eltongore's Profile
Non-Chinese food restaurants in China
I love Chinese food, but once in a while I get sick of eating Chinese and have to seek out other options. Here are some of my favorites in Beijing...
Orchard - fancy and out of the way (Shunyi) but worth the 50RMB cab ride when you can't have anymore gongbaojiding. Look here for contact info http://bubbler.net/5A-notes/557608/564089/
Feichang Tai - Very nice Thai place in Chaoyang. If interested, address found here
http://www1.foobai.com/post_en_china_beijing_restaurant_detail_734_Very%20Siam%20(%B7%C7%B3%A3%CC%A9)
Daneli's - One of the few places that I have ever had squid ink pasta (its great btw). Expensive but worth it. Address here
http://www1.foobai.com/post_en_china_beijing_restaurant_detail_2187_Danieli+s
Grandma's Kitchen - Good brunch place for eggs and pancakes. Near St Regis Hotel. Address here http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=beijing@24&cur_section=din&property_id=408972
Some Beijing Recommendations
Thanks so much for these ideas. I concur with you on Feiteng Yuxiang. I like DinTaiFung and just accept its high prices for China. BTW, its "Fung" because it is a Taiwanese chain. The service and almond jello make it worth paying in my mind. I also like "SanGuiZhouRen" though I much prefer the old location near St Regis Hotel. And I am going to try some of the others you mentioned. My suggestions or additions to your great list:
Sichuan - the ChangCheng Fandian (Great Wall Restaurant) which is right next to the Great Wall Sheraton is surprisingly decent and relatively cheap (esp given the proximity to Lao Wai hotel like Sheraton). But the best Sichuan restaurant in Beijing I have been to is in the Sichuan provincial office. South Beauty is not bad either though generally I avoid chain places. Someone reviewed it decently on foobai website so I won't bother going into details.
Might I suggest a Xinjiang place as well? Xinjiang Wanyue Uyghor Muslim Restaurant has the best leg of lamb ever. It takes about 40 minutes (despite what they tell you) but it is absoutely delicious and tender and moist on inside (not dry like most places). Other unmentionable delicacies if you are adventurous enough. I found the address for this place on foobai and it is as good as the restaurant review suggests. In Liutiaohutong.
Best Beijing Duck in Beijing
Coming to Beijing this summer? Skip the touristy Wall (esp Badaling) and head right over to these establishments for the tastiest Beijing Duck in Beijing (any additional suggestions welcome).
1) Made in China - perhaps the most expensive duck but by far the best in my opinion. Not expertly carved (lots of wasted meat), but the nearby open kitchen ensures your duck is hot on your platter (seconds from oven to table). Make reservations or forget about coming. And order the BJ duck in advance as they do run out. As you can see from this blog, the place is sleek, but expect to pay NYC prices for it
http://bubbler.net/5A-notes/557608/574387/
2) Duck King (Ya Wang) - preferably the Scitech branch. Crowded, but favored by the expense account crowd. They do a good job with the duck soup at the end which is why I come here.
3) Da Dong - favored by locals in the know, this location at GontiBei Lu and 3rd ring road has lines forming at 630PM. Go early or wait 30 minutes. Also known for great side dishes. Photos are shown here: http://www1.foobai.com/post.php?action=detail&review_id=5027
4) Quanjude - Mr. Taster does a great review of this place already so I will just link to it and say this is not the best duck, but it is the most famous. Its where dignitaries are taken when they visit Beijing (and the photos are on the walls to prove it). Go to the historical Qianmen location south of Tiannamen. The other branches in Wangfujing and near Hilton Hotel serve mediocre duck in a drab modern setting. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/308138
Whatever you do, avoid Liqun Duck Restaurant like the avian flu. Foobai Beijing restaurant reviews it in more detail than I care to waste my breath on:
http://www1.foobai.com/post_en_china_beijing_restaurant_detail_5406_Li%20Qun%20Roast%20Duck
Happy eating and let me know if you find other good sources of Beijing duck in Beijing.
