Stay a little while at S.T.A.Y: Wicked Sunday Brunch

S.T.A.Y. is a point of destination. The acronym actually stands for Simple Table Alléno Yannick, but take away the acronym and they should really just leave it as one word: STAY, in all caps.

Because of its location and price point, this is not a place you stumble upon, but something you prepare yourself for.  When you dine at STAY, you should prepare to sit back, relax and indulge in all food-related guilty-pleasures that exist…cause you won’t be leaving any time soon.

Proof in point, on my first visit to STAY for their Sunday brunch (only Sundays from 11AM-4PM), I basically spent my entire Sunday at STAY with a group of us there for at least 5 hours (we hung around awhile after brunch was over because we couldn’t move). Part of the reason was because we wanted to make the most of the journey there, but mostly because we wanted to take advantage of the free-flow champagne and their magnificent dessert buffet called their “Pastry Library” for as long as possible.

To give you a bit of background, this is the new chef and concept that took over Brian McKenna’s legendary Blu Lobster restaurant. Knowing the creative capabilities of Brian McKenna, I know in its heyday, Blu Lobster was famed and relished for its exuberant molecular gastronomy cuisine.  But alas, Brian is long gone from this space, having first opened ROOMbeijing in the Park Hyatt followed by his newest projects like INO, his 16-seater private dining concept serving 30 dishes per person at a price point of about RMB 1,500 per person (more info coming soon).

While Brian’s style of cooking can be labeled as fantastical with so many unique dish creations, Chef Yannick Alléno has taken a different approach to fine dining. Also titled a “Michelin Star Chef”, he was the chef for Paris’ 3-Michelin Star restaurant Le Meurice and 1947 Restaurant at Cheval Blanc. Rather than serve fancy food, Chef Yannick is all about French basics with signature dishes like the quail egg with coral sea urchin and lobster tart (which is still pretty fancy to me).

Massive Mural of the Restaurant’s Hero: Chef Yannick Alleno

Regardless of how “basic” they claim their food to be, we’re still talking very high-end French cuisine in a Shangri-la hotel with a ceiling full of chandeliers so you can still expect to be impressed.

This quality of dining is created for those with an appreciative palette.  

Granted, this is probably the most expensive brunch in town and it’s a trek to get to (this Shangri-la is in the west side of Beijing close to the Beijing Zoo), but it was a brunch I won’t forget about for a very long time. It’s almost been a week since my visit and I can almost remind myself of the rich flavors that linger just that much longer.

LumDimSum Snapshots Stepping into STAY:

Feels more and more like Spring

A ceiling full of chandeliers

The Communal Table is a highlight in STAY

Enough about the chef, the restaurant decor and it’s concept, let’s get down to business and talk food.

Photos speak for themselves so feast your eyes on the LumDimSum Photo Gallery of my brunch at STAY.

LumDimSum Snapshots of STAY’s Weekend Brunch:

STAY’s Freshly Baked Croissant Basket

Complimentary Bread Basket

Happy Start to Our Brunch

With a few of us not going for the free-flow champagne option, I thought it was lovely when the staff came around with a trolly full of fresh juices – carafes fulls of fresh kiwi, watermelon, orange, honey melon and grapefruit juice.  Almost everyone got one and we were happy until the bill came in the end and we realized that they failed to mention that each glass of juice was RMB 70 aka, the most expensive juice EVER!  This was poor form on STAY’s part. They really should have said up-front that the fresh fruit juice was not complimentary and that it came with a hefty price tag.

BEWARE: Most expensive fresh fruit juice EVER (RMB 70 per glass)

With expensive juice and champagne in hand and some freshly baked bread baskets to nibble on, we were ready to begin our brunch feast. Each of us chose from one of three appetizers (pasture, sea or healthy) followed by one of three main course options (meat, fish or pasta of the day).

STAY’s Weekend Brunch Menu

Designed for carnivores, this set is sure to satisfy your meat cravings.  If anything, after finishing off this set, you might want to go for anything other than meat. In my opinion, it’s a meat overkill.  Good thing we ordered a variety of sets so we could all pick at each other’s dishes.

The highlight of this set was by far the Foie Gras (served in selection of charcuterie) and the Wild Mushroom & Pancetta Egg Cocotte.

STAY’s ‘Pasture’ Appetizer Set:

STAY’s Pasture Appetizer Set: Angus Beef Tartar

STAY’s Pasture Appetizer Set: Selection of Charcuterie

STAY’s Pasture Appetizer Set: Wild Mushroom & Pancetta Egg Cocotte

STAY’s Pasture Appetizer Set: Green Lentil Salad & Homemade Black Truffle Sausage

As you might have guessed, I went for the ‘Sea’ appetizer set.  There was no way I could turn down Fresh Oysters, Lobster Carpaccio and Sea Urchin Scrambled Eggs.  The presentation was stunning  (scrambed eggs served in sea urchin shell) and uniquely creative ( smoked salmon sliced to look like salmon sashimi).

If anything, this set was filling as a meal in itself!  It was so good, I finished every last bite with barely any stomach space left over for the main course…and pastry library!

STAY’s ‘Sea’ Appetizer Set:

STAY’s Sea Appetizer Set: Sea Urchin Scrambled Eggs

STAY’s Sea Appetizer Set: Lobster Carpaccio

STAY’s Sea Appetizer Set: Homemade Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Salad

STAY’s Sea Appetizer Set: Oyster, Red Wine Shallot Vinaigrette

See STAY’s ‘Sea’ Appetizer Set Together:

The “Healthy” appetizer set was much more boring by comparison to the first two appetizer sets. Healthy food can be just as delicious as rich, fatty, indulgent foods, but maybe the French have yet to master this.  Everything was quite bland and really nothing impressive.

STAY’s ‘Healthy’ Appetizer Set:

STAY’s ‘Healthy’ Appetizer Set: Grilled Vegetable Barigoules

STAY’s ‘Healthy’ Appetizer Set: Italian Burrata and Tomato Basilica Sauce

STAY’s ‘Healthy’ Appetizer Set: Egg White & Black Truffle Omelet

STAY’s ‘Healthy’ Appetizer Set: Vegetable Soup & Tofu

STAY was family friendly, bringing out a plate of baby sliders for our little 2 year old.

Little Sliders for Little Ones

Main Courses:

Fish of the Day:

STAY’s Fish of the Day Served Tableside in Pan

Final Presentation of “Fish of the Day”

Roasted Meat of the Day – Roast Chicken Main:

Creamy Mashed Potato

As much as I appreciated and enjoyed the brunch menu, everything I had consumed was completely overshadowed by the ‘Pastry Library’ by the very young and talented Pastry Chef Florian Couteau.  This guy’s only 24 years old and has been a professional pastry chef from the age of 12!  This is the most spectacular display of desserts and I couldn’t get enough.  For someone with a serious sweet tooth, I was like a kid in a candy shop.  Everything was like a taste of heaven.

The ‘Pastry Library’ highlights were the fresh fruit mix (mangos, pineapples, strawberries and blueberries in a mint syrup), their almond cheesecake balls, their cream puffs and strawberry tart.

The mini chocolate fondants probably would have tasted better hot out of the oven and the Creme Brulee was still undercooked (too liquid-y) even after being torched.

Now feast your eyes on these magnificent desserts!

LumDimSum Snapshots of STAY’s ‘Pastry Library’:

Review of S.T.A.Y’s Sunday Brunch: 1st floor of the Shangri-la Hotel, Beijing,29 Zizhuyuan Road, Beijing,, Tel: 6841 2211 ext 6727. Sundays Only: 11AM-4PM

Best Part:

• Pastry Chef Florian Couteau’s ‘Pastry Library’ – the most magnificent, impressive spread of desserts.  Best dessert buffet in Beijing, hands down!
• It was so good, I would really make the trip back just for the desserts (I’d probably skip the brunch entirely to make more room for sweets).
• Must try desserts: cream puff, almond cheesecake ball, mixed fruit jar, triple layer chocolate bar, strawberry cups.
• Of the three appetizer sets, I was most impressed by the “Sea” set. Lobster Carpaccio, fresh oysters and sea urchin scrambled eggs was impressive. 
• Simple, roasted chicken was also very well-done.  A great testament to basic French food. 

Comments:

• Head Chef Yannick Alleno may come from a 3-Michelin star restaurant background, but I was honestly more impressed with the dessert buffet than I was with the main Sunday brunch.
• Really poor form that the staff failed to mention that the fresh fruit juice trolly that came around at the begin was 1. not complimentary and 2. that each glass was RMB 70!  
• The Sunday brunch was bare. We were a table of 10, but aside from us, there were only another 10 guests max.  It pains me to think of the magnificent dessert buffet that must have gone into the bin! 
• Very pricey brunch, if not the most expensive in town.  We were all fooled by the expensive fruit juice so that didn’t help the high prices of the final bill.  My total bill was RMB 620 for the brunch (RMB 468 + 15% service charge) + one fruit juice (RMB 70 + 15% service charge). 
• It’s really a shame this venue is so far west and also that it’s imprisoned in a boring hotel design.  It would really do so much better in a unique, stand-alone space like Capital M, Maison Boulud or Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB). If STAY was housed in a 600-year-old temple, that would be something special. Right now, it’s impressive, but just that much more out-of-reach and stuck to a confines of a corporate hotel chain. 

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

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

Stay a little while at STAY

Back for Comfort: Chef Too’s Weekend Brunch

Last year, there was a point I when my friends and I were going to Chef Too for brunch every Sunday for months.  Chef Too was our Sunday tradition.  I’m not sure what changed, but after a few months in a row (of literally going every Sunday), we just stopped going back.  Probably because some of our gang went on holiday or maybe I’m also partly to blame because I wanted to start going to more of a variety of restaurants, I saw an opportunity to gain LDS material (I know, so selfish!).

So when I went back to Chef Too last weekend (after almost a year break), it was such a comforting experience. They had updated their menu slightly, added a few new dishes, removed a few older ones, but generally it was just as I remember it.  Always pretty busy on weekends, we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, but it was worth the wait.

There is nothing particularly exciting about Chef Too, but it’s just consistently good, hearty American food and great service.  A bonus is that most all of their staff speak English and some are Filipino, so they speak practically perfect English.

And whether you see this as a positive or negative thing, you definitely feel like you’re walking into your grandmother’s house when you eat at Chef Too.  It feels very much like a home more than a restaurant or diner.

When I used to come more regularly last year, I used to always order their ginormous Cobb Salad, California Omelette or Eggs Sardou with creamed spinach and an artichoke bottom. Click here for my previous LDS Review of Chef Too.  But this time around, I wanted to try one of their new dishes so I went for one of the most expensive items on their menu – Chef Too’s “Eggs Gin Lane” (RMB 148) – Eggs Benedict with imported crab salad and a side of creamed spinach and buttered vegetables.  While the eggs benedict was amazing with the crab, I was disappointed with the mini portion of buttered vegetables – I literally got two pieces of carrot and two pieces of broccoli.  RMB 148 is a little pricey, but it was super tasty and I’d probably order it again.

Chef Too’s “Eggs Gin Lane” (RMB 148)

My brunch buddy was ravenous by the time we sat down to eat so he went for the “Steak and Eggs” combo (RMB 138).  Two eggs any style you like – we agreed on poached eggs, a slab of steak and for sides – hashbrowns and buttered vegetables.  Unfortunately, the steak was a bit smaller than expected and it seemed the portion was not as big as he had hoped. Same story with the vegetables- two small pieces of carrots and broccoli and hashbrowns were more like potato chunks.

Chef Too’s Steak & Eggs (RMB 138)

There’s always room for dessert, so we each picked one – NYC Cheesecake with blueberries and their Apple Pie a la mode with homemade vanilla ice cream. All the desserts on their menu was RMB 38, with the exception of their Waffle platter, which I am dying to order one day.  The apple pie was the highlight of our meal – it was perfect. Served hot, the crust was crispy and the warm apple inside was tasty and gooey. But after a bite of the apple pie, we went in for a bite of the NYC Cheesecake.  While it looks creamy and perfect, it actually tasted like nothing.  We kept taking bites because we weren’t getting any flavor. And it was not creamy, but the consistency was more fluffy and more similar to cake than cheesecake.  I probably wouldn’t order the cheesecake again, but the apple pie was a delight.

 Chef Too’s NYC Cheesecake (RMB 38)

Chef Too’s Apple Pie a la Mode

Check out:

LumDimSum’s Weekend Brunch at Chef Too

Chef Too’s Contact Details:

• Address: Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, 朝阳公园西路枣营南里小区东门南 

• Tel: 6591-8676

The Vineyard’s Weekend Lunch Deal & The Vine Leaf

Vineyard’s Roasted Peppers and Hummus with Side Salad & Drink (RMB 55)

The Vineyard is famous for their great value weekend brunches (Try their “Full English Breakfast”), but they also serve up a great weekday lunch deal. For prices ranging from RMB 45-65, you can enjoy some great mains + side salad or side of fries + drink. Highlights include giant pizzas deals (RMB 60-65), sandwich combos (RMB 55), and even Baked Potato (RMB 65), Quiche Lorraine (RMB 58), Omelette (RMB 55) and Muesli (RMB 45).

The Vineyard’s Weekday Lunch Deals: 

LumDimSum Snapshots of Vineyard’s Weekday Lunch Deals:

Premium Pizza (Roasted Chicken & Bacon) + Side Salad + Drink = RMB 65

French Ham & Gruyere Sandwich + Side Fries + Drink = RMB 55

Roasted Peppers and Hummus Sandwich + Side Salad + OJ = RMB 55

The Vineyard Cafe Contact Details:

• Address: In the Hutong Street just west of YongheGong temple, 31 Wudaoying Hutong, 五道营胡同31号
• Tel: 6402-7961
• Website: www.vineyardcafe.cn
• *Note: The Vineyard is not open on Mondays! 

…Stay Tuned for The Vine Leaf!

Great news for all Vineyard fans, owner Will Yorke will be opening up his new venture called The Vine Leaf on Jianchang Hutong, just around the corner from The Vineyard Cafe.

Featuring home-brewed beers and British favorites like “steak and ale pie, Cornish pasties, scotch eggs, watercress and stilton soup, fish and chips, a smoked-haddock fish pie and English breakfasts.” I’m not even sure what scotch eggs are and I’ve never had a smoked-haddock fish pie, but I can’t wait to try it. I’m most excited for Will personally cooking a giant leg of lamb for Sunday Roast.  

Click here for more info: theBeijinger’s First Look at The Vine Leaf.

Agua Aperitivo: New Weekend Brunch

Agua’s getting its weekend brunch on with traditional Spanish tapas and all their signature dishes.

Price is set at RMB 248 for all you foodies and for all the lushes who enjoy getting tipsy too, just throw in an additional RMB88 for free flow drinks including juices, cocktails and sparkling wine.

This pretty much speaks for itself (contact details below):

Pop On Over to Beijing’s New Pop-Up Brunch ft. Photo Exhibition by Helen Couchman

If you love food made from scratch, sangria and bright, airy spaces, check out the new POP-UP BRUNCH concept every Sunday at Amilana/ALUSS Art Photography Space.

I brunched with the usual suspects this past Sunday and we were crazy for their homemade baked goods (muffins, bagels and waffles!).

For only RMB 50, you can have your choice of 2 courses from the following:

1st Course:

• Cold, savory gazpacho with almond base
• Homemade blackberry muffin with seasonal garniture
• Seasonal fruit salad with homemade creme fraiche

2nd Course:

• Bacon & leek quiche with fresh salad (vegetarian option available)
• Homemade BAGELS from Hegel’s Bagels with salmon, creme cheese, red onions and capers
• Homemade lemon and cucumber ice cream with fresh waffles

To make the deal even better, just add another RMB 25 for a cup of coffee, tea or glass of sangria!

With each option sounding so delicious, we couldn’t help but try it all!

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Brunch Dishes:

Cold Gazpacho Soup / Homemade Blackberry Muffin

Seasonal Fruit Salad / Bacon & Leek Quiche

Homemade Hegel’s Bagel with Smoked Salmon / Fresh Waffles with Homemade Ice Cream

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Second Edition Pop-Up Brunch:

Event Details:

• Date: Every Sunday until the end of July
• Time: 10:00AM-3:00PM
• Location: AMILANA/Aluss Art and Photography Space
• Address:  Across the street from North gate of Nanluoguxiang: 141 GULOUDONGDAJIE
• RSVP: Text – 13371673102 or 18210138655 or email: popupbrunchbj@gmail.com

On a related note, from now until July 9th, friend and very talented photographer Helen Couchman will be holding a photo exhibition in the same space (a big added bonus to your next pop-up brunch experience!).

“Couchman has headed out into the streets armed with a camera and three mirrors. The mirrors are used to fuse the different elements of the photographed scenes, both material and immaterial.  The result is not the illusion of a cityscape but rather an intimate yet distant exploration of the fabric, and texture of a city whose detail as well as vistas are in flux.”

LumDimSum Snapshots of Helen Couchman’s Exhibition of New Work:

This new photographic series seeks the texture and the vistas of the hutongs that have undergone this process of destruction. As Couchman says, the project aims, “to explore what I can see of the land – literally the earth and fabric of the city. It has a performative angle: process, construction, dirt, proximity and distance are all evident in these images. This is what I am working with.”

Helen Couchman Exhibition Details:

• Dates: From 19th June – 9 July, 2011
• Time: 4pm-late
• Location: Aluss Art Photography Space
• Address: 2nd Floor, 141 Gulou Dongdajie, Beijing
• Tel: 8400-2628
• Website: www.helencouchman.com

The Hunt for Easter Brunch in Beijing

It’s ON – The LumDimSum Easter Hunt…for brunch!

Lucky for you, there’s plenty to choose from in Beijing from family-style brunches to free-flow champagne.

Practically every hotel is hosting their own Easter brunch, but I choose to opt away from hotel-style buffet brunches.  However, if you prefer the hotel setting, I hear the JW Marriott by the Ritz is the choice pick as they are also hosting their own Easter egg hunt.

…and if it’s really the traditional hunt for Easter eggs you’re after, then you can join Comptoirs de France in the biggest family Easter Egg hunt in Beijing.  The hunt begins at East Lake Villas starting 10AM. Prizes include giant Chocolate Eggs, Chocolate Bunnies…and apparently chocolate roosters as well!

Here are some Top-Notch Easter Brunch Deals around Town:

1. Capital M –

More than just a beautiful brunch spread, Capital M is also hosting performances by the Sunshine String Quartet (from the Beijing Sunshine Philharmonic Orchestra) starting just after brunch at about 4PM.

I can’t imagine a better way to digest brunch than listening to a program of Mozart, Handel, Pachelbel Johann and Bach.

For reservations, call: 6702-2727

2. Fennel –

Currently, my favorite brunch in Beijing – Fennel is phenomenal. See previous brunch review for Fennel here.

This Easter brunch, Fennel’s Easter Seafood Brunch (RMB 298 per person) will be adding a carving station with some easter roasts, a big cheese selection and extra desserts.

Don’t go without first making a reservation as they book out fast!  For reservations, call 6436-1818

3. Maison Boulud –

A magnificent choice for a memorable brunch, Maison Boulud is guaranteed to deliver both a quality brunch and 5-star service.

For reservations call 6559 9200

4. Sadler Ristorante –

Every Sunday, Sadler hosts a very sophisticated Italian brunch menu (see previous Sadler brunch post here), but Easter will be bringing on a special deal of just RMB 388 per person.

For reservations, call 6559 – 1399

5. SALT –

“Enjoy a relaxing Easter away from the crowds” on SALT’s open balcony terrace with a choice of 2 to 3-course brunch menu (see menu below).

For reservations, call 6437-8457

6. TERRA -

A champagne Easter brunch offering a 5-course menu, a bottle of champagne to share between two and free flow mojitos and caipirinhas (for RMB 458 each), this is quite an ambitious brunch!  Skip the free flow drinks and just enjoy the 5-course menu for RMB 288.

For reservations, call 6591-9148

Happy Easter Egg Hunting / Brunching!

Yi House: Fennel’s Superb Sunday Brunch

Sunday brunch is something I look forward to every week, especially at the end of a long weekend!  It’s a treasured tradition and one of the few consistencies in my very irregular weekly schedule.

It’s no secret that I’m always on the prowl for new brunch destinations and I was completely blown away by Yi House Art Hotel’s Fennel Brunch.  It was by far one of the best brunches I’ve had in Beijing (if not the very best!).

Fennel has everything that I look for in a Sunday Brunch – a bright space filled with sunlight and happy Sunday brunchers, personable and professional service, an amazing menu selection with high-end delicacies from towering fresh seafood platters with oysters, lobster, crab, etc., steak tartar, seafood carpaccio, baked garlic escargot, fresh salads, soups, eggs benedict, mini burgers, pizzas, an Asian menu and a top-notch dessert menu.  They also offer free-flow prosecco, wine, bellinis and cocktails for an extra RMB 118 or free-flow fresh fruit “cleanser” concoctions for RMB 68 – a perfect hang-over cure!

Fennel’s All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Brunch Menu (RMB 218 per person or RMB 298 for Seafood Upgrade):

It was hard not to order everything on the menu, so we went for it and ordered a ridiculous amount for 2 people.  It sounds insane to recap all the food we consumed, but each dish was proportioned perfectly so we were able to have a nice taste of the majority of the menu and still have room for more!

Highlights were the fresh oysters, baked escargots soaked in garlic and buttery goodness, light and refreshing Fennel & Granny Smith Salad with pomegranates, mini bite-sized ribeye cheeseburger (could have eaten 5 of those little guys, they were so good!), poached eggs florentine with the poached egg cooked perfectly (a rare find in Beijing), and the desserts were superb.

The only dish that did not exceed our expectations was the seafood carpaccio (a little bland) and the fennel pizza was not up to par with everything else that came out of the kitchen. It was soggy at the bottom and the flavors of bacon and scallops did not stand out as I had expected.

Overall, Fennel’s Sunday brunch is an amazing deal – RMB 218 for all you can eat off of an amazing menu that is not buffet style (I try to avoid all buffets other than The Orchard). If you’re a seafood lover like me, then the RMB 298 deal includes a massive seafood platter (we just opted for a selection of fresh oysters).

LumDimSum Snapshots of Fennel’s Brunch Dishes:

Passion Menta – passionfruit, mint, green apple juice / Anguria – watermelon, lemon peel, lychee/ Mela Verde – mint, green apple juice, lime juice

Seafood Carpaccio with ginger, sesame & fresh herbs / Fennel & Granny Smith Salad with pomegranate & roasted hazelnuts on a bed of frisee lettuce

Baked escargots in lemon garlic butter / Australian beef steak tartar with brioche toast

Hand-picked selection of a dozen fresh oysters

Rib eye Cheeseburger with cherry tomato-basil salad & fries / Poached Eggs Florentine on creamy spinach and norwegian salmon, topped with sauce hollandaise

Miso Baked Cod on Brandade with a clam ponzu vinaigrette / Pizza Fennel Shaved fennel, spinach, scallops & bacon

Caramelized Banana Pancake with syrup, toasted nuts and dry fruit salad / Banana Pizza with chocolate sauce & vanilla ice cream

Mini Baked Alaska with Wild Berry Sauce

Amedei World Best Chocolate Cake with Cream

LumDimSum Snapshots of Yi House Art Hotel in 798:

Review of Fennel’s Sunday Brunch:1 Hou Jie, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 酒仙桥路2号院798艺术区706后街1号一驿酒店, Tel: 6436-1818

Best Part:

• A bright and beautiful venue for a classy Sunday brunch with plenty of natural sunlight
• The menu variety is extensive to say the least – serving up everything from fresh seafood platters to escargot, mini cheeseburgers and pizzas to Asian-inspired dishes and a range of desserts.
• Escargot, mini cheeseburger, steak tartar, eggs florentine and banana pizza dessert are all must-try dishes.
• More than just prosecco and cocktails, they have 3 “cleaner” fresh fruit drinks that are seriously the perfect hang-over cure! 
• GM Raphael Holzer is the perfect host.  He’s professional, hospitable and after the hostess turned us away (we forgot to make a reservation), he saved the day and seated us almost immediately.
• I am a huge fan of their music selection – because they kept playing tracks by The xx (my favorite!).

Comments:

• This brunch experience was one of the best I’ve ever had, totally superb and amazing value. RMB 218 is a steal as most of the top high-end brunches in Beijing are over RMB 400 per person.
• After recent negative brunch experiences at some of Beijing’s finest restaurants including Maison Boulud and Capital M (see article here), it was refreshing to dine at Fennel.  It’s fine dining done right in a beautiful ambiance, friendly service and you leaving feeling like it was great value.
• Be sure to make a reservation in advance as they are very popular!  I got lucky this time, but I’ve learned my lesson and will be sure to call in advance in the future.
• It’s a perfect place to brunch with either a small group or a big group as portions are all small and easy to share.  The fact that it’s all-you-can-eat makes it even more awesome.
• Their menu is awesome especially as a first-timer, but since it does not regularly change, you may begin to look elsewhere for variety after a few times at Fennel, but I already can’t wait to go back.

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

• Food: 9
• Atmosphere: 9
• Service: 9
• Overall Experience: 9

LumDimSum Discovery: Vineyard’s English Breakfast

Vineyard's Full English Breakfast (RMB 68)

The Vineyard Cafe’s Full English Breakfast has long been reason alone to make the trip there. For only RMB 68, you get the following (photo above):

2 Pork Sausages

Sautéed Potatoes

2 Rashers of Bacon

Grilled Tomato

Button Mushrooms

Baked Beans

Toast & Butter

Egg (however you like it)

Your choice of coffee or tea

In addition to their popular Full English Breakfast, they have most recently updated their Brunch Menu to add a Vegetarian Brunch Set Menu (RMB 63) along with the option to customize your own breakfast plate.

I opted for a combination of the Classic English Breakfast and the Vegetarian Meal Deal -

2 Rashers of Bacon

2 Sausages

Button Mushrooms

2 Vegetarian Patties

Over-easy Egg

Whole Meal Toast

Total: RMB 53

Another great brunch menu item is their Eggs-Benedict (RMB 26):

The Vineyard’s New Brunch Menu:

Review of Vineyard Cafe: 31 Wudaoying Hutong,Yonghegong - west of Yonghegong; 五道营胡同31号  雍和宫桥南; Tel: 6402-7961

Best Part:

• Great value for a hearty brunch meal – Full English Breakfast is a great deal
• Venue has a nice outdoor dining space and I personally love the use of the hutong style space.
• Conveniently located by the Yonghegong subway stop, just across from the Lama Temple
• Giant glass of fresh squeezed juices and smoothies only RMB 25.
• Consistent, quality food every time.

Comments:

• Their Full English Breakfast used to come with fresh squeezed apple juice, which was a highlight. Now you can choose between coffee and tea and they were inflexible when asked if that could be substituted (even for drink items at a lower cost than coffee/tea).
• Service is a bit slow and staff did not speak very good English.
• They book up, so I recommend making a reservation in advance.
• Best to check map to make sure you don’t get lost:

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

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

Beijing Brunchathon + Second Sip

Beijingers are spoiled with choice when it comes to weekend brunches.

Brunch in Beijing means more than a hangover cure or a weekend gossip fest, it can ultimately be an all day excursion.

With heavenly places like the Orchard and the Vineyard Cafe, you can easily find yourself spending the better half of the day lounging around, enjoying the good food and good company, knowing that today is your day to relax, worry-free before Monday rolls around.

Orchard Oasis

Top 5 picks for a lazy Sunday brunch:

1. The Orchard – It’s a magical place. The Sunday Brunch Buffet is absolutely worth the RMB 180 considering the quality and wide assortment of delicious “European Comfort Food” dishes to choose from.  There is a delightful selection of fresh, home-baked breads (I’m a sucker for fresh bread), fresh, organic salads, whole salmon, 2 soups, over 10 different entree dishes (meats and veggies), and 5 different dessert baked goods.  Only downfall: it’s a nightmare to find and to leave if you don’t have a car/driver.
2. Vineyard Café – A hidden gem, down an alley across from Yonghegong (Lama Temple). I say ‘hidden’ in the sense that it’s a bit difficult to find, but it’s incredibly popular. Don’t go without a reservation, especially if you want to sit in their outdoor courtyard seating.
3. Chef Too - Known for their steaks, but I enjoy their eggs benedict.  See review here
4. DimSum Brunch @ JinDingXuan (Tuanjiehu branch) – 24-hour joint with buzzing atmosphere, and great, cheap dimsum anytime of day. See review here.
5. Café Zarah – (located on Gulou): A sweet little Cafe on Gulou with wifi, good people-watching perch, and satisfying breakfast combos and ice cream from Gustomenta

And then there are those dangerously tempting and not to mention gluttonous hotel champagne brunches.

When the Westin Chaoyang first launched their Sunday brunch, Bubblicious, I was there in a heartbeat since my ultimate Beijing champagne brunch is by far the Westin Financial Street brunch, Senses.  This is by far the most elaborate, extensive, high-quality hotel brunch in Beijing. Champagne included is close to RMB 400 including the 15% service charge, it’s about 50 RMB less without the bubbly.  See review here.

My previous experience of Bubblicious was satisfactory, winning bonus points with their fresh squeezed juice and smoothies selection along with a jaw-dropping dessert section.

This past weekend, my good friend and fellow foodie MeiLi Autumn just brunched it up at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang brunch, Bubblicious and as a LumDimSum fan, she would like to present to you a ‘second sip’ of this mega-brunch.

Bubblicious Second Sip by Meili Autumn

• This was my second Bubblicious at the Westin Chaoyang and I have to say it did not disappoint. At such Mega-Brunches, as I like to call them, one must have a clear strategy in order to enjoy all that the venue has to offer. Upon first walk-around I saw an impressive meat station, an extensive raw bar with lobster, oysters, prawn, and assorted sashimi, sushi chefs hand-rolling fresh sushi,  DIY Caesar salad bar, Chinese noodle section, dimsum and dumpling assortments, Italian section with pizza and handmade pastas, an amazing array of Indian curries, roasts meats, and naan, breakfast station with fresh juices, smoothies, eggs to order and all the sweet breakfast carbs (pancakes, French toast, waffles) and of course the breakfast meats (bacon, sausage, ham). I haven’t even gotten to the dessert and alcohol sections!

This was a lot to take in, I admit. But take it in I did, in platefuls and platefuls. It was decadent and over the top and I felt like royalty at a glamorous feast. The waiter never let my champagne glass get dry and they serve Vueve Clicqot too- one of my faves. If taking vodka shots is more your style on a Sunday morning, they also have a shot bar with different chasers and mixers.

My favorite little touch is their DIY Blini station. Blinis are small, yeast-leavened, buckwheat pancakes that originally come from Russia. Classically they are served with sour cream and caviar or smoked salmon. They go perfectly with champagne, oysters, and yes, vodka.

I have to say, I’ve been to many Mega-brunches in Beijing. Bubblicious is definitely at the top.

Best Part:

• LOTS to choose from and EVERYTHING was delicious
• Great Indian Food- some of the best I’ve had in BEIJING!
• Delicious smoothies and fresh juices
• Innovative and Creative
• Great Service
• Amazing desserts- try their custard bread pudding
• Family-friendly

Comments:

• A little disappointed at the weak looking oysters
• Didn’t care for the brand of ice cream- stick with Haagendaaz.
• Bit Pricey – they just raised it from RMB 368 to 398

**For the next two Sundays, the Westin’s Bubblicious brunch will be featuring the acapella group, “Under Broadway” singing Christmas Carols directed by my good friend, Cody Leung.

The Orchard Oasis

In the three years I have spent in Beijing, I have never made the trip out to Shunyi until today.

I have heard great things about The Orchard but was always reluctant to go without being accompanied by someone who knew how to get me there (after hearing how difficult it is to find).

Granted the cab ride from my place in the Chaoyang Park area to The Orchard was a hefty 64RMB (+5 RMB toll fee), but when you pull up into a canopy of apple trees and step into the charming courtyard oasis, I instantly fell in love and you really do feel right at home.

It’s a magical place. The Sunday Brunch Buffet is absolutely worth the RMB 180 considering the quality and wide assortment of delicious “European Comfort Food” dishes to choose from.  There is a delightful selection of fresh, home-baked breads (I’m a sucker for fresh bread), fresh, organic salads, whole salmon, 2 soups, over 10 different entree dishes (meats and veggies), and 5 different dessert baked goods.

Orchard Brunch Breakdown:

• Winners: Puff Pastry Turnover (shrimp, mushroom and spinach), Pineapple-Avocado Salad, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, Grilled Veggies (eggplant, onions, peppers, zucchini), Oyster Mushrooms, Whole Salmon, Cheesy Bread and Olive aoli, Vegetable Quiche, Beer-Braised Beef.
• Fresh Bread and Salad Selection were the buffet highlights
• Meat entree dishes (lamb and chicken) were both quite dry and tough
• Desserts were only mediocre (we found ourselves going back for appetizers and banana bread instead of their cakes)
• Selection of refreshments: Apple Juice, OJ, Iced Tea (was a bit disappointed they did not serve fresh apple juice with their massive orchard of apple trees just outside)

If it weren’t for the difficult location and inaccessibility, I would be the Orchard’s #1 fan. Location aside, I really did fall in love with this place and would still say that The Orchard experience is still worth the long trip out to the boonies.

Review of The Orchard: Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang Township, Shunyi – Located right behind the Beijing Riviera and Quanfa Gardens  崔各庄乡何各庄村  Tel: 139-1121-1965, 6433-6270

Best Part:

• My new favorite Sunday Brunch Spot, perfect for a cozy, peaceful Sunday afternoon, where you can enjoy good food and just sit and relax for hours.
• The ambiance is incredibly warm and welcoming with its charming décor and friendly service
• The Orchard’s very own unique garden and three hot houses grow the restaurant’s organic herbs, vegetables, and fruit (the salads are delightful).
• They venue also contains a quaint little gift shop that sells furniture, jars of homemade jams and cooking sauces, dried herbs, clothing, jewelry, handmade soaps, and accessories.

Comments:

• I highly recommend coming with a driver as its a nightmare to find and also to leave (the restaurant only provides black taxis who will charge RMB 100 to get you back into town)
• Its advised to make a reservation 3-4 days in advance (My choice seating would be in their center courtyard space with plenty of natural sunlight throughout the day).

Enoteca: Your ‘Best Enemy’

Last night, while I dined at Enoteca for its killer Gourmet Month Special, I discovered why some call Enoteca their ‘Best Enemy’.

As luck would have it, we just happened to dine at Enoteca while they were hosting a wine tasting of beautiful red, white and rose Argentenian wines – Ampakama.

After sampling almost 10 different bottles of red and white wines, my taste buds confirm my appreciation for Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Very impressive.

Favorite Quote of the Night: “Enoteca’s wine deals are dangerous.  I come here after work for a glass of wine and figure that with two glasses, I might as well get a bottle. (bottles start at rmb99) I invite friends to share the bottle of wine, which quickly turns into 3 bottles. I love this place, but it really is my Best Enemy.”

Gourmet Month Menu Special: For only 99RMB, they offer 4 courses plus a generous glass of wine.

Gourmet Month menu highlights: Pumpkin Soup, Snow Crab Turnip Carpaccio, Poached Veal and all three desserts: Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Mousse, and Cinnamon Crème Brûlée

Enoteca Review: M102 Northern Tower, The Place, 9A Guanghua Lu, CBD/Guomao 光华路9A世贸天阶北街F1-M102 Tel: 6587-1578

Best Part:

• The food is up to par with their wine, which says a lot
• They have a great Sunday Brunch
• Their wine specials are dangerously tempting
• They are always hosting wine tastings and Manager Thomas is great with wine recommendations and suggestions
• Great desserts: love their cinnamon crème brûlée and chocolate mousse 
  
• They feature live music (Blues band on Wednesdays, Jazz band on Thursdays)

Comments:

• I wish their food menu was more extensive
• Gourmet Month Menu is a great value – 4 courses PLUS a glass of wine for only RMB 99 (but note that the four courses are more like tapas than course meals)

Guinea Pig for the Park Plaza

A big perk about working in PR: You get so hooked up like how I just got so hooked up with an invitation to spend the night in the new Park Plaza Beijing West Hotel before it’s even officially opened!  Lucky for me, the Park Plaza’s Executive Chef, Matthew Van Der Zwan is one of my favorite people and extended a personal and very generous invitation to me alongside some big name VIPs and influential individuals in Beijing.

Standard Park Plaza Hotel Room

Last night, I was wined and dined and wined again before I slept like a baby at the new Park Plaza Beijing West Hotel (near the Wukesong National Basketball Stadium) for their soft-opening trial period.

As a participant in their pre-opening simulations, I was requested by the hotel to try out and sample everything the hotel had to offer – from their dining outlets (SOLID Dining Lounge & RED), drinking outlets (LIQUID Bar & Flame Lounge), and do something I’ve never dared do: take from my room’s minibar!

It was such a pleasurable experience from the get-go.  From the welcoming and friendly check-in to enter a beautifully sophisticated room with an enormous bed and high-tech comfort controls to get you what you really need most from a hotel: a night of beauty sleep.

And the second best thing only hotels can offer: Ridiculous Buffet Meals.  As much as I would have liked to dine in their in-house Chinese restaurant RED, I just pigged out at SOLID’s buffet dinner AND breakfast buffet.  Food overload is an understatement.

While I was there, the dinner buffet only featured a portion of what they will serve when they are officially open, but it already included a wide range of fresh seafood including sashimi, snow crab, Australian oysters, scallops, along with other shellfish, pates, delicatessen, fresh baked breads, fresh oven-cooked pizza, soups, noodle/pasta station, a wide range of Western & Chinese hot dishes, and a delicious assortment of desserts including everything from cherry clafoutis, cakes, tartlets, dessert shooters and other sweet treats.

Highlighted favorites: Range of fine Australian wines, fresh snow crab, chicken & corn soup, lamb dish, garlic mashed potatoes,

Review of Park Plaza Beijing West Hotel: Between Wanshoulu and Wukesong, on XiCuiLu (just beside the Natinal Basketball Stadium.) Targeting business and leisure travelers

Best Part:

• The glorious bed that awaits you in your room
• SOLID’s Dinner & Breakfast Buffet (fresh seafood, hearty soups, fresh pizza, breakfast selection, BOMB dessert spread)
• Diverse event spaces
• Matthew Van Der Zwan, the Park Plaza’s Executive Chef, is the most talented, motivated, personable professional in town
• Their prices for rooms, for dining and drinking is much more affordable than your expected hotel prices (a standard room per night will start at around 400-500rmb) – they have 263 rooms & suites
• All rooms come equipped with complimentary high-speed broadband internet access
• Equipped gym & locker rooms with sauna, jacuzzi and steam room
• Their Club Lounge on the top floor has a great view and food available 24/7

Comments:

• Instead of a spa, they have installed a larger business center with meeting rooms built for privacy and conference calls
• The Park Plaza’s location in the west side of Beijing will be targeting a market unknown to me (my knowledge of the west side is slim to zip).

Overall ‘guinea pig’ experience summed up in 1 phrase:  Trial Without The Error

PR Hot Tip: Always try to be among the first to see and check out new venues.

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)

DimSum YumYum

It’s crazy how different Chinese food in China is compared to the Chinese food abroad.  As a Chinese American growing up in California, I only thought of the difference between the greasy Chinese food you get take-out for super cheap compared to the scrumptious, healthy food my mom and grandmom cooked at home for dinner.

I was so ignorant before I moved to China. I had no idea there were so many different provinces, each with their own unique and specialized cuisine.  In essence, I always thought Chinese food was Cantonese food.

I had no idea I’d come to China and find the food here so foreign to my palate and how sorely mistaken my preconceptions of Chinese food were.  My favorite Chinese food from America is pretty much non-existant here in China and the local food here is rare to find in the US.  I may know of some restaurants that serve some Sichuan food, but Hunan?  Yunan? Xinjiang? Ah, the list continues.  I think the closest thing to Gong Bao Ji Ding (宫爆鸡丁) is probably General’s Chicken – and that’s totally different!

My parents find it hilarious that the first thing I want when I get back to the US is dimsum.  Growing up, my family and I always had dimsum brunch at least once a week, so I would definitely consider dimsum a staple food I know by heart and love to eat.

I know there are a ton of places to get dimsum in China, but it’s all either super expensive in a hotel (which I find overrated) or just not up to par with my standards growing up (I hate Jin Ding Xuan).  I have yet to find one place that’s got the right balance of value, quality and service.

This is as close as it gets:

1. Lei Garden 利苑 - Recommended by a friend for their good quality DimSum Brunch

Best Part:

• Very good quality DimSum, definitely up to my standards
  

  3 orders of Dan Tas at Lei Garden

• Favorites: Cha Shao Bao, Luobuo Gao, & Dan Tas for Dessert (see photo here)
• Pretty packed and nice buzzing atmosphere (always a good sign when a place is full)
• Nice, clean environment, good hygiene

Comments:

• I highly recommend booking ahead for a reservation, they said the wait was over an hour for those without a reservation.  Lucky we came prepared.
• I know DimSum is meant to be small, but these portions were extra mini
• About RMB 150 per person (on the pricier side)
• The AC was on full blast – way too cold, but it was nice that they offered a shawl to wear, which nearly everyone in the restaurant was wearing
• The menu was not only written only in Chinese, it was most an odd mix of both traditional and simplified characters
• They won’t give you smaller bills in change to divide among the group (as with most Chinese restaurants – such a pet peeve).

3/F, Jinbao Tower, 89 Jinbao Jie, Wangfujing – beside The Regent Hotel
金宝街89号金宝大厦3层 丽金酒店东侧

8522-1212

2. Zen5es – located in the Westin Chaoyang, I was interested after reading about their Simply Dim Sum Specials and their award-winning chef Joyce Zhu. 

Best Part:

• I’m normally against hotel F&B outlets, but Zen5es in the Westin has a great dimsum deal going on: Simply Dim Sum Lunch – RMB 88 for all-you-can-eat dim sum available for lunch during the week, and Simply Dim Sum Brunch – RMB 168 for two people every weekend for brunch.
• Clean, easy to use bilingual menu with an extensive selection of dimsum available
• Great quality dimsum
• Nice space &  friendly staff

Comments:

• The space was pretty quiet when I went for lunch during the week for a business lunch
• While their dim sum was great, I recommend a pass on the noodle dishes, which were massive and quite bland.
• This photo is obviously an exaggeration of what you receive, in reality, the presentation of all dim sum dishes is quite normal with either the round steam baskets or white porcelain mini dishes.

4F, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, No. 1 Xinyuan Nan Road,  Sanlitun
Yan Sha Qiao of 3rd Ring Road
金茂北京威斯汀大饭店4层，朝阳区新源南路1号

5922-8880

**I’m always happy to try new places, so I welcome any suggestions and recommendations here! 

Wine Bar Enoteca Serves Up a Sweet Weekend Brunch

Turns Out – Enoteca (Located in The Place Shopping Mall), known for their fine wine selection, just served up another reason to extend your weekend stay – they just started a sweet weekend brunch! Shanghai’s ever-popular wine bar is now also a great Sunday Brunch destination. Who knew?

*Enoteca just launched a new menu 2 days ago and I’m a big fan of their brunch:

I highly recommend:

Enoteca’s Brunch (available Sat-Sun until 4pm) RMB 120, includes:

• Salmon Tartar
• Quiche (today it was mushroom)
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Brie + Emmental Cheese paired with Parma Ham + Cooked Ham
• Egg ‘a la coque’ with caviar
• Bread
• Butter Croissant
• Jam
• Fresh Yogurt
• Fresh OJ/Grape Juice

Enoteca's Brunch

For those who prefer a more typical American brunch, try their American Plate for RMB 98

• Eggs Benedict (choose from ham or salmon)
• Pesto Sauteed Mushrooms
• Pork Sausages
• Grilled Bacon
• Hash Brown
• Baked Tomato
• House Salad
• Fresh OJ/Grape Juice

For those who prefer a lighter brunch option, I recommend their

3 Tomatoes Salad for RMB 45 (all salads are RMB 45):

• Sundried, Roasted + Fresh Tomatoes, Feta Cheese and Olives