When it comes to dining out with the little ones, we love a place that has a wide variety of choices to choose from both for grown-ups and kids alike. Throw in some kid-friendly entertainment and a team that goes above and beyond for their guests, and we’ve got a family dining goldmine!
For most of us when we make dining plans at East Hotel it’s usually for their famous Feast (Food by East) brunch every Saturday and Sunday, but right outside of Feast is the pet-friendly open space all-day-dining area that caters to children of all ages with their Little Chefs Cooking Classes and cartoons all day long.
Restaurant Manager Maria Ma and her team make it their mission to provide excellent service and to know their regular guests on a personal level, making grabbing a meal at Domain like dining out at a friend’s.
Super mom Benita Sumita and her 7-year-old son Yohan Daniel celebrated the loss of his two front teeth at Domain with a table full of Yohan’s favorites (ranked in order from 1 – 5). From pizzas and burgers to freshly made cakes, one of our favorite things about Domain is that they’ve got something for everybody, regardless of what you’re in the mood for.
The Sliders
Domain has a huge Australian wagyu beef burger (RMB 148) that’s super popular with those looking for a quick work lunch, but they’ve also shrunk their famous recipe for their smaller guests. The wagyu sliders (RMB 98) are built like mini-beefy skyscrapers, with a thick juicy wagyu beef patty topped with fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese. Served with a side of thick-cut fries, and you’ve got yourself a hearty lunch combo. Although mini, these sliders are tall, and if your hands are still growing, you’ve got a lot of squishing to do before you can fit them in your mouth.
The Pasta-bilities
One of our all-time favorite comfort foods is pasta. A belly full of pasta makes for one happy kid. Domain’s pasta (RMB 80) is another example of how the restaurant will make what you like, just the way you like it. Have your choice of classic tomato, carbonara, fresh pesto, or our all-time favorite, bolognese prepared with your favorite type of pasta. Keep a stack of napkins on hand, because these saucy noodles tend to get messy.
The ZA!
Kids love pizza. That’s just a fact! Domain’s thin crust pizzas (RMB 78) are available all day long. Their toppings tend to cater towards a more mature palette with toppings that range from classic Napoletana to the more exotic Sichuan spicy sausage and dry aged beef. But when it comes to making pizza that the kids will love, Ma’s team is fast to make substitutions and changes to suit their smaller patrons.
The Fish ’n’ Chips
Their fish ’n’ chips (RMB 98) taste nothing like the frozen stuff (thank goodness) and also isn’t what you’d expect when you think of the classic pub food. Thick slices of sole fish are coated with a layer of crispy batter fried to golden perfection and served with a side of fries. These strips of fried sole fish are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a popular choice amongst kids and adults alike.
The Sugar Rush
When it comes to desserts the Domain cake counter is every kid’s dream. With six freshly-made cakes to choose from each day they’re never in short supply of something sweet. While we’ve always been partial to their thick, creamy cheesecakes, Yohan couldn’t resist the temptation of the mango crêpe cake (RMB 40): moist layers of crêpes layered with sweet slices of ripe mangoes. Perfect during the warm Beijing months, or whenever you’re in the mood for something light and sweet.
Domain
Daily, 7am – 8pm
2F East Hotel 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅酒店2楼(8414 9830)
This article appeared in the beijingkids October 2019 Family Foodies issue