World Cup Food Fight: In food, if not football, all nations triumph

Of the 32 nations fielding men’s football teams at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this month, 18 are represented by restaurants in Beijing. Those football teams will eventually sort out a champion. But who cares? To find the true champion of the hearts of the people, sample what these nations have to offer your stomach.

Group A

South Africa - Pinotage
Serving fresh, delicious South African fare, Pinotage has come up with the perfect combination of beautiful location (large patio overlooking a lake, filled with lotuses in summer), good service and a long wine list. Try one of the many fresh salads, honey lime and chili prawns, the Cape Malay bobotie (a type of casserole made from meat and rice) or the KZN Bunny Chow curry, a South African specialty.
Lane Bridge Villa Compound (across from the clubhouse), 9 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6430 7010) 朝阳区朝阳区来广营东路９号

France - Brasserie Flo
Owned by the powerful Flo Group, and a Beijing institution. Faultless French classics include the onion soup, steak au poivre, and profiteroles. Fans hail the sun-soaked terrace, prompt service and classic fare like oysters imported from France and Alsatian choucroute.
Daily 11am-3pm, 5.30-11pm. Rainbow Plaza (Longbo Guangchang), 16 Dongsanhuan Beilu (south of the Great Wall Sheraton), Chaoyang District. (6595 5135/9) www.flo.cn 北京福楼餐厅, 朝阳区东三环北路16号隆博广场二层

Mexico - Casa Latina
This lively bar/restaurant features some of Beijing’s best Mexican food. For the price, the portions are on the small side, but the food is well presented and satisfying. A huge cocktail menu includes an entire section devoted to rum-heavy Latin cocktails.
Daily 6pm-2am. Bar Street, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6201) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区酒吧街

Group B

Argentina - Obelisco
Tall ceilings, slate floors and enormous, half-moon windows give this cavernous palace for the carnivorous a hip, sophisticated feel far different than a typical churascaria. Argentineans are known for their huge portions and Obelisco does not disappoint – try the imported rib eye or achuras kidney, sweetbreads, sausages or locro (a traditional stew made with beef, pork, pumpkin and corn). A wide selection of Argentinean wines, as well as flan with real dulce de leche on the side, are available.
Mon-Thu 11am-2pm and 5-10pm, Fri-Sun 11am-10pm. 1 Laiguangying Donglu (near Lane Bridge, look for the giant obelisk), Chaoyang District. (8470 1666) 阿根廷烤肉, 朝阳区来广营东路一号(机场高速北皋出口京顺路右边)

South Korea - Gaon Korean Restaurant
The first Chinese mainland outpost of this Seoul-based chain serves posh Korean cuisine in a sophisticated dining room of dark wood, marble and glass – with service and presentation to match. This, along with superior quality meat and fancy cooking techniques, make Gaon a notch above most Korean restaurants in Beijing, and this is reflected in its prices: main dishes RMB 200-400, lunch sets RMB 50-180/person, supper sets RMB 180-580/person.
Daily noon-2pm, 5.30-9.30pm. 5/F, East Tower, LG Twin Towers, 12B Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5120 8899, 5828 7099) 高恩，朝阳区建国门外大街乙12号双子座大厦东塔5层

Greece - Argo
Situated in a beautifully restored courtyard building. Try authentic sharing platters of baba ghanoush, tzatziki and hummus, huge moussaka portions and a large selection of grilled meats and fish, all cooked by a genuine Greek chef.
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 59 Wudaoying Hutong (100 meters west of Vineyard Café), Dongcheng District. (8403 9748) 东城区五道营胡同59号

Group C

England - Vineyard Cafe
This hutong cafe specializes in comfort food and comfy couches. Hearty English breakfasts are excellent weekend brunch fare. Good pizza and excellent beer selection.
Tue-Sun 11.30am-11.30pm. 31 Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius temple), Dongcheng District. (6402 7961) www.vineyardcafe.cn 葡萄院儿, 东城区五道营胡同31号

US - Chef Too
This American owned restaurant describes its style as “fine neighborhood dining.” Choose from salads, meaty mains (including burgers and reputable wood-fired Australian beef steaks), seafood and more. Sunday brunch, featuring eggs benedict, pancakes, French toast, huevos rancheros and more, RMB 68-98 is served until 3pm.
Tue-Fri 11am-2pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-3pm, Tue-Sat 5.30-10pm. Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu (north of Block 8), Chaoyang District. (6591 8676) 美西西餐厅, 朝阳区朝阳公园西路（八号公馆北）

Group D

Germany - Schindler’s Tankstelle
Schindler’s Ritan Park branch serves some of the most authentic German food in town - great sausages, grilled meat, oven roasted pork knuckle, fresh sauerkraut and more, as well as imported German beer (Wernesgruner on draft). Prices are moderate, and the Tankstelle’s airy outdoor terrace offers an idyllic view of Ritan Park.
Daily 10am-midnight. 15A Guanghua Lu (200m east of Ritan Park South Gate), Chaoyang District (8562 6439) 申德勒加油站,朝阳区光华路甲 15号(日坛南门往东200米)

Australia - The Astral Bar and Restaurant
G’day. Crocodile (RMB 188) and raw ostrich (RMB 108) available for dinner. Stocks 17 beers, including five Aussie brews. The bar is shaped like a boomerang, and you can eat kangaroo (RMB 258).
Daily 5pm-1am. B1/F, Tangla Hotel, 19 Fuxingmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District. (5857 6688 ext 6611) 悦筵, 西城区复兴门外大街19号唐拉雅秀酒店地下1层

Group E

Japan - Sake Manzo
Part sake bar, part restaurant, this Izakaya represents Japan proudly with its surefire combination of authenticity, intimate cool and extensive menu of both food and drinks. Delicious, fresh tofu is made on-site daily. The beer-marinated fried chicken with vinegar sauce is another treat, as are the gingko nuts, but you’ll want to order at least some sushi and sashimi, which you can watch being prepared before your eyes if you’re in the right seat. Try the sushi sets and your own preference of sashimi (and don’t sleep on their sublime soba noodles). Small pots of sake (they boast over 30 kinds) start from around RMB 60 – if you don’t want to spend so much, go for one of the ice-cold beers.
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-midnight. 27 Liangmaqiao Lu, Anjialou, Chaoyang District. (6436 1608) www.manzo-dining.com 慢走日本烧灼餐厅，朝阳区安家楼亮马桥路27号

Group F

Italy - L’Isola
The concept behind chef and owner Roberto Masili’s L’Isola is traditional Italian cuisine using herb-scented sauces and delicate dishes that are light on butter and cream without compromising flavor. Consistently good quality homemade pastas and desserts accompany traditional entrees like Sardinian- style fish. Wine is taken seriously: The extensive selection includes a range of small producers from Italy. Set lunch (RMB 78 for two courses, RMB 99 for three courses) available on weekdays. Saturday and Sunday Sardinian brunch is RMB 238 and RMB 358 with wine.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-11pm. 201, 2/F, Pacific Century Place, 2A Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6539 3773) www.lisolabeijing.com 益顺客, 朝阳区工体北路甲2号盈科中心2层201

New Zealand - Cafe Flatwhite
Both locations serve up a fine assortment of coffee (including macchiato, espresso, iced coffees and the signature “Flat White”), desserts (including homemade carrot cake) and some simple Western fare (panini, burgers, pastas, salads and sandwiches). Their Australian steak (RMB 148) and New Zealand mutton chop (RMB 138) are made with beef and mutton imported from Australia and New Zealand.
1) Daily 9am-9pm. 4 Dashanzi art district, Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6432 2798); 2) Daily 9am-10.30pm. Shop 365, 1/F, Silk Street Market, Chaoyang District. (5169 9156) www.caffelaffare.com.cn 仙英咖啡, 1) 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号大山子艺术区; 2) 朝阳区秀水大厦1层东侧商铺356号

Group G

Brazil - Brazilian Churrascos
Latin American diplomats meet up at this carnivore’s delight for charcoal-grilled chicken, beef or lamb piled high on metal skewers. Buffet table with unlimited salads and soups complements the meat feast.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm. Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou, 8 Beisihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (8498 2288 ext 6178) 巴西烤肉, 朝阳区北四环中路8号

North Korea – Haitanghua Pyongyang Cold Noodle Restaurant
Try authentic North Korean cuisine (similar to South Korean, just more expensive), and be treated to song and dance performances by the very attractive and talented waitresses paying homage to the Dear Leader (Kim Jung Il). Shows daily, 7pm.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm. 2/F Kuntai Shangchang, 12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (8561 2925) 海棠花平壤冷面馆，朝阳区朝阳区朝阳门外大街 12号昆泰商场2楼

Portugal – Camoes
The predominant blue hues of this restaurant are a visual reminder of its seafaring namesake. The food (including Grilled bacalhau and the commendable cataplana de mariscos) is true to the earthy flavors of Portugal – rich in olive oil and made from fresh ingredients, with an upscale touch. Nice selection of Portuguese wines. Now serving three-course business set lunches (includes coffee or tea) for RMB 108, plus 15% service charge.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm. Legendale Hotel, 90-92 Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng District. (8511 3388) http://www.legendalehotel.com/restaurants-L1-CamoesPortuguese.htm 贾梅士葡餐厅, 东城区金宝街90-92号励均酒店

Group H

Spain - Niajo
Specializing in traditional Valencian paella, this yellow-tiled Spanish restaurant impresses with good service, a sensible menu and plenty of wines by the glass. An assortment of tapas, cheeses, jamon and wine round out the offerings.
Daily 11am-3pm, 6-11pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6052) www.niajo.com 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园3层

Switzerland – Swissotel Cafe
A big selection of dessert to go with coffee. For lunch or dinner, both cheese fondue and Western-style buffet, seafood on weekends available. For cheese fondue, there are small cucumbers, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, onions and bread at RMB 208 per person.
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. (6553 2288) 东城区朝阳门北大街2号港澳中心瑞士酒店1楼