CORRECTION: The following article appears exactly as printed in the Beijinger's November issue. Otaku's management has since pointed out that Otaku should not be linked with Izaka-Ya and Jazz-Ya as part of a "family" of venues, as our article implies. We apologize for any offense caused. 

Otaku follows Spice Factory as the second recent addition to Li Bo’s stable of stylish venues, also including Jazz-Ya, d lounge and Izaka-Ya. It’s as obsessively tasteful as the rest of the family, but gets bashful with manga art and cocktails in bubble tea cups. The quirks won’t wash with everyone, but are minor distractions.

Food explorers will be excited at the rarity and variety of live freshwater fish maintained in tanks – regional specialties from Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Tibet. Any of these can be on your table within moments, if you have the necessary means.

New Japanese restaurants are a trending topic in Gulou lately. Suzuki is cool and cheap, but the food is hit-and-miss. Kiko needs customers like a whale needs Greenpeace. And as for Yoshi Izakaya, that was an insult to sticky rice grains everywhere.

This place is the first Gulou Japanese that feels right as soon as you walk in.

Run by Kiichiro Asano, the Japanese restaurateur responsible for bringing the Inagiku brand to China, this modern, two-story Japanese restaurant features seasonal kaiseki sets (RMB 98-288 for lunch, RMB 450-3,000 for dinner) and tempura. As with many other high-profile fine dining places in town, a 10 percent service fee is charged.

The Filling Station brings the American diner experience to Beijing – but not a kitschy ’50s-style joint. Think of it more as a classic, no-frills roadside stop, complete with a real live Harley front and center. Sharing a space with The Green Cap, the restaurant offers up hearty meals in gluttonously American helpings.