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Beijing / Dining / Other


 

This serves Uyghur food from the Xinjiang province of China. The food is over-priced and only mediocre and we’ve seen the entertainment and the embarrassed tourists before, but it’s fun to dance on the tables and party after the meal. What Afunti lacks in quality of food, it makes up for in party power and belly-dancing.

 

This small restaurant is a restored, halfcourtyard house in the hutongs. It’s tucked away in an alley, and unless you knew to look for the two red lanterns outside the door, you’d never find it. Café Sambal has been thoroughly renovated and it’s private and very cosy. The food is excellent, the atmosphere relaxed and you absolutely must try the deep-fried banana.

 

This is a life saver on a cold winter’s day—American cuisine as only Mom can make it. The interior closely resembles a home on the prairie (or in a suburb) and is pleasant to sit in. Try the Caesar salad and top it off with a perfect piece of apple pie or carrot cake. You almost expect to get a hug and a brown bag when you leave.

 

This has to be one of the trendiest places in the city. The food is superb, the wine is good and the service is so friendly it may border on the intrusive. However, it’s the interior design that really makes this place stand out. Still waiting for the Michelin stars, but who cares—fabulous is the only word.

 

One of Beijing’s best Viet[name]se restaurants, this is a very popular venue. It’s advisable to reserve a table in advance, especially on weekends. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant’s second floor is tastefully decorated. The lime soda is rather good, for a Viet[name]se restaurant outside the country.

 
 
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