning tunes and everyone from the various restaurants all coming together!  For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to these worthwhile causes and show your support.  Tickets are RMB 150 in advance (pay here: www.chifanforcharity.org)  or RMB 200 at the door. However, guests who buy a ticket to a table will gain free entry to the afterparty at Hatsune.   And yes, there will be sumo suits.  :)

Book your seat at a table here: www.chifanforcharity.org.

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Sundays at Sureño

Posted: March 28th, 2010 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Chef Too, Mediterranean Cuisine, SALT, Sureno, The Opposite House, The Orchard, Vineyard Cafe | 7 Comments »

If I’m not recovering from a rough weekend in bed, chances are you’ll find me at Vineyard Cafe, The Orchard, Chef Too or SALT.

For the first time this past weekend, we switched it up for Sunday brunch at Sureño (The Opposite House).

On Sundays, Sureño offers a Mediterranean 4-course set menu (RMB 188 or RMB 298 with free flow bubbly):

1. Antipasti Selection (fried mussels, swordfish sashimi, egg omelet, fried rice ball, diced oxtail and white beans) – 1 of each appetizer per person, and still quite filling. While the mussels were dry, the swordfish sashimi was the highlight
2. Minestrone Soup – standard minestrone soup
3. Choice of 6 different main entrees (seabass, risotto, veal tenderloin, cheese & spinach capelle, suckling pig, etc.) – Veal Tenderloin was served with cheese sandwiched in between two slabs of meat with mashed potatoes and veggies beneath.
4. Choice of Cheese Selection or Dessert Selection (Apple tart, lemon tart & tiramisu) – I recommend cheese selection over desserts (soft brie and blue cheese were delicious)

Review of Sunday Brunch at Sureño: Located next to Punk & Bei, B1 floor of The Opposite House, Sanlitun. 三里屯路11号三里屯Village1号楼; Tel: 6410-5240

Best Part:

Risotto

• Venue design – Sureño is stunning with its wood-fired oven and open kitchen.  The space is absolutely beautiful.
• Veal Tenderloin was excellent – well-cooked, nice presentation, and great quality & taste
• Cheese platter was a nice ending to the 4 course meal
• A great brunch for those who want to escape a big hotel all-you-can-eat brunch

Comments:

• Sureño is always full, if not packed.  But this Sunday was relatively quiet, which was a bit unexpected and the empty atmosphere took a bit away from the experience that I know Sureño normally has to offer.
• Cheese portions were a bit skimpy and call me crazy, but I do not like Sureño’s desserts (in my defense, I just don’t like tiramisu dessert, but people do rave that Sureño’s is the best in town).
• Quality and quantity of the Sureño Sunday brunch menu was satisfactory, and I love the restaurant (pizza is great), but Sureño will remain at the bottom of my list of Sunday brunch destinations because there was nothing in particular about this Sunday brunch experience that was worth returning for in comparison to other Sunday brunch venues around town.

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

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

Cheese Platter

Dessert Platter

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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!!

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.

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

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