Listen up. Terra is a lot better of a restaurant than you may think. At least in my case it’s a lot better than what I had heard. I’m not sure of what happened in the past but now the chef is on his game and turning out some very tasty plates at reasonably low prices. The only thing the restaurant lacks is crowd which seems to be either “turned up to 11” or all the way down to 0. Not sure why that is but if you’re skittish about the place I recommend you try the set lunch. You won’t be disappointed.

I've always enjoyed dining at Salt. However, having met with friends for drinks at Terra recently, I was outraged by the offensively rude 'service' by Gabby. The waitstaff were all busy and so I left our table to order a (mediocre tasting) cocktail at the bar. Gabby took my order and after instructing the bartender on my order, proceeded to stare blankly at me. After a pause due to my obvious confusion, she rubbed her fingers together (gesturing for money) and gave me a condescending look expecting payment. I paid for my drink, bewildered and angered, as she sternly told me that she'd have the drink delivered to our table. Shortly after, and still appalled, my friends and I ask for our bill (minus my one drink Gabbie rudely insisted on me paying for at the bar) and left.

Terra(rific)
I'm guessing by the mix of reviews this place might run hot and cold. We were happy the night our table of 8 arrived unscripted. Having caught the wrong bus for Sunlitun and found ourselves handily escaping said bus on Sunlitun South St, we dived into Beer Mania for some respite. Then rolled forth toward Sunliturn with ideas of landing up in on a terrace somewhere, prob Ele Fresh, Stumble Inn, or Blue Frog. You know what it's like trying to find somewhere that 8 people will like when everyone's already half cut...

Long story short, as we staggered past Terra, we decided why not give it a shot. We had heard good things, now here's a test. 8 fussy diners, and all drunk enough to call it like we see it.

Well Terra was up to the challenge (and I'm guessing talked of owner Gabby was on hand as the Laowai behind the bar). Staff were great, knew the menu, patient, and funny. So that was a relief. I liked the restaurant feel, and we settled in.

Good wine list, entrees arrived - we went for the 198 RMB two course set menu. I think we had 7 out of 8 nods of approval (dear wife liked hers, but had a bad scallop in the mix which was inedible rubber - so points off there).

Mains got 8 out of 8. Those who ordered steak looked very very happy, my lamb rack was also good. Presentation and flavours all right up to the mark. One vege in the group had rissoto and was also smiling. Only one in the group had the sweet tooth attack - so not really sure about the tail end of the menu.

Wines we enjoyed were an Aussie Pinot Noir at 218 RMB and a Sav Blanc I can't remember where from but was only 188. These are about the cheapest wines on the menu - but both were very good, esp the Pinot Noir.

Total bill per head was 298 per person wine included. Not cheap, but why would it be. A two course meal at a nice restaurant with wine at home will always start from 300 to 600 RMB, so Terra I think sits at the affordable end of the range. Terra(rific) I say...

This is your strategy? Really? Writing glowing reviews each time someone writes the truth about your restaurant does nothing to boost your reputation. Everyone knows Terra is located on top of a public bathroom. We’re not deaf nor are we blind. We saw your review here and on the other Beijing websites. Your botched cover-up aside, the real news is that nobody is talking about Terra. Nice try Terra.

The sabby -salt effect is missing. Whatever food ordered on my last 2 visits is an indication I can say its pricey for the taste.
I could go to Hilton or Mosto .The tastes of food is not so different and exclusive as advertised .
Sabby buck up.

Well, actually maybe you should hold it as the first thing to hit you, literally, is the awful smell of toilets. Bad luck? Maybe. Or maybe just bad choice of location - right next to a public loo!
Anyway, very very average lunch today and at rmb98 certainly not one of the best value in Sanlitun. My potatoe and gorgonzola soup was more like mash and it was cold. The other starter of seafood ceviche was ok - but not amazing. The main courses were gnocchi (bland bland bland) and sole the texture of rubber. Really disappointing. But the real shock came with the bill. The extra plate of gnocchi we ordered for our kids to share was charged at rmb88. Eeeerm... yes, that's just rmb10 less than the entire set lunch. Set lunch includes a glass of beer/wine/soft drink or tea/coffee so when the waitress asked which drink we wanted we said we'd have coffee after. Well, we were charged rmb38 each for ours because it wasn't "regular" coffee. The manageress just put the menu under our noses and wasn't interested when we mentioned it. Wish we'd had a drink and got coffee from Starbucks!
The cheese scones which have obviously been copied from Alameda were not cooked. And neither were the churros we had so been looking forward to. I've had better churros from Nanluoguxiang!
All in all a really disappointing experience, bad food, a dingy and smelly location and although they were kind to our kids it is mediocre service. We won't be going back and certainly won't be recommending it! There are many much better places to go to in Sanlitun.

Three Cheers!

I tell you, I wasn't expecting much, but the dinner was outstanding, and the service was perfect! Went there for a birthday party with a bunch of my Russian friends last week, and the food was spectacular. OK, the sauce on the tenderloin was slightly salty, but still tender (best I can recall having for ages), and delicious, and a real enjoyment to eat. Everything else was excellent, all first courses I tried were really delicious including the Peruvian soup, the marinated artichokes, empenada, shrimp ceviche... perfect. But the real success for me was the service, led by the expat manager Petra (spelling?). She was incredible, attentive to absolutely every detail, and never missed a beat. And all with a charming personality, which might be tough after awhile with an increasingly drunk and rowdy crowd! It is rare for me to dine in a Western establishment here in Beijing with such top service, and she really earned her stripes that night, and set the bar very high for everyone else to follow. Well done, and I do hope the owners recognize the great image and level of excellence she has given the restaurant!

Food, Service, Attitude... Top Notch!

Gabbie Alves and her team have once again hit the spot. Terra is a terrific little gem of a cevicheria (in Beijing at last at last!) with tasty dishes and creative drinks.I have seen this in New York,London and South America but never in Asia - horah.

I rocked up for Terra's late-night Happy Hour last night and was not disappointed. The staff as to be expected were kind and corteous and the western manager was very helpful.

I enjoyed a caparinya for less the 40 kuai and my friends had a bucket of overseas beers for I think around 100 kuai. We shared the ceviche and cauza tasting and were encourage to try the Leche de Tigre - it is three "shots" of ceviche juice with vodka. I have never had anything like it, yay for bringing me something new! They had a DJ playing and it was nice to be around a group of people who were enjoying delicious food and a cool ambience and what must have taken a mammoth effort to create.

After reading through online comments dissing this place, I am at a loss for words. I guess the sophistication level of people who think burgers are a gourmet food cant stomach good taste. Give me a break (sigh).

Anyone who doesnt like this place or thinks $10 is too much for good food, really shouldn't be reviewing restaurants. Wake up Beijing - this is 2010.

Decided to try Terra's new brunch yesterday that I saw online and I was more than pleasantly suprised.
They have completely transformed the venue into contemporary, modern and fresh restaurant with a glass exterior that let in some light but was private enough to not feel in a fishbowl.
What I loved was a champagne brunch on a Saturday, at last. They offered three options, five courses wih free flow Veuve Clicquot with Mojitos and Caparinhas (598), one with sparkling, beer, wine and the cocktails (398) and one with just the food (around 250 I think).

We opted for the middle one - 398rmb and it was just perfect as I like a bit of variety (read beer wine and cocktails) with my food. The food itself was really superb.

Five courses are included and I am told that the menu will change every other week. To begin with was a cold Orange and carrot soup which had a really nutty fresh taste to and a hint of ginger, we both really loved this, great texture and flavor. Next was a vegetable ceviche which was fresh and crisp and followed the soup really well. A nice Seafood Risotto followed and it was cooked perfectly al dente - hard to find in this city and was not too "cheesey" just nice and light. Then tenderloin which was what I expected after being a frequent SALT diner - juicy and full-flavored but the addition of banana on the rice and small beans made a really nice twist and lightened the overall feel of a five course meal.
The most delicious dessert ended the meal perfectly - churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce. Well, this was something I had not tried ever before and it is like a long doughnut covered in cinnamon, sugar and deliciousness that you then dip into warm dark chocolate. Needless to say, I did not need to eat dinner!
A really lovely brunch and experience at a new and much-needed in the area, Terra.

Well it wasn’t amazing, indeed original but not real. Maybe for the unknown taste of Asians and most Europeans the restaurant could be seen as a Cosmopolitan venue to taste a set of dishes that in Latin America are very well known from south Mexico to Argentina.

I order a octopus Ceviche, not that I cheer for Germany on the world cup final, It was funny to taste on every bite the boiled water use to cook it instead of the proper combination of Lemon juice and spices but its ok I can do it at home, I do have the time and space to leave it overnight in the fridge to acquire the proper taste... lets leave it there.

Next I got Chicken Empanadas, which look felt and taste more like a cheddar samusas than a proper oven made Empanada, which I grant you, take time to make but come on...! I can’t see the word empanada and not remember my grandmother coming home and putting everybody to help her cook them, for those who know how to make Santeñas you know what I am talking about... again lets leave it there.

And even when I did had a main dish some meat with tomatoes and a kind of soy sauce base, with the two previous dishes I got my picture about what Terra was all about, its sad cause it does not represent the Latin taste and care to prepare food.

Don’t get me wrong the food is eatable but it does not stand to the expectation of someone that does not get lost in translation. Knowing what you need to do to prepare this dishes I can tell you none of them are meant for fine dinning but at the same time I think they should not be advertised if they are not going to be made properly.

Good service, a little bit pricy but ok and nice environment.