All this month, we’ll be introducing 50 picks for some of the best family-friendly restaurants in Beijing. These reviews originally appeared in the January/February 2013 issue of beijingkids (see end of post).
Type of cuisine: European
English menu? Yes
General kid-friendliness of menu: The large and eclectic menu means ample choices for kids, with only a couple spicy options and easy modifications for things like pizza and burgers.
Best dishes for adults: Scallops and Chorizo (RMB 68), apple, walnut and brie salad (RMB 46, RMB 56), spaghetti arrabiata RMB 62
Kids’ menu? No
Best dishes for kids: Spaghetti bolognese (RMB 56), margherita pizza (RMB 58/69), cheese burger (RMB 72)
Kids’ play area? No
Play areas nearby: Ditan Park and Lama Temple
Kid-friendly staff? Yes, the staff is attentive and at least a couple of waiters on the staff speak excellent English.
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down bathroom with no changing table
Seating: Wooden cushioned lawn chairs in the sunroom area and high-backed chairs in the restaurant proper; highchairs available upon request
Price: RMB 350
Credit card accepted? Yes, Chinese and foreign (Visa only)
Parking? Try the main street by Yonghegong Qiao (free)
Must-order item: As the restaurant’s name would suggest, the wine selection is quite extensive and priced to a range of clientele.
In a nutshell: The Vineyard is a relaxed, European-style bistro divided into two sections: a quiet, canopied area with potted plants and a hint of sunlight; and a white-walled interior room with soft lighting and tables. The menu is eclectic, ranging from pizza and pasta to Indian curry and German schnitzel, ensuring that everyone gets what they want. A brunch menu is available on weekends.
Also try: The VineLeaf (a branch on 9 Jianguang Hutong), Enoterra, Modo
Photo by Sui and Judy Zhou