Sneak Peak of Spice Factory & Tatami by d.concepts

Posted: August 17th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: A Day In My Life, Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: d lounge, d.concepts, Spice Factory Thai Restaurant, Tatami Japanese Restaurant, Thai food, Warren Pang | No Comments »

Let me begin this post by saying this is not, and I repeat – NOT! ‘an official LDS review’ for two reasons: 1. The restaurant is still in its beginning soft-opening stages and 2. I promised Warren I wouldn’t.  Instead, this post is just a chance for me to show off just how friggin’ gorgeous this space is (see photos posted below).

Spice Factory is one of two new restaurant venues recently opened by d. concepts, the same team behind d.lounge with the one and only F&B wizard, Warren Pang, working his magic once again. Yum is located on the second floor just left of d.lounge and the other new restaurant concept Tatami, a Japanese fusion restaurant, is located below Spice Factory.

Presenting a modern take on Thai cuisine, Spice Factory restaurant looks nothing like other Thai restaurants in this city with no hint of Thai culture or flavor other than in its food and drinks. Although the decor of the space doesn’t appear to have much correlation to Thailand, the food is kicking with flaming hot Thai spice and flavors.

And naturally, with the same management as d. lounge, Spice Factory boasts a massive bar with a wide range of Thai-inspired cocktails that are especially delish.  I tried both their Gin Gin cocktail (RMB 70) – a gin martini with ginger, apple, etc. and Phuket Mojito (RMB 60) – with chili, lime, mint, etc. which were both hands-down some of the best tasting cocktails I’ve had in Beijing.

The restaurant design eerily resembles d lounge but with dining tables instead of sofa couches. Like it’s older brother d., Spice Factory carries on the same brick/industrial style with high ceilings and the same warm, trendy ambiance that d lounge is notorious for.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Spice Factory Thai Restaurant:

Invited for a massive birthday celebration for the very lovely Mei Ping Doery, I dined with a group of over 30 and we were served a set menu for dinner at Spice Factory.

*Just to emphasize to my readers, Warren has stressed that Spice Factory is currently in its very pre-opening stages and they are very much still tweaking and adjusting food, concept, etc. to make the experience more Thai-fusion rather than serving very traditional Thai cuisine.  Regardless, the food was delish (and VERY spicy) so they’re off to a great start…!

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Spicy Thai Dishes by Spice Factory:

Happy Birthday Beautiful Mei!

After-Dinner Drinks at Spice Factory:

Birthday Shots!

Master Drink Mixer, Warren Pang workin his Magic…in what appears to be a zen-like state  haha

Located just below Yum, Tatami is the other new restaurant by d.concepts.

Serving fusion Japanese cuisine, the presentation of each dish was beautifully done and absolutely captivating.  Portions were a little small for my big appetite, but the flavors and taste of each dish was spot on. I was a huge fan of the seafood ceviche and seared steak with coffee salt.

Unfortunately, I don’t have my own LumDimSum snapshots since Warren forbid me to take any photos for fear of a pre-mature LDS review, but lucky for me, other diners that night were sneakier!

Here’s a teaser of what’s to come at TATAMI soon (snapshots I’ve taken off Warren’s weibo):

**Stay posted on LumDimSum for more details to come on launch opening dates for both Spice Factory and TATAMI restaurants by d.concepts.

In the meantime, I recommend that all you foodies and lushes to pop on over for a try at Spice Factory’s delicious Thai cocktails and flaming hot Thai dishes.

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The New Kid on the Block: d. lounge.gallery.food

Posted: September 8th, 2009 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: A Day In My Life, Bars & Nightlife, Foodies & Dining Scene, Hot Tips | Tags: Candice Lee, d lounge, D-Bar, Izaka-ya, Japanese food, Jazz-Ya, Kagen Teppanyaki, New Bar, Punk, Renaissance Hotel, The Opposite House, Warren Pang | 3 Comments »

For over a month now, I’d been hearing about the new kid in town – d. lounge (not to be confused with D-Bar in the Renaissance Hotel). After celebrating my birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant Kagen Teppanyaki, I was eager to check out the space and pay a visit to my dear friend Warren Pang (former manager of Punk in the Opposite House), especially after hearing so much about this new bar and considering Tuesday nights are not exactly the most bumping night of the week.

Unsure if it would even be open on a regular Tuesday evening around 11pm, C-dice & I poke our heads inside and walk down a long corridor to find an intimate, high-ceilinged space covered in red brick with a tall, elegant bar against the back wall and funky leather croc sofas and modern furniture throughout.

After speaking to Warren and seeing their drink menu, I was quite surprised to discover that d. lounge has not even officially opened yet!  According to Warren, for the past month, d. lounge is still in its soft-opening stage, offering private gatherings and inviting limited guests while they are still working out some pre-opening kinks and are in the process of finalizing two other sections that have yet to be open to the public.  Warren may call this an “extended soft-opening period,” I call it a brilliant marketing strategy.

In the meantime, d. lounge is now open daily featuring various artwork on its high brick walls that will be changed on a regular basis and a basic drink list with 9 cocktails and 4 regular well drinks priced RMB 50-60.  In the future, the space will serve a bistro-style menu with mini burgers and tapas and the space will also be a hub to feature designer clothing/street wear.

By the same owners as Jazz-Ya and Izaka-ya, d. lounge is located just behind Nanjie on Sanlitun Nanjie and is set to officially open Mid-October 2009.

Best Part:

• The Bar – its design is original, classy and its very impressive without being imposing
• Their Kiwi & Strawberry Caipiroska is my new favorite drink
• The design of the venue is modern, fashionable, and very New York without being pretentious
• A small space with super high ceilings makes it easy to fill with a cozy, intimate vibe without feeling claustrophobic (I love red brick walls)
• Warren is a fantastic host & bar manager, it’s no surprise he’s got such a loyal following from Punk – he’s personable, welcoming, and his concept of keeping d. lounge in this “pre-opening stage” while being open to public is ingenious PR. Well-done mate!

Comments:

• In my 2 hours stay, my legs were eaten alive by mosquitos
• I am eager to see d.lounge officially open – to see the rest of the unopened space, to taste their bistro menu, see what type of designer clothing they choose to feature, and above all, the type of music they will play (As much as I like the crowd and design at Punk, I never cared for the music).

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