2009 Dec 21 What Are Your Fondest Food Memories Of 2009?
As another year draws to a close, we asked some of Beijing’s dining VIPs to recount their culinary highlights of 2009. Here’s what they had to say …
Daniel Urdaneta, head chef, Mosto
“I’ve been in Beijing for around three and a half years and all this time I’ve enjoy Chinese food. At the beginning I stuck to the most popular dishes that people recommended, such a kungpao chicken, jiaozi, etc.; but it was in 2009 that I first tried the Sichuan noodles, dandan mian. The explosion of distinctive flavors on my tongue made me fall in love with dish. Since them I eat it every week at least once!”
Jen Lin-Liu, author and owner of Black Sesame Kitchen
“I guess it would have to be the evening that Martin Yan (a famous Chinese-American chef, and the star of his own show ‘Yan Can Cook’) sauntered into Black Sesame Kitchen during one of our Friday night communal dinners. I had mentioned it to him and wasn’t sure if he would be able to make it, but he arrived and stayed in the background at the dinner — until everyone who had come that night recognized him! Everyone was so surprised to see him. He was so low-key and gracious but you could tell he loved being in the spotlight!”
Gaby Alves, restaurateur, SALT
“I went to Brazil in February and ate moqueca, a traditional clay pot fish stew. I was in Natal on a cliff watching the ocean - beautiful. And this year SALT became two years old, I want to say thanks to our amazing customers and friends for all their support, it was a wonderful thing seeing everyone together at our anniversary party this month.”
Max Levy, head chef, Bei, Opposite House
“A supplier, after forgetting to bring sugar with his delivery informed me that it was "out of season". When I asked if it would be back in season again soon, he replied that it was up to the government.”
“Brian McKenna, chef and owner, ROOMbeijing”
"2009 for me personally and professionally and was a great year. It allowed me some freedom to travel all over Asia and see and learn new things, and it allowed me to bring in a great team of people. We also did some very exciting things, like having Albert Adria here - all in preparation for the launch of ROOMbeijing early 2010 and a few other very exciting projects we're planning for Beijing."
Daya Prasad, GM, Mirch Masala
“The most memorable restaurants I ate in during 2009 were Rumi, Huajia Yiyuan, Alemeda and Purple Haze. And Mirch Masala of course!”
Kristun Lum, blogger and PR socialite, www.lumdimsum.com
“A highlight for me was definitely the opening of the second Hatsune in Sanlitun Village on April 16, 2009. It was an invite-only guest list, about 500 people showed up and with an open bar, wells of sake, trays of Hatsune's sushi rolls for everyone, this night went down as one of the most talked about and successful Beijing restaurant opening parties, definitely a night to remember...or can't remember!”
Benjamin Devos, owner, Comptoirs de France
“The first time I went to W Dine & Wine right after they set up the new Cocotte menu. The boss invited a lot of people and we all tried the new food … it was a really memorable dinner.”
Jessica Wang, PR manager, Hotel G
“I’ve fallen in love with Pure Lotus Vegetarian this year. The food, presentation, service, and decor of the place, in fact so many little details really make me think this is the best restaurant ever. Every visit is a great experience!”
My own food highlights of 2009? Capital M’s opening party (sorry Michelle - I’ve still got one of your champagne glasses), perfect noodles ‘n’ broth at Invincible Ramen, the eight cheese platter at Scarlett, discovering Beijing’s provincial government restaurants, lobster salad at Domus, massive margaritas at Amigo, Ganges lunch buffet, the stampeding elephant at the Westin Chaoyang’s Indian food festival, the tasting menu at Mosto, Hat’s Off at the Westin Financial Street 2009, the list is long …
What about you?
Feel free to add your own fond food memories to the comments...
You might also be interested in :
Shucking Brilliant: Record-Breaking Oyster Man Patrick McMurray
Some people are good at eating pizza. Some people are good at running. And, well, some people are really good at shucking. Enter one Patrick McMurray, who currently holds the Guinness World Record for Most Oysters Shucked In One Minute: 38. He's visiting our fair city in a couple of weeks, and was kind enough to have a chat with us ...
If you weren't a shucker, what would you do?
I would want to be a lumberjack! Or a teacher … or maybe a baker, artist, or brewmaster.Dad's Day Out: Father's Day Brunches
It's Father's Day this Sunday (June 19), and, inevitably, restaurants are putting two and two together and making brunch. Some of them are doing dinner as well. So if your dad is around town and his idea of a good time is sitting down to a hearty meal and a glass of wine, beer or champagne (or multiple bottles of each), take a look at how you can treat him this weekend.
2011 Reader Restaurant Awards: Romance, Impression, and Style
You’ve seen the results of our 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards – now let’s take a closer look at the winners. In each of this series of posts, we’ll cover the winners in a group of categories, with comments from theBeijinger.com’s User Reviews flagged up to indicate just why readers like them, and links to each venue’s Directory listing on our website.
To get us started, here are the winners in the “For a Romantic Meal,” “Impressing Visitors,” and “Décor” categories. This round is all about impressing and impressions, whether it’s a restaurant for taking a girl, out-of-town guests, or people that are awed by design – from modern opulence to classical French.
Feast on Lit: Capital M This Week
This week sees three delectable events on the Capital M Literary Festival schedule: get lost in a mother-daughter mystery framed around historical art, drool over a foodie trip down the Silk Road, and learn the pitfalls of writing across cultural, political and social boundaries. Also special about these weeknight events is the food. Capital M's fare is, well, capital, but if the opening cocktail reception on Friday was any indication (toothsome mushroom risotto! fresh, fragrant soft-shelled crab! lovely wines!), this festival's a celebration of more than books. Read on for more info.
The Food of Love: Valentine’s Meal Deals
Here’s a round-up of restaurants going the extra mile to help you seal the deal this Valentine’s. Click the restaurant titles for maps and user reviews, and don’t forget to call ahead for reservations. Also, only propose publicly if you’re at least fairly sure your partner won’t laugh in your face. It happens. She wasn't worth it anyway. I'm better off without her.
Jerry
Re: What Are Your Fondest Food Memories Of 2009?
Eating too many delicious raw oysters at the Capital M opening party ... discovering cheap scallops at the Dongjiao Market and Yellow Valley's domestically made Gouda cheese ... enjoying La Pizza's pizzas ... Dining and (much) wining with W Dine and Wine's owner Geoffrey Weckx ... Buying decently priced and prepared pesto and mozarella at the Agrilandia station near my house ... Finding real Xinjiang beer at a dive on Baiziwan ... going through a whole year with no major laduzi incident to date (knock on wood)
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
ladymarmalade
Re: What Are Your Fondest Food Memories Of 2009?
my favourite memory of 2009 was eating barbecued pigeon at a taiwain restaurant tastier than roast duck - my worst memory was by accident ordering turtle in a restauant, we still feel guilty about doing it.