LAN

The reviews for this place are so polarising, it's worth going just to make up our own mind. Despite the squeals of horror in some reviews, think "hate the decor dharling", I really liked LAN.

Yes, it's a bit whacky and weird, dramatic and large, and sure the art is loud, but that's why our group of 8 went there. We wanted to have some fun to celebrate a friends thirty-mumble birthday. So here's what we found on a Tuesday night in Beijing.

The service we had was great. I'd give the staff 5/5. Quick, courteous and not too intrusive. Being a Tuesday the place was only 1/3 busy, so the staff were not under pressure.

Food was also good. We had a Chinese set menu, and some of the dishes were amazing, some very good, none average or bad. All presented nicely and overall 4/5.

Alcohol is expensive, and oddly priced. We got a sharp deal on red wine (yay), but those drinking small bottles of local beer were robbed at 50 kuai a bottle - LAN needs to sort the drinks menu for sure 2.5/5 on that count.

Toilets - These are FAB FAB FAB - some will complain they are over the top (they are). But in a city of hutong squats, and restaurants with no toilets, save for having to slum it in the public dunny at the adjacent shopping mall, LAN is a revelation in the toilet department. 5/5

Overall experience, well we had a great one. And that's why you would probably go somewhere like LAN. If it's a steak dinner you are after, that's not LAN. If it's that once in a while go somewhere really different to escape the World - then LAN's your place.