Chi Fan for Charity Launch Party

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.

Cheers with Cava: Spanish Wine Tasting

Hosted by MPC Wines and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, enjoy 4 pours of selected Spanish wines paired with Spanish tapas from 7:30PM-9:30PM on Thursday, Aug.26 at the Westin Chaoyang.

Learn about the exotic wines from Tierra de Granada, the sweet crispiness of our cavas, or the mineral and peach notes of Spain’s most representative white: albariño. A unique opportunity to explore and compare the top Spanish wine regions.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 26th August, 2010
• Time: 19:30-21:30PM
• Wines: Cava Oriol Rosell Rosé (90 pts RP), Cava 1+1:3 (87 pts RP), Lagar de Bouza (Albariño), Almaraes (Tierra del Norte de Granada)
• Price: 100 RMB net. Includes 4 pours of selected wines from Spain plus Tapas to pair the wines.

• Location: MIX @ The Westin Chaoyang (7 North Dongsanhuan Road Tel: 5922-8880)

Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Hatsune Wins Best Japanese 6 Years in a Row!

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!!

Owner of the Hatsune Empire, Alan Wong goes up on stage with baby Mason Wong to pick up his award for Best Japanese! 6 years in a row baby!

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.

Collecting Hatsune's Award for Best Japanese

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

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.