First Glance: The Smokeyard, Sanlitun

On Nan Sanlitun Lu, in the space formerly occupied by the ill-fated F by Tribute, is The Smokeyard, a new American-style casual dining restaurant from the brothers behind Fatface Dining, Eric and Hsu Li. 

The two-level space has seating for about 80 people, with an aesthetic that blends the trendy minimalist factory looks with some classic Americana (also with lots of manly truck paintings on the wall).

Over the course of dinner, we were able to sample a selection of The Smokeyard's signature dishes, including the house ribs with bourbon whisky sauce (RMB 78), the green dip with guacamole with homemade tortilla chips (RMB 28), and the crabmon salad (RMB 38) with smoked salmon, fresh crab, and sesame dressing.

The food is not particularly groundbreaking, but it is pleasantly non-pretentious and homely. The ribs are tender and moreish, especially for the price, and the beef patties in the sliders were perfectly smoky and charred.

Drinks are very (and we mean very) competitively priced, with beers provided by Beixinqiao-based Lark Brewpub at just RMB 18 per pint. That alone should be enough to get eager patrons through the doors. 

The restaurant has been open for under two weeks, so expect things to change and develop as time goes on. This Sanlitun branch opened concurrently with a branch in Wudaokou, and the owners have big plans for a chain of restaurants across Beijing. With solid food at a lower-than-average price point, they might just be able to do it. 

Note: I visited The Smokeyard for a dinner organised by BJ Foodies, where we shared all the dishes as part of a set menu. The presentation or size of the dishes on the normal menu may differ.

More stories by this author here.

Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Robynne Tindall