It was a packed house last night. Had to reserve a table and by 7:45 (show-time) it was a full house. The decor's similar to 1001, but much less kitschy.

Anyway, the food's okay. They have 1-metre kebabs (why the hell---?) and regular kebabs are good... 12 RMB. I say "good" because they're not THAT much different from the stuff you can buy on the street. Only 10RMB more expensive.

I really wasn't impressed by the food. Xinjiang food's okay... I don't mind it as a cheap alternative on a night out between KTVs or bars, whatever... but as a high-end cuisine I don't buy it. I ordered a selection of salads, kebabs, mashed potato, potato/chicken dish... all "good" but nothing excited my taste buds like Thai, Mexican, Indian food does (I guess I like it spicy, and by "spicy" I don't just mean full of la jiao!).

Next time I think I'll order the leg of lamb- the table next to mine had it and it looked good. 160RMB, I think.

Or, maybe order the WHOLE sheep! 1,399RMB, if you're into that!

The show: I thought it was fun. They have dancers, singers, belly dancers, a girl with a 1-metre snake. For the snake bit they blind-folded a guy and the girl danced around him with the snake. They she went into the audience and put the snake around some poor guy's neck. Then, back on stage they took the blind-fold off the guy and he wasn't surprised by the snake. Probably because he was off-his-face drunk. He grabbed the snake and started dancing around with it, trying to kiss it. The handler's were noticeably nervous.

Anyway, 3 out of 5.