2009 Jul 31 The List: Club Med - Summer dining doesn’t get better than this
Picture huge bowls of Greek salad, thin-crust pizzas, rustic bread and endless carafes of ruby-red wine. Now imagine a group of friends sitting around enjoying the spread al fresco in some Mediterranean setting. With their fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, light salads and variety of wines, the cuisines of the Mediterranean are best enjoyed with the summer sun; seek them out in these Beijing restaurants.
Agua
One of last year’s finest openings, Agua gets good reports for its delicately presented dishes and strong wine list. The interior is decorated in passionate reds and blacks, and the terrace overlooking the Legation Quarter is simply gorgeous. The Spanish influence is down to Catalan chef Jordi Valles; Beijing is lucky to have him. One for a special occasion. Daily noon-2pm, 6.30-10.30pm. Ch’ien Men 23,23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. (6559 6266) 东城区前门东大街23号
Assaggi
Less flashy than hotel restaurants like Barolo and Cepe, Assaggi is nevertheless one of Beijing’s more refined options for Italian dining. As with Athena (see below), the embassy district setting makes for a peaceful, laidback experience, not least on the tree-lined roof garden. Don’t miss their tasty fresh pasta and home-made bread. Daily noon-2.30pm, 6.30-11pm. 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District. (8454 4508) 尝试, 朝阳区三里屯北小街1号
Athena
Among Beijing’s handful of Greek restaurants, Athena offers the most convenient choice for downtowners. The Sanlitun embassy district location also has the advantage of a shady, tree-lined terrace for al fresco dining. If rain forces you inside, the decor might just convince you that you’re on a Greek island as you enjoy everything from tzatziki to baklava. Daily 11.30am-11pm. 1 Sanlitun Xiwujie, Chaoyang District.(6464 6036) 雅典娜, 朝阳区三里屯西五街1号
Barolo
Ritz-Carlton’s Beijing hotels have certainly got their Italian thing down. Barolo’s open kitchen and classy dining room are the theater for the restaurant’s fine, elegantly presented Italian cuisine. They’ve just introduced a new seasonal menu, and continue to offer three-course business set meals for CBD types. Mon-Sat 11.30am-2pm, 6-10pm. 2/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, China Central Place, 83A Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5908 8888) 巴罗洛, 朝阳区建国路甲83
Cepe
Chef Eugenio Iraci is clearly a fan of cooking with truffles from northern Italy – many of Cepe’s dishes prominently feature the esteemed mushrooms. Rich flavors, fine wine and intimate surrounds are just a few of the details you’ll lock away in the memory after a meal prepared at the hand of one of the city’s most talented, not to mention personable chefs. In Beijing, the journey west is rarely this compelling. Daily 11am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. The Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. (6629 6996) 西城区金城坊东街1号北京金融街丽思卡顿酒店大堂
Metro
One of Beijing’s oldest Italian restaurants. If your date is a pasta fan, you can’t go wrong with Metro. The accessible menu offers over ten choices of pasta – all freshly cut on the premises – which you can combine with one of over 40 sauces. Don’t assume the focus on pasta makes this a cheap and cheerful fast food joint; the smart dining room will make you regret coming out with trainers on. Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11.30am-10pm. 9 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6552 7828) 美特柔, 朝阳区工体西路9号
Moro
Moroccan fare is in short supply in Beijing, but this restaurant is a fine ambassador for the North African nation. Book ahead to be sure of your table, and don’t even think about bringing a large group unless you intend to book the entire restaurant out – it only seats around 20 to 30
diners. Try the tagines, prepared with the freshest local produce manager and chef Youssef Moro can seek out. Tue-Sun noon-2pm, 6-11pm.8 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (8448 8250, 130 1112 8039) 朝阳区新源南路8号
The Olive Cafe
The Olive’s interior and menu were freshened up earlier in the year to keep pace with Beijing’s developing tastes. The terrace remains the most consistent draw, however, and has been as busy this summer as in previous years. Beijing consumers clearly enjoy the traffic and noise of Gongti Beilu. Or perhaps they simply like The Olive’s moderately priced antipasti, sandwiches, entrees and wines. Daily 10am-11pm. 17 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6417 9669) 朝阳区工体北路17号
Ristorante Sadler
Simple, sunny design allows the food to take center stage at this Ch’ien Men 23 restaurant. Creative dishes like the sauteed Angus beef fillet with a parmesan mousse and crispy asparagus impress, and there’s a plump selection of fine Italian wines to accompany your meal. Finish with the tiramisu. Visit between 11am-4pm on weekends to “Share and Taste”; choose from pasta, pizza and other a la carte dishes for RMB 88 per person (free for kids under 6). Daily noon-2pm, 6.30-10.30pm. Ch’ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District.(6559 1399) 东城区前门东大街23号
Sureño
Plenty has already been written about The Opposite House’s Mediterranean restaurant; if you haven’t tried it, you should. The relaxed atmosphere is equally suitable for a romantic dinner, birthday party or a family dinner, and the menu is likewise sure to please all tastes. Daily noon-11.30pm. B1/F, The Opposite House, The Village at Sanlitun, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6410 5240) 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village瑜舍地下1层
Tao
Attractively decorated contemporary restaurant with a distinct Mediterranean flavor. Set menus are rotated weekly, and well-priced for the quality of the offerings. Take a date. Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm; Sat-Sun noon-10.30pm.1-34 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu (north of Chaoyang Park West Gate), Chaoyang District. (5867 0209) 乐道, 朝阳区朝阳公园西路1-34号
（朝阳公园西门北边）
Taverna
The beautifully decorated farmhouse-style interior is one reason to visit Taverna. Another is for well-presented signature dishes like paella and suckling pig. For a special occasion, Taverna is more intimate than Sanlitun neighbor Sureño, but don’t be put off if you’re just out for a good time with friends – you’ll likely be in good company. Daily noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. 1949-The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (behind Pacific Century Place), Chaoyang District. (6501 8882) 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (盈科中心南面)
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