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: Pizza
English menu? Yes
Kid-friendliness of the menu: Plenty of topping choices for pizzas, delicious sides, and a variety of pastas
Best dishes for adults: Chicken and camembert pizza with wine-soaked blackcurrants (RMB 84/119), smoked pork and mushroom pizza (RMB72/92), vegetable calzone (RMB 53) stuffed with spinach, sweet potato, pumpkin, pine nuts, mozzarella, and tomato sauce
Kids’ menu? No
Best dishes for kids: Pepperoni pizza (RMB 53/72), creamy pasta Bolognese (RMB 67, add chicken or seared tuna for RMB 10), gluten-free cheese bread balls (RMB 20)
Kids’ play area? No
Play areas nearby: Kids can play at the playground behind Gung-Ho!, which has slides, swings, and a jungle gym
Kid-friendly staff? Yes, all of them are super friendly, attentive, helpful, and speak English.
Bathroom: There are Western-style toilets and no changing table, but parents are welcome to use the office upstairs to change diapers.
Parking? Yes, but limited
Seating: There is a mix of booths, chairs and tables, and bar seats; highchairs available
Price: RMB 350
Credit card accepted? Yes
Must order item: The Carnivore pizza (RMB 84/119) is a solid, meaty pie with andouille sausage, Black Forest ham, and pepperoni.
In a nutshell: Gung Ho! takes a more gourmet approach to pizzas, with thin crust and some higher-brow toppings. Their crusts are made from organic whole wheat flour (though you can choose white flour if you desire). Those who aren’t pizza-inclined can choose from satisfying salads and tasty pastas. Their delivery service makes them an especially good choice when it’s a chore to get out.
Additional notes: Gung Ho!’s Pizza School is open for family get-togethers or birthday parties. Designed for six to eight kids, kids get to choose their own toppings for the pre-made dough and sauce. RMB 80/child. Tue-Thu and Sat, 2-5 pm (must be booked at least a week in advance). Lido location only.
Also try: Kro’s Nest, Hutong Pizza, Pizza by LMPlus
Photo by Gung Ho! and Sui