Ling Long, the modern Chinese restaurant (to vastly undersell the concept) in co-living space Stey in Bei Zhaolong Hotel, that melds dishes that are distinctly modern French with flavors are unmistakably Chinese, something that the kitchen calls “re-fine dining.” For example, pork belly here perfectly evokes the flavors of traditional Dongbei-style pork and sauerkraut hot pot but is also worlds away from its usual rustic presentation, substituting melt-in-the-mouth slices of sous vide Spanish pork belly and a crystal clear consommé infused with pickled cabbage.
Another dish is a play on yu sheng (or yee sang), a Cantonese-style raw fish salad usually served for Chinese New Year. In Ling Long's version, slices of snapper carpaccio are topped with dried daikon, shallot, chili, herbs, and caviar.
While the food is superb, the restaurant itself is a little unconventional. A florist/modern bonsai shop by day, once it’s converted for dining at night it still feels more like a temporary event space than an actual restaurant (although we did appreciate the petal-shaped tables arranged around a central floral display, a nod to its daytime use). There is a certain minimalist appeal, which at least has the benefit of putting all the focus on the food, which is where it should be.
Open only for dinner, the restaurant serves five-course (RMB 500), six-course (RMB 700), and seven-course menus (RMB 900), with the option to add a wine pairing to each.
Location
No event here now.