Contemporary Bistro Hudson Wants to Bring a Slice of Manhattan to Beijing's CBD

As Beijing continues its march towards becoming a hyper-sterile version of Singapore (I'm looking at you, formerly Dirty Bar Street), more often than not we're having to look to malls and office blocks in Sanlitun and the CBD for our restaurant fix. Not that that means we should feel hard done by, especially with the likes of new Manhattan-style bistro Hudson opening up.  

Located on the second floor of the World Financial Center, the art deco-style interior at Hudson certainly has a slick Big Apple vibe. The restaurant is divided into a main dining area and a bar area, with a number of tables outside in WFC's light-filled atrium (great for lunch/brunch). The bar knocks out a small selection of signature cocktails, priced at RMB 88. We particularly enjoyed the F&C G&T, which has a pleasant herbal note from the addition of yellow Chartreuse and a garnish of fresh dill. 

Foodwise, Hudson offers a selection of "small" and "large" plates, alongside raw dishes like oysters and steak tartare and a few grilled steaks. This means that you could either choose to share a bunch of dishes, family-style, or stick to the traditional appetiser-entrée-dessert format. The menu was designed by Bangkok-based chef Dallas Cuddy, who has had a long career across Australia and Asia, and is executed onsite by Chef de Cuisine David Tan.

The food is ingredient-led, with a stated commitment to ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, but that doesn't mean presentation has been left by the wayside. Take the white asparagus with soft-boiled egg and salmon roe (RMB 78, pictured above), for example, which we can't help but feel will be the subject of many Instagrams/WeChat Moments. Equally as presentable is the bresaola with soft polenta and slow-cooked egg (RMB 78), which is finished table-side with cheese foam. Rich and calling out to be scooped up with some crusty bread, this was our favorite of the dishes we tried. 

Many of the dishes have a subtle Asian twist, incorporating flavors such as wasabi, jasmine, and bonito flakes. That being said, the New York element is there too, for example in the NYC cheesecake (RMB 48), although even this has been given a light, modern twist thanks to the addition of tofu to the cheesecake mix (don't worry, you can't taste it, it just lightens up the texture). 

Hudson's pricing is on a par with most mid-range to upscale restaurants in Beijing nowadays but if you are particularly concerned about value, look to their set lunch menu, priced at RMB 128 for two courses or RMB 168 for three courses, including coffee or tea. Throw in a glass of Shiraz or Chardonnay for just RMB 38 (bargain) and you have yourself the perfect venue for a classy lunch date. 

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Photos: Robynne Tindall, courtesy of Hudson