2011 Dec 07 First Look: Hello Kitty's New Shimao Restaurant
After more than a year of construction, Beijing's newest department store, Shimao is open for business on the corner of Xindong Lu and Gongti Beilu. There's a number of edible options (more on this later in the week) but arguably the most exciting eatery is the Hello Kitty Dreams restaurant. After successful culinary ventures in Korea and Taiwan, Hello Kitty's first mainland restaurant opens on December 20. We wheedled our way in for a sneak peek ...
The restaurant is on the fourth floor of the new Shimao complex, occupying a reasonable-sized space that can comfortably host about fifty. Ceilings are high and one entire wall is a window, providing great light for blog photos (and diners). Pink chandeliers are sprinkled throughout.
Kitty's open kitchen will be serving Western dishes, with a number of desserts. The menu is currently unconfirmed, two weeks ahead of their opening date. Get your act together, kitty ...
Diners have the choice of booths (pictured above), tables or a private room, upholstered in gilt-bordered, rhinestone-studded brown pleather. There's also a big, flat coffee-table at the forefront of the dining room.
Oh, and you see that glint of fluorescent pink polyester there, just inside the doorway? Yes, on the right - just a hint of it peeking out. That, dear Reader, is a number of pink French maid uniforms that all waitresses will wear - frilly white apron included. If that's not something to look forward to, I'm not sure what is.
Hello Kitty Dreams Restaurant
F408, Shimao Department Store, northwest corner of Gongti Beilu and Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District (no tel)
Hello Kitty 主题梦幻西餐厅, 朝阳区工体北路和新东路路口西北角世贸百货F408室
Photos: Susan Sheng
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