Siif Design Hotel Bar: Same Old Siif

Date: Feb 3rd 2012 12:01p.m.
Contributed by: chynes

Siif Hotel Bar is artistic and quaint, everything a cozy bar should be?except that it doesn?t really do booze. A visit on a Thursday evening saw the place empty save the manager, and the whiskey-based specialty cocktail If? (¥40) was delivered from the Siif bar two doors down. The décor is deceptive, considering the racks of liquor bottles. Turns out they?re just for decoration. The space is pleasant, but there doesn?t seem much reason to go here if not staying in the hotel.

Our rating: 2/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Siif Hotel Bar

Where: 57 Beiluoguxiang, ????57?

Tel: 6004-6432

The Vine Leaf: Gastro What?

Date: Feb 1st 2012 1:03p.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

The Vine Leaf is being heralded as Beijing?s first gastropub, but while we get the ?gastro? part, we?re not sure this cozy hutong venue qualifies as a ?pub.? There were only five bottled beers available the night we visited, and not much of a pub atmosphere. But as a restaurant, The Vine Leaf is very nice. It?s owned by the same people behind the Vineyard Café, so the same pizzas, burgers and brunch options are all available, as well as some more ?pub?-ish additions. The fish & chips (¥72) is expensive, but the portion is huge. The mushy peas on the side are delicious, as are the potato wedges, but instead of the traditional, crunchy beer batter, the fish is covered in a light, crisp batter that tastes more like tempura than British pub fare. It?s not bad, but Village Café?s fish & chips are better. The soups are delicious, and very nicely presented with crispy baguette. The watercress and blue cheese soup (¥40) tastes healthy and peppery, and the cheese adds a great salty, savory flavor. The chorizo and chickpea soup (¥45) has a hearty broth, with chunky vegetables and excellent spicy chorizo sausage. The venue, which looks a lot like a miniature version of The Vineyard, is surprisingly warm and cozy given that it?s in a hutong and has many large windows. Service is good, and food is served promptly.

Our rating: 3.5/5 stars

DETAILS

What: The Vine Leaf

Where: 9 Jianchang Hutong, ????9?

Tel: 6407-6308

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Year of the Dragon: A Look at the Last Six Dragon Years

Date: Jan 26th 2012 1:34p.m.
Contributed by: cityweekend

The dragon is the most mysterious of all the creatures in the Chinese zodiac. As its only mythical animal, it leaps out from the rats and roosters as the most savage, regal and decidedly enigmatic character in the cycle. It's traditionally associated with passion, intellect, nobility and sometimes violence and tyranny, and the Year of the Dragon is historically notorious for bringing about significant, earth-shaking events. To know the future, you?ve got to look into the past, and as we prepare for what 2012 may bring, we dug into history to bring you a retrospective of Beijing?s last six Years of the Dragon.

1940: War and Resistance

The Second Sino-Japanese War, or The War of Resistance to Japanese Aggression, as it?s known in China, had brought phenomenal damage to the country, and despite decisive victories against the Japanese at Changsha and Guangxi in 1939, and the spectacular destruction of a Japanese airport by Chinese guerrillas, this Year of the Dragon saw Beijing economically strained and occupied by the Japanese. Although occupation was not as harsh in Beijing as in other places, there was still resentment and resistance. On November 11, 1940, on Dong Huang Cheng Hutong (near the south end of Nanluoguxiang, where Di?anmen Wai Dajie is today), just outside the American Evangelical Church, a Chinese assassin shot two Japanese military officers who were out riding their horses. One died, and the other was severely injured. The assassination attempt was well planned, and while the Japanese scoured the neighborhood that day, they could find nothing. Days later, they caught a man who claimed responsibility for the crime, but his statement contained many flaws, and the Japanese were unconvinced. It was months later when the Japanese finally caught the real assassin, Ma Kedi, who was at ...

Get Beyond Dumplings and Discover Other Traditional Spring Festival Foods

Date: Jan 21st 2012 11:40a.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

Last year for Chinese New Year, I viewed the fireworks from Atmosphere, on the 80th floor of the China World Summit Wing. Though the view of dusty Beijing looking like a warzone was unlike anything I?d ever seen before, I was really craving traditional Chinese dishes that I?m used to from home. On a mission to find a restaurant, instead I found closed doors and unexpectedly stumbled into holiday staff parties. So I suggest for all staying in the city for Chunjie to instead prepare for a dinner party. And a proper Chinese New Year?s Eve dinner includes much more than just making jiaozi.

My favorite dish that appears at my family table for Spring Festival is whole steamed fish, which is meant to bring abundance. Serving the fish whole with the bones is not something many Westerners are used to, but for this custom, it implies eating prosperity from head to tail. This dish is usually steamed lightly with soy sauce, scallions, ginger and garlic, but every family has their own version. For the freshest fish I recommend heading to Fengtai?s Jingshen Seafood Market. There are also multiple restaurants around the area that can cook your freshly bought market fish for you. I recommend going to Dalian Haixian on the third floor of the seafood market.

For dessert, my Hakka Chinese family makes qiaoguo, a crunchy fried dough twist with sesame seeds. Since this is a homemade dish, I failed to find any in grocery stores. But Din Tai Fung, though mostly known for dumplings, also offers various treats that you can pre-order and take home. Their tangyuan (¥16) are steamed glutinous rice dumpling balls in a sweet boiled rice water and wine soup topped with goji berries. Tangyuan are traditionally eaten for Yuanxiao Jie ...

Hello Kitty Dreams: Cute Décor, Wretched Food

Date: Jan 28th 2012 1:10p.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

?They could serve poop, and we?d still love it,? we declared in the weeks before Hello Kitty Dreams opened. Unfortunately, it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. The décor at Beijing?s first Hello Kitty-themed restaurant will send any Sanrio fan into a state of ecstasy, but the atrociously bad food will dissuade even the most die-hard Kitty enthusiast from a repeat visit .

There are two lunch options: a ¥188 one-person menu, or a ¥368 two-person menu. The food is identical on both, with a few added extras for the couple?s menu. The fact that a selection of four yogurts came in adorable Hello Kitty bowls almost distracted us from the question of why one would serve yogurt as an appetizer . Still, it was better than the other appetizer, oddly textured shrimp loaded with mayo. Next a cold, grainy potato salad?we?re not sure we could have made it worse if we tried?and an unappetizing Caesar salad. The red potato with ?beeroof? soup was an alarmingly purple, watery gruel. The beef tenderloin with wasabi sauce and pan-fried turbot fish mains were better, albeit airplane quality. The mousse cake tasted alright, though the fact it was shaped like Hello Kitty?s face definitely tampered with our judgment of the flavor.

But we still spent our meal in a haze of childlike excitement. The restaurant almost makes up in pinkness and cuteness what it lacks in any kind of culinary appeal . Hello Kitty is everywhere, from the soap dispenser to the napkins. The servers wear little girl-style pink dresses, and while a bit awkward, they are terribly friendly and considerate.

For now, Hello Kitty Dreams is a one-time experience, and a very overpriced photo op . But if the menu were only improved to the point where the food was edible ...

Scenes from New Year?s Eve at D-22

Date: Jan 20th 2012 12:49p.m.
Contributed by: etung

It?s New Year?s Eve, the night of the last big show at D-22, and all the house bands?Birdstriking, Snapline, Carsick Cars, Chui Wan?are holed up inside the little bar like kids in a bomb shelter, watching quietly as girl-rock trio Ourself Beside Me does a last-minute soundcheck.

Outside, a long line of shivering college kids winds around the block, waiting for the doors to open. Soon they will fill the venue with their sweating, smoking, drinking bodies, a fitting coda to the days when Joyside used to pack the place so full the staff thought the balcony would cave in.

Behind the bar, D-22?s owner Michael Pettis sips his drink and looks weary. It?s been something of a whirlwind week for him since a scuffle with the venue?s new landlord led to the sudden revelation that D-22 would be closing a full four months ahead of schedule.

?I can?t tell you how many bands have come up to me telling me how they?re going to cry when D-22 closes,? he tells me.

None of them would say that to me, I hazard. Pettis smiles. ?That?s how you know the scene?s changed,? he says. ?In the beginning, everyone was excited and enthusiastic. Now, they?re more concerned about seeming cool.?

Affected indifference is a small price to pay when you consider the seachange that has transformed local rock which was once marginal and foreign-dominated into a thriving homegrown scene. ?In the old days, foreigners in the scene were looked up to just for being foreigners,? Pettis says. ?With D-22, one of the things we wanted to do was create a club that was not for foreigners, but for the Chinese kids.?

This was why Pettis decided to plunk his CBGB-styled ...

Wu: Party in the Wu

Date: Jan 20th 2012 4:09p.m.
Contributed by: alexjsearson

Wudaokou isn?t known for classy establishments, but new nightclub Wu is set to change that. Once you descend the stairs from street level into the low, red-hued lighting, you?re greeted with a long bar, coat check and dark wood tables. The space is a concrete S-shape which winds from the main bar, past the bathrooms, and back into a dance area which has its own bar. The music is Top 40 dance hits, but with different twists between the front and back?a subtle but important touch that makes the place flow just right. The drinks flow too, with cocktails from ¥25 and shots at ¥10.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Wu

Where: 1/F, NW Corner, U-Center, U-Center???????

Tel: 189-1020-6978

Ouest: Oh, Crepe

Date: Jan 20th 2012 4:03p.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

When Le Petit Gourmand stopped making galettes over a year ago, we worried that Beijing had become a city devoid of the savory French crepes. But now, there?s a restaurant entirely dedicated to crepes and galettes, and doing a great job with both. Ouest is located in the former Ras space, next to 2 Kolegas, but it manages to avoid the divey vibe. The atmosphere is cool, with comfortable chairs, modern beige and gray tones, good lighting and relaxing music. The bathroom is an immense improvement over the Ras days. The restaurant?s French owned and run, and the recipes are generations old, so you?re definitely getting something authentic. The pancakes have a really nice buckwheat flavor, and the texture is better than Crepanini, although still not the crisp perfection of La Taverne. Ouest is positioning itself as a contemporary creperie, so you get creative fillings as well as the classics. The ?Sweeta? (¥52) is made with curry sauce, chicken and emmental cheese, an original combination that works quite well. The ?Anne? (¥50) is made with emmental, goat cheese, Roquefort, mozzarella and arugula?just the thing for cheese lovers. The dessert menu is just as extensive as the selection of savory items, and sweet crepes start at ¥20. We liked the beautifully presented ?Joelle? (¥38), which comes with strawberries, strawberry sauce, almond slices, white chocolate and whipped cream, but our favorite crepe of the night was the ?Marion? (¥42). It?s filled with apple, salted caramel and toasted almonds, topped with ice cream and whipped cream. The wine list is all affordable French stuff, with glasses starting from ¥25. More exceptional is the availability of hard cider from Brittany (¥25/glass, ¥115/bottle), which the restaurant imports on its own.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Ouest ...

Check Out These Music Haunts You?ve Never Been To

Date: Jan 16th 2012 4:38p.m.
Contributed by: etung

New Year?s isn?t just about the passing of another year of wasted potential. Heck no! It?s about making resolutions you?ll never keep. So I ditched the whole ?quit smoking? thing in favor of some some new and rarely-visited Beijing music venues. See if you can hit all four in 2012.

13 Club

Believe it or not, before the rise of Gulou, Wudaokou used to be the home land of punk and hard rock?and 13 Club was its capital. These days, 13 remains the city?s primary haven for metal, but don?t let the vampire-like Europeans loitering out front deter you. 13 is worth checking out for its cheap drinks, decent sound system and?honest to God?the nicest bathrooms of any music spot in Beijing. If you aren?t into headbanging, wait for an off night when a folk band is playing, and spend the evening playing foosball.

Drink of choice: Cheap shots

Expert Tip: Find this boozy venue next to D-22 (RIP)

Tiny Salt Club

Specializing in folk rock, this hidden gem boasts a cozy, rustic interior that defies its coarsely commercial setting. With a mezzanine and a low stage, the compact café/bar is decked out with portraits of famous musicians and CDs. Though Tiny Salt recently changed hands, it continues to host punk and folk most days, along with well-attended crosstalk performances.

Drink of choice: A classy Erdinger

Expert Tip: Check out their schedule at weibo.com/weibozhiyan shangdu before going

Raying Temple

Located in the wilds of Tongzhou, hippie house/performance space Raying is the home of the NoJiji collective, known for wild noise shows, DIY label and destroying sound equipment. This place takes dedication to get to, but once you?re there it?s like being transported. Sit on ...

Huazai Chuan?r Bar: Homestyle Chinese

Date: Jan 16th 2012 12:14p.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

This 24-hour kebab and Chinese staple eatery is completely underwhelming in every way, and the food here is fit only to be consumed in the late hours of the night. The blank gray walls and wooden tables and benches give the space a dark and gloomy feel, and with bamboo shoots being the only sign of decoration, we felt like we were, literally, in a concrete jungle. The staff sits at open tables, bored and watching CCTV, though a shout of ?fuwuyuan? summons them quickly.

The chicken wing chuan?r (¥6) taste decent enough, with four different levels of spiciness to choose from, but their size is pathetic. We?d skip the tough, dry and overcooked lamb kebab (¥3), as well as the under-seasoned mantou (¥1). The fragrant mushroom kebab (¥3) is overly lubricated, and is just a gummy and greasy piece of produce. The only kebab we fully enjoyed was the fried egg (¥2), which is actually a boiled egg with spices and a yummy, soft, yellow yolk. Off the menu of staple dishes, the Sichuan cold jelly rice noodles (¥8) aren?t bad, but they?re also nothing amazing. The geda tang soup (¥14) looks promising but lacks salt. Our favorite dish is actually the over-sauced fried rice (¥10), a humongous plate of one of our favorite Chinese starches and the only dish we tried that had a sufficient amount of flavor. Huazai?s owned by the same people behind the Heaven Liquor Shop: they might want to stick to the booze business. Still, at 4am, we admit that one might feel differently about the mediocre food on offer here.

Our rating: 2/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Huazai Chuan'r Bar

Where: 14 Xindong Lu, ???14?

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants ...

Shala: Jianwai Cafe

Date: Jan 13th 2012 4:18p.m.
Contributed by: alexjsearson

Most offerings at Jianwai SOHO have a thrown-together feeling. But Shala, hidden in the west complex, has all the details to make a cozy cafe/bar. With throw cushions galore, and a birdcage and jazz for ambiance, it feels like a friend?s living room. The Japanese owner doesn?t have much English, but pointing always works. The cocktails (¥30-45) are decent, but the stand-out was their hot buttered rum (¥40). It matches their homemade cakes (¥25) perfectly for an after-work treat.

Our rating: 3/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Shala

Where: B1 8816, Bldg 17, Jianwai SOHO, ??SOHO??17????8816

Tel: 5743-8027

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Pasticceria Da Giuliano: Sweet Talk

Date: Jan 10th 2012 1:08p.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

This new addition to Beijing?s dessert craze offers loveable Italian pastries, tarts and cakes. The eatery is charming, with a light pink and marble veneer and relaxing Italian tunes in the background. The croissants and pastries range ¥8-12, a meager cost for their large size. We recommend the almond croissant?a soft and fluffy pillow of dough topped with almonds and powdered sugar. It?s made with margarine, so it?s not as crispy as the French version, but it still tastes good without being overly sweet or as calorie-laden. The mignon cakes (¥5/each) are a rainbow of sugary delights. We especially enjoyed the dragon fruit, kiwi and mango tart, with its delicious firm crust and light, natural sweetness. The superb walnut and chocolate tart is perfect for those who like it rich. The lemon Italian cheesecake (¥25/slice) is scrumptious, the creamy ricotta cheese and zesty lemon a great flavor combination. These larger cakes are sold by the slice and by the whole, but to be sure you can pre-order at least 24 hours in advance. The staff needs more training in knowing the type of desserts they serve, but are still friendly. With beverage and dessert sets ranging ¥45-65, Da Giuliano is an ideal fit for afternoon coffee and treats, though we recommend going in the morning for the best selection.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Da Giuliano Pasticceria

Where: 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, ??????1?

Tel: 8454-4508

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

New Year?s Resolutions to Make 2012 a Year of Culinary Growth

Date: Jan 10th 2012 12:44p.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

Ring in the New Year and bring on the New Year?s Resolutions! But instead of typical, boring, lose weight kind of goals, I?m setting fun and measurable dining resolutions for myself, so that this year will be one of gourmet growth and indulgence.

The biggest weakness of being an avid drinker is that when it comes to pairing wine with food, sometimes I just don?t care. I know the basics?white wine goes with seafood and red wine goes with dark meat?but most of the time I focus solely on getting inebriated. But this year I plan to get educated. The art of wine can really modify a meal, and being a food writer for almost three years has made the wine-learning process a newfound ambition. I am going to check out Pudao Wines, where there are regular wine tasting events and a varying assortment of 20 wines flowing out of the Enomatic wine machines. Another way I plan on successfully accomplishing this resolution is to actually read about wine. And when it comes to the Beijing scene, there is nobody better to learn from than Jim Boyce, a blogger well known for his food and beverage commentary on Beijing Boyce and the Grape Wall of China.

My second resolution for the year is to host my first dinner party. I love to cook but barely find time in between my demanding eating and social schedules. I usually only cook when I?m helping out chef buddies cater events. There are so many elements that go into creating a successful dinner party. The most important component is obviously food, and I want to create an authentic family-style Hakka meal for my dearest friends. Though I haven?t sorted out exact details, I plan on incorporating my ...

Seven Secrets of Highly Successful Expats

Date: Jan 5th 2012 4:59p.m.
Contributed by: cityweekend

Life coaches are experts in you, your life and the inner workings of your brain. But they?re also expensive?like ¥2,000 an hour expensive. So we?ve talked to some of Beijing and Shanghai?s best coaches and stolen their secrets. Read on to discover how you can make your life better in 2012 and activate whatever powers?human, superhuman or otherwise?lie within you.

Want more secrets of success? Check out more tips straight from several Shanghai-based life coaches

Secret 1

Move the Goal Posts

There?s no hiding from Shanghai-based life coach and former Singapore Air Force lieutenant-colonel Jeff Tan. He?s heard every excuse for procrastinating. Happily, he has a few secrets to overcoming the natural urge to put things off.

?What I?ve experienced is that a lot of people who want to switch their lives tend to set a goal that is just huge. And huge goals are okay, but then they get the fear and procrastinate?because it?s just too big! And then the moon and sun are not aligned, and Venus and Jupiter are out of sync. They?re looking for the perfect moment, maybe waiting for the economy to turn. Well, it?s turned, but not the way we wanted it to.

?When we wait for the right time to take action, we never get started on making change. Now, here?s the secret: make it smaller! By setting smaller, more quickly achievable goals, your mind relaxes and change is less of a big deal. Smaller steps are more likely to lead to accomplishing the larger goal in the end.

?The other obstacle is putting too long a time frame on your goal, so things don?t change. One difference between a real goal and a distant dream is ...

V+: The V Spot

Date: Jan 6th 2012 1:11p.m.
Contributed by: leemack

Vics has scaled up with V+ in the old Klubb Rouge space. They?ve replaced cavernous emptiness with maze-like coziness: nooks, lofts, gorgeous lighting and Worker?s Stadium views. Mirrors on the ceiling and big feathered fronds put it in the same league as LAN Club and Spark, but V+?s chill house music policy makes Spark look like a frat party. But you need to throw down for bottles and a table (¥1,600+). Also, there?s too much security and over-officious service for normal people to feel at home. But that?s part of the gambit. Put on your Armani suit and join Beijing?s beautiful people.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: V+

Where: Party Floor, Bldg 3, China View, Gongti East Road, ????????3?

Tel: 8587-1233

Temple Restaurant Beijing: Instant Classic

Date: Jan 6th 2012 1:03p.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

It should come as a shock to no one that Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) is outstanding. Arguably the most anticipated opening of 2011 is helmed by Ignace Lecleir, the man who opened Maison Boulud, and it?s housed in a 600-year-old temple. Unsurprisingly, the environment is ground breaking and the service is flawless. The food isn?t perfect, but still very high quality.

The interior is modern, although you can still feel the structure of the renovated temple. We look forward to summer when you can get a better look at the exterior?winter is too cold and dark to do the courtyard justice. Seating is varied, making the venue appropriate for both large dinners and intimate meals, and the space between tables offers a refreshing degree of privacy.

The menu is straightforward, with just enough choices but not overwhelming. Exquisitely presented portions are on the small side, but the food is rich and the flavors bold. The tomato salad (¥90) tastes very fresh thanks to the basil, and the intense balls of goat cheese pair nicely with the tomatoes. The smoked salmon with poached egg, seaweed crostini and fennel (¥112) is delectably soft, though a little salty. The salmon with squid and leeks (¥180) is also quite salty, but the ink sauce it?s cooked in is superb. The rich, wintry lamb entrée (¥260) comes with a slow cooked shoulder, a creamy polenta and superb herb-crusted lamb fillet.

The panna cotta (¥68) has a perfect texture and exceptional fresh fruit compote. Meanwhile, despite its wonderful chocolate honeycomb and orange foam, the parfait (¥68) is more interesting than tasty. The jasmine tea and pistachio flavors make for a taste similar to barley tea or rice milk, and the texture is strange. But, with multiple rounds of complimentary sweets, you don ...

Ours: DIY BBQ

Date: Jan 4th 2012 4:21p.m.
Contributed by: lisa_gay

Ours is Japanese barbecue featuring DIY grilling with a rustic touch. The meat is fresh, and there?s a variety of veggies, too. Those used to Korean-style barbecue will miss the fixings which automatically grace the grilling table. If you want kimchi or soup on the side, you?ll have to order it separately. Set A (¥118) has solid cuts of rib, offal and tenderloin beef, but how the food turns out depends on your cooking skill?part of the fun, really. We only wish the grills were pre-greased, as some of our cuts kept sticking. Try out the delightfully named ?prison food? (¥15) for a cheap and quirky rice-based side. Service is generally friendly, though rather hover-y for a DIY affair. Round out your meal with a draft Asahi (¥20) or Japanese-style cocktail.

Our rating: 3/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Ours

Where: 6 Lucky Street, 1-5 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu ?????1-5????6?

Tel: 5867-0206

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Pudao Wines: Wine Tasting Heaven

Date: Jan 3rd 2012 10:40a.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

Nowhere in Beijing utilizes the potential of Enomatic machines for serious tasting as well as Pudao Wines does. This try-before-you-buy potential, plus the staggering selection, makes Pudao the most exciting wine shop in town. It?s run by Summergate Wines, and is intended to be a retail venue rather than a wine bar. That said, there?s lots of wine drinking to be done there. You pay ¥300 to start tasting, ¥100 of which is a membership fee, and ¥200 of which goes towards pre-paid Enomatic credit. There?s no food on offer, but you get complimentary mineral water and delicious cheesy bread sticks. Customers can also order from neighboring restaurants like Annie?s or LMPlus. Wines in the Enomatic machines change every two weeks, and are chosen by theme. This setup allows for comparison between wines from different countries, of different prices and of different production styles, making an evening here extremely educational. You?ll be able to try affordably priced tasting pours of fantastic high-end wines, and there?s lots of entry level stuff as well. Tasting flights started at ¥7 on our visit, with many bottles in the ¥100-200 range.

Our rating: 5/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Pudao Wines

Where: Unit F1-01, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintong West Road, ????10???????AB?F1-01

Tel: 8590-3020

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Bu Zhi Dao: Mexican Wave

Date: Dec 30th 2011 3:09p.m.
Contributed by: cityweekend

Located in a hutong alongside several hostels, Bu Zhi Dao marries Qing-chic furnishing with Mexican-inspired drinks. The menu is currently limited to liquor (¥25-40), beer (¥25-30) and a small, intriguing selection of blended cocktails made with rum or tequila (¥45). We can see the frozen margarita-esque drinks being popular during the summer. Bu Zhi Dao is a solid little bar with an interesting conceit if they can pull off the Mexican small-bites when the weather warms up.

Our rating: 3/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Bu Zhi Dao

Where: 56 Dongsijiutiao, ????56?

Tel: 6405-5510

Katoya: Simply Delish

Date: Dec 28th 2011 5:46p.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

Finally, a decent neighborhood restaurant has taken over the old Tube Station Sandwich space. Katoya has always been our favorite eatery in Weigongcun, so we?re thrilled they?ve opened a second branch on the east side. The restaurant is quaint and unpretentious, with delicious food at an affordable price.

The space is small but cozy, with simple postcards of Japanese women on the wall and happy hour prices and libations. Reserve the huge tatami room for parties of ten or more.

The fried pork tonkatsu with cheese (¥30) is the best Japanese hangover food we?ve ever tasted. This huge pork cutlet is fried to crisp perfection with a generous amount of cheese that stretches out with each bite. Don?t forget to add the special tonkatsu sauce found on each table?this simple condiment is savory and heightens the crunchy, gooey and delectable dish. The fried tofu (¥16) is the classic Japanese agedashi doufu, four lightly fried squares lying in a bed of light soy topped with fish flakes and green onion. The exterior is fried to a golden crisp with a silky smooth core, and the fish flakes make for a nice salty jolt with the umami soy. The roast eel (¥55) is a great portion for the price and perfectly cooked. The sauce is a bit sweet, but the chopped ginger pickled radish on the side adds a pungent flair of freshness. There is also an assortment of yakitori kebabs, and though it?s not date-appropriate, the roasted garlic (¥2) is delicious. The salmon rolls wrapped in seaweed (¥12/two) are also scrumptious.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Katoya

Where: Across from 55 Xinzhong Jie, ???55?????

Tel: 8447-2905

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent ...

The Rug: Excellent Ambiance, Inauthentic Bagels

Date: Dec 26th 2011 11:53a.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

Any restaurant which wants to specialize in bagels in Beijing faces a tough audience of American bagel fanatics fiending for the hole-y staple. Sorry, fellow fiends?The Rug won?t fulfill your cravings for authentic bagels. But the food is nonetheless quite good, and the environment here is exceptional.

The Rug boasts beautiful interior design, with great lighting, lots of natural wood, colorful sofas and calm music. A gorgeous outdoor deck makes us miss summer weather all the more. Service here is very, very friendly and courteous.

The bagels are far from authentic. The texture is denser than it should be, and they taste a bit like soft pretzels. It?s a far cry from Mrs. Shanen?s, and not as good as the ones at Lush. It?s ¥16 for a plain bagel, and you can get a smallish portion of cream cheese on the side for ¥15. The bagel sandwiches come with two cups of tea or coffee. We were immediately drawn to the bagel with lox and dill (¥88), served with a side of garlicky potatoes. But while the sandwich looks gourmet, we don?t understand why the smoked salmon is diced, and you can?t really taste the cream cheese.

The Rug?s warm house salad (¥58), made with organic greens, huge croutons, bacon, Parmesan and a poached egg, has a nice light dressing, wonderful runny yolk and tasty bacon, but the flavors still didn?t blow us away. The Napoleon special salad (¥76) is more impressive. You get a stack of layered smoked salmon and brie cheese, with mixed greens on the side, a generous pour of olive oil and lemon to squeeze yourself.

Desserts are good here. The cheesecake (¥35) is very creamy, and we loved the apple pie (price TBD), a new addition ...

The Weirdest, Coolest Places in Beijing You?ve Never Been To

Date: Oct 28th 2011 10:51a.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

You?ve been to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall. But that doesn?t mean you?ve seen everything Beijing has to offer?far from it. The capital is a treasure trove of weird, cool, interesting places. We scouted them out and here are our top picks--just in time for the witching season.

Dongyue's Daoist Hell

We bet you?ve driven by Dongyue Temple on Chaoyangmen Wai hundreds of times without ever actually going in. This is a mistake. This Daoist temple houses some of the weirdest, coolest stuff we?ve ever seen in Beijing. The main courtyard is surrounded by dozens of displays, each representing a different office of the Daoist afterlife. And each office includes about 10 statues. Some look like normal people, but most do not. There are frog- and snail-faced water gods, forest spirits with trees growing out of their heads, zombies and all sorts of torture scenes. Chinese religion never seemed so fun, and it?s a great place to get in the Halloween mood. At the back of the temple is the Museum of Chinese Folk Culture. It sounds boring, but there are actually some interesting displays on traditional holidays. For example, did you know there?s a Chinese holiday to celebrate insects? Neither did we.

Details: 141 Chaowai Dajie, ??????141?, Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30am-4:30pm, ¥10.

Wonders of the World

Missing home? Just head to World Park in southwest Fengtai and find yourself surrounded by familiar sites. Okay, it?s not quite like home?the Golden Gate Bridge here crosses the Grand Canyon, and you?ll see the Eiffel Tower peaking up through the Manhattan skyline. Oddly, this is the premier destination for wedding photography in Beijing, which makes it extra fun. If you?re feeling jealous of the blushing ...

Best Massage Deals in Beijing

Date: Nov 11th 2011 4:05p.m.
Contributed by: cityweekend

Admit it?cheap massages are one of your favorite things about living in China. We?ve done the hard work of getting massages all over town, and have assembled this list of the best deals out there, broken up by neighborhood so that you?re never far away from total relaxation. We also tried out a few that were pretty horrific--we'll let you know where so you can give them a wide berth.

Sanlitun

Aibosen: This place is one of our favorite spots for massage. The blind massage therapists here really know their stuff, and full-body and foot massages are only ¥118 per hour. You also get tea, fruit and rice crackers at the end of your treatment. The two-story venue was just renovated last year, so it?s very clean and comfortable. Return customers can also get a 10-massage card for ¥790, or a 20-massage card for ¥1,380.

Find it: A11 Liufang Beili, ?????11?, Tel: 6465-2044

Kangning Massage: This local favorite offers one of the best massages we?ve ever had anywhere, and it?s a shocking ¥68 for an hour. The blind masseurs have an amazing understanding of all the problem areas for office workers , and they?re the only place we?ve been in the city that actually breaks down all the knots in our necks, shoulders and lower backs. You shouldn?t expect anything fancy?they?ll take you across a drafty corridor into a sparsely decorated communal massage room?but somehow you?ll still feel ridiculously relaxed, even with a stranger getting a massage right next to you.

Find it: Next to Door 1, 8 Xinyuan Nanlu, ????8??1????, Tel: 6463-1399

Frost Massage: Located smack-dab in the middle of expat central, this salon and spa has a small massage area but really specializes in ...

Frost: Frosted Nails, Frosty Pints

Date: Dec 23rd 2011 3:12p.m.
Contributed by: alexjsearson

Frost was already popular for their mani/pedis, but when they moved down the road, they wanted to get into the bar business, too. It seems an odd combo, and the persistent acetone smell confirms it, but what it lacks in scent it makes up for in reliability. They have a solid offering of imported beers (¥18-60), wine and coffee, as well as a short list of unique and fruity cocktails (¥48-55). They can also get you Gung Ho fare delivered if you?re peckish after your polish. It?s not the slickest place in town, but it?s friendly, which is all we want from our local barman/nail technician.

Our rating: 3/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Frost: Coffee, Nails & Cocktails

Where: Xingfucun Zhonglu, across from April Gourmet on the west, ???????????

Tel: 138-1107-4516

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Aizai Café: Wonderful Waffles

Date: Dec 22nd 2011 11:36a.m.
Contributed by: mikalafreasbeck

Aizai Café isn?t an easy find, but well worth it for the bagels, waffles and coffees. Fresh bagels (¥20) come with a generous spread of cream cheese. They?re whipped up by a former ayi who learned to make bagels from a Western family she used to work for. They taught her well: they?re crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside. But the waffles (¥25), made in a proper waffle iron with house-made batter, steal the show. We had ours covered in whipped cream and peach preserves. The café only uses fresh beans from 798?s Rickshaw Roasters and fresh, organic Wonder Milk products in its coffees. Barista and café consultant Matt Banker worked in cafés in the U.S. for eight years?and his perfectly smooth lattes (¥20/25) prove it.

Our rating: 4/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Aizai Café

Where: Shop 158, ULO Park Bldg 608 Wangjing Yuan, ???608???????158??

Tel: 134-3989-9903

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Bene: Mangia Bene

Date: Dec 20th 2011 4:52p.m.
Contributed by: siennapc

The new Sheraton Dongcheng?s Bene brings upscale Italian dining to a part of the city devoid of competition. The food isn?t the city?s best Italian cuisine, but it?s solid, and the environment is very comfortable. The best thing here is the Bene pizza roll (¥108), a unique dish that?s hard to come by in Beijing. It?s extremely cheesy, and also stuffed with mushrooms, artichokes and delicious salami, served with a rocket and parmesan salad. The Bene spinosini (¥158) features perfectly textured, lemony house-made pasta with an assortment of fresh seafood, artichokes and sun-dried tomato. The minestrone (¥58) here is also good, with a tasty broth and parmesan served on the side. But while the pappardelle all?aragosta (¥158) looks fantastic, the over-cooked lobster in the dish seems like a waste of a quality ingredient. With the exception of the incredibly creamy fresh mozzarella and invigorating bruschetta, the rather small anti-pasto plate (¥98) doesn?t particularly impress, either?we prefer the one at Va Piano. The antipasto di mare (¥118) is a much better choice, featuring a good tuna carpaccio. Service is professional but tends to hover about the table a bit much for a Western restaurant and, as in all hotel restaurants, there?s a 15 percent surcharge.

Our rating: 3.5/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Bene

Where: Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng, 36 North Third Ring Road East, ?????36?

Tel: 5798-8995

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Twilo: Twi-hard

Date: Dec 16th 2011 4:05p.m.
Contributed by: alexjsearson

This new nightclub in Guanghua SOHO is not a place for the sophisticated drinker. They have a selection of serviceable cocktails (¥50/60), but the cornerstone of their establishment is their bottle service. The music from the DJ decks is a danceable party mix with something for everyone. The decoration is unremarkable, but service is at least attentive. The biggest drawbacks are spotty phone reception and the bathroom is on the second floor, back up the skinny staircase.

Our rating: 3/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Twilo

Where: Guanghua Lu SOHO 103A/B, ???SOHO 103A/B

Tel: 158-1055-2741

City Weekend is the only online magazine in Beijing to review restaurants according to a transparent process vetted by local food & beverage professionals. Check our Restaurant Review Process here.

Biao Mei: Dim Sum Success

Date: Dec 16th 2011 3:30p.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

This kooky Cantonese joint feels like a funhouse with its long open tables and gaudy patterned sofas. The décor is kitschy but fun, and we especially enjoyed the cartoon characters on the menus and placemats, and the humongous dim sum soup spoon. Service is quick and friendly, and the food is very similar to Sanlitun Village fast-food dim sum eateries like Chao Dian and Herbal Café?quick, simple and sufficient.

The shaomai (¥22) are extraordinary, with huge whole shrimp on top. They were flavorful in taste and succulent in texture. The oyster barbecue pork buns (¥16) were served just the way we expected?a standard savory classic with luscious oyster sauce. The liushaobao (¥16) keeps the traditional flavors of this sweet egg and sugar custard but wraps it in a green tea bun, which we were skeptical about at first glance. However, the tea flavor of the bun was mild and added just a hint of taste without overpowering the rest of the dish. The black pepper turnip tripe (¥19) is a most authentic, chewy peppery pleasure.

However, we were disappointed that some dim sum staples, like barbecue pork buns, were unavailable on our visit. There were also many issues with the vermicelli beef roll (¥22). The texture was mushy, the rice wrapper was too thick, the golden mushrooms that were supposed to be included were nowhere to be found, and the ingredients tasted like the dish came out of a freezer bag.

The dim sum here isn?t stellar, but it?s sufficient enough that if we lived or worked in the area, we would stop by for a meal.

Our rating: 3.5/5 stars

DETAILS

What: Biao Mei

Where: Bldg 8, World City, 8-9 Jinhui Lu, ???8-9???????8??

Tel: 8353-5999

City Weekend is the only online magazine in ...

A Tour of Chinese Cheese in Regional Cuisines

Date: Dec 15th 2011 11:59a.m.
Contributed by: tingy13

In my opinion, cheese is the best dairy product on earth. Growing up on a strictly Chinese diet, I only discovered it late in childhood in the school lunchroom. But since moving to Beijing, I?ve found that cheese is actually an integral part of a handful of Chinese cuisines.

Cheese has made its way across the country, starting from the fields of China?s western regions. Inner Mongolia?s yak cheese is more like yuck cheese. This cheese isn?t made with water, and the lack of moisture results in a chalky texture with a light sour aftertaste. If I was stuck in a yurt in Inner Mongolia, I would totally eat it, but I wouldn?t recommend the restaurant in Beijing?s Inner Mongolia Hotel, which serves the uninspiring dairy product plain and raw.

Palace Cheese on Xiqiaogan Hutong is an old school snack shop serving cheesy Beijing treats ranging from puddings, tarts and cakes that date back to the Qing dynasty. Here, the cheese products are all dessert oriented . The red bean pudding (¥10) is a simple recipe made of egg, milk and sugar, and can be consumed hot or cold. I prefer the cooler form, which provides a smooth texture akin to panna cotta, with sweet red beans the size of blueberries. The milk cake (¥5) is my favorite and the star out of all the cheesy treats. The texture is somewhat like firm feta cheese, though the actual cheese flavor is mild, the red bean swirl is the icing in this little cake that makes it so delectable.

Yunnan is one province with plenty of cheesy delights . Feng Huang Zhu?s deep-fried cheese sticks (¥36) are humongous twisty chips served with sweet condensed milk. They don?t have a pungent cheesy salty flavor, though, and ...

Shanghai?s Much Buzzed Duck Fight Goose

Date: Dec 14th 2011 1:26p.m.
Contributed by: etung

Beijing may be home to Carsick Cars, the Gar, Hedgehog and P.K.14, but Shanghai has a secret weapon: Duck Fight Goose. Ok, so maybe that?s an unfair comparison, especially considering that the experimental quartet only started up in 2009. But in buzz years (similar to dog years), Duck Fight Goose is well beyond its calender age. Serving as a handy reminder is this month?s release of their debut album, Sports, which they celebrate with a show on December 17 at D-22.

Part of the reason Duck Fight Goose have managed to generate so much buzz in such a short time is that the band is made up of veterans of the underground scene, with two members from exquisite weirdo-band Boojii, and a singer/guitarist who also happens to be the frontman of critically acclaimed psychedelic outfit LAVA/SEA/OX.

?With Duck Fight Goose there was something I wanted to express for the first time,? says frontman Han Han. In the beginning, this meant the kind of heavily looped math rock the band recorded on Flow. Cerebral, frenetic, sharp, the EP won high critical praise and quickly established DFG as one of China?s leading experimental bands. ?This is an aural testament to local creativity and originality,? commented Shanghai music critic Andy Best.

So fans will be in for a surprise when they listen to Sports, which represents a major shift in sound and approach from Flow. In contrast to the latter?s sharp, experimental angles, Sports boasts a more conventional?if still complex?sound, rich with heavily textured post-punk dirges.

?We are more straightforward, and at the same time not as dynamic,? Han Han says of Sports. ?The idea was to make something more like ?adult rock,? without losing the complexity we always want, and create ...