What's New Restaurants: C Pearl

Robynne Tindall, Contributing Editor | Jan 3, 2015 5:00 pm | Add a comment | 3197 reads

Oysters seem to be having somewhat of a “moment” in Beijing right now. Having welcomed Breton oyster ambassador Marcel Lesoille in December, we have now been graced with a new addition to Beijing’s short list of existing oyster bars, C Pearl. Much like Lesoille, C Pearl is looking to bring oysters to the masses. While the pricing for some of the more than 15 varieties on offer is not quite so accessible (individual oysters start at RMB 38, but the most expensive will set you back RMB 99 each), they all come equipped with thorough tasting notes, all the better to guide oyster ingénues as they make their first steps into exploring the menu.

Of course, a platter of oysters does not a full meal make. So the rest of the menu is oriented more towards sharing platters and large mains. While the oysters are uniformly fresh, the other dishes are less consistent. Plump Canadian mussels (RMB 169) lack a little creaminess in the sauce, although the overall flavor is good. Pair the moules with frites, of course, but hesitate before pouring all the fries into the mussel pot; save some to go with their sticky and delicious accompanying cheddar cheese sauce (RMB 69).

With its extensive wine list and leaning towards sharing plates, C Pearl seems more like a place to drop in for a bite with friends over a bottle than a specific dinner destination. Either way, oyster fans will want to snap up this pearl as soon as possible.