Giggle Bar & Restaurant: Nothing To Laugh At

If you saw a flight of stairs that looked like piano keys, you might be startled into a small laugh. Which is appropriate, because if you walk up those stairs, you’ll find yourself inside a venue called Giggle Bar & Restaurant. Giggle occupies what used to be the Lezzis Bar & Restaurant space, so both logos and names are everywhere, but don't let that confusion frighten you away. You'll be greeted by plush white furniture and curvy white walls (which apparently turn different colors at night). Off to one side is a traditional bar set-up, while in the back, leaves and branches twist overhead to create a secluded forest.

I had to try the black pepper beef spaghetti because it was RMB 15 (on special from 11.30am to 2pm), discounted from the regular RMB 38. I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. It reminded me of a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant I once visited in San Francisco: overlooked, undervalued, and delicious. The menu includes pizza (9" at RMB 49, 12" at RMB 69), sandwiches (RMB 39), steak (RMB 98), and salad (RMB 28 upwards). The drink offerings include draft beer (RMB 35), bottles (RMB 28-46), soda (RMB 20), and milkshakes (RMB 32).

Since they had just opened, service was rather slow. I hoped the kitchen would managed to sort itself out quickly, because I couldn’t wait to Giggle again.

A few weeks later, I returned and ordered the Hawaiian-style pizza. I’ve never had shrimp on a Hawaiian before, but it was even better than the spaghetti. The 9-inch dish came with a choice of dipping sauce, and the Classic Italian was a wonderful complement. And yes, the service was much faster this time.

Giggles Bar & Restaurant. 2/F, Beixinqiao Fuda Plaza (across from Beixinqiao station, Exit A)，Dongcheng District (6409 3066) 东城区北新桥路富达广场2层(北新桥地铁A口正对面)

Photos: Mandy Melton