Beijing parks are great for a number of things: paddle boating, long strolls, early morning voyeurism of the elderly exercising. There’s more than only those, but unfortunately lounging about on the lawn is one that arises few and far between. So when I learned that Modo Urban Deli was launching a new picnic concept, I was both intrigued and a bit skeptical at the outset. By the end though, they’d thoroughly convinced me. This is why.

First: The weather. They’ve launched this at that perfect precipice just before the summer heat full sets in. Weekend afternoons are still bearable and lying about in the sun with a few pals, snacking and sipping on booze, is ideal.

Second: Convenience. All the Modo picnic packages (there are three) can be ordered only 15 minutes in advance of pick-up (by phone – 6415 7207 – or in person). Everything is packed in plastic to-go containers and small cardboard boxes with cutlery and napkins included. The cups to go along with our bottle of wine were missing, so make sure to double check you have everything before leaving. (As this was on the first weekend, my guess is that the staff was still getting used to assembling the whole package.)

Third: Dope food for a bargain. The three levels of picnic basket run from RMB 200-400. They are each sized for two people, but my picnic partner and I found it enough to share with two sweaty dudes who’d just come hungry off the football pitch. The packages are quite the deal if you price out everything. The food comes out to slightly cheaper than the sum of all items plus bottles of white, red or sparkling house wine can be added for RMB 90, which is a steal. Here’s the run-down of your options:

Urban Picnic Delights for Two (RMB 200)
Olive Tapenade & Crisp Bread
Caesar Salad w/ Chicken or Garden Salad w/ Tuna
Deli Sandwich or Scandinavian Sandwich
Bakes of the Day
The Modo Picnic Map of Beijing
Modo Urban Tote bag
with red, white or sparkling RMB 290

Urban Picnic Spread (RMB 300)
White Bean Hummus & Flat Bread
Chef’s Quiche of the Day
Quinoa Salad or Thai Noodle Salad
Sandwich of your choice
Bakes of the day
San Pellegrino water (still or sparkling)
The Modo Picnic Map of Beijing
Modo Urban Tote bag
with red, white or sparkling RMB 390

Urban Picnic Feast for Two (RMB 400)
Modo Urban Deli’s Cheese Board
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Mediterranean Salad or Smoked Salmon/Glazed Shrimp Salad
Lasagna
Sandwich of your choice
Bakes of the day
San Pellegrino Water (still or sparkling)
The Modo Picnic Map of Beijing
Modo Urban Tote bag
with with red, white or sparkling & wine cooler RMB 490

Four: Balanced structure vs choice. Modo has done an excellent job at finding a good middle ground between a structured menu and the option to personalize items. Each of the picnic packages gives a template for a combination of items you might get – a salad, a sandwich, a bake – but then within those categories allows for a choice between a couple options.

Five: The extras, picnic spot ideas and a tote. So I thought that there weren’t any spots to picnic in Beijing besides a handful of places, but Modo is proving me wrong. They’ve knocked together a list of 15 picnic spot locations – with the caveat that "not many places in Beijing allow a full-on, grass-based , blanket-unfolded, music-blasting picnic, so be part creative, part discrete." I like the touch of rebel in that. Lastly, you get one of their classy totes (choice from two) included in the package. I’d been wanting one for a while, so this seemed like the ideal opportunity. (Note: If you’re a repeat customer, bring your tote back for a RMB 20 discount)

I may have been a picnic-skeptic at the outset, but I ended up doing a test run one afternoon while watching some brutes run around and play the soccerball, and I will say this: we were the envy of the sidelines.

This post first appeared in thebeijinger.com on May 16, 2014.

Photos by Cat Nelson

Have you ever wanted to eat clouds? Let me tell you something: surprisingly, they are crunchy. You thought they were soft, gossamer whispers of a thing, didn’t you? This is not wholly untrue, but let’s be real about this – ice crystals have edges.

A pavlova – cloud-like as it is – has edges, too, though that angular chunk of meringue may be hidden under- neath a landslide of heavy whipped cream, a slick of passion fruit sauce, and season allowing, a stratum of passion fruit ice cream. Yet as rough-hewn as it may be, this sweet’s namesake is a ballerina, and for good reason. Like the crystals of a cloud, the crunch of meringue melts delicately once in the warm cavern of a mouth.

The pavlova (RMB 98) at Capital M could be served in any portion size, and it would vanish. But best to eat it in moderation … and with the support of seven other desserts. In Capital M’s dessert platter (RMB 128 per person, minimum two people), the signature pavlova rightfully claims top tier. But to ground this airy creation is a motley crew of other treats, stunning both alone and as an ensemble. With an octet, the probability is there: something will not be good.

But somehow, they’ve outdone themselves, and everything ranges from the very good to superb – a chocolate soufflé, eggy with the lightest of cocoa touches; an exceptional raspberry ice cream and coconut sorbet. Simple afternoon snacks of an earlier era are rediscovered, now matured, in Sandra’s Baked Bananas topped with cream cheese, walnut-crunch ice cream and a drizzle of dark rum and in an understated date and orange tart. A mille feuille with butterscotch and praline is classic and captivating.

I first learned what a fool was on the rocky coast of Maine at age 20. It was a raspberry one and excessive. Here in the city and seven years later, it is salted caramel – the golden brown sugar folded in silky whipped cream – and perfect.

Capital M
Mon-Fri 11am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-5pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street, Chongwen District (6702 2727)
崇文区前门步行街2号3层
200m south of Qianmen station (Line 2)

This article appeared in the Beijinger April 2014 issue and on thebeijinger.com on March 6, 2014.

the Beijinger‘s Eleventh Annual Reader Restaurant Awards Ceremony was held yesterday afternoon (March 17), it’s with great pleasure to announce what you voted as the top picks of the past year. We’ve compiled the comprehensive list of Best and Outstanding winners below. Take a look now for the quick overview, but head to the Beijinger blog over the coming weeks for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the awards. But before all of that, on with the results of the 2014 Reader Restaurant Awards …

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (NON-CHINESE, FINE DINING)
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Mosto
Capital M

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (NON-CHINESE, CASUAL DINING)
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Mercante
Annie’s Italian Restaurant

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (CHINESE CUISINE)
Da Dong Roast Duck
Outstanding
Duck de Chine
Transit

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (NON-CHINESE, FINE DINING)
Opera Bombana
Outstanding
Pinotage (Sanlitun)
Okra

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (NON-CHINESE, CASUAL DINING)
Moka Bros
Outstanding
Home Plate Bar-B-Que (Sanlitun)
O’Steak
Great Leap Brewpub

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (CHINESE CUISINE)
Jing Yaa Tang, The Opposite House
Outstanding
Diaoye Niunan
My Humble House (Parkview Green)
Big Bowl Small Plate

BEST AMERICAN
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Blue Frog
Great Leap Brewpub

BEST BEIJING DUCK (FINE DINING)
Da Dong Roast Duck
Outstanding
Duck de Chine
Made in China, Grand Hyatt

BEST BEIJING DUCK (CASUAL DINING)
Xiao Wang Fu
Outstanding
Jing Zun
Li Qun

BEST BREAD/BAKED GOODS
Kempi Deli
Outstanding
South German Bakery
Tavalin Bagels

BEST BRUNCH BUFFET
Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Outstanding
Feast (Food by EAST), EAST Hotel
The Sunday Zone, Kerry Hotel

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Mosto
Outstanding
Element Fresh
Hatsune

BEST CAFÉ
Moka Bros
Outstanding
Vineyard Cafe
The Rug

BEST CHEF
Daniel Urdaneta (Mosto, Modo Urban Deli, Moka Bros)
Outstanding
Dong Zhenxiang (Da Dong Roast Duck)
Marino D’Antonio (Opera Bombana)

BEST DELIVERY
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Outstanding
Gung Ho! Pizza
Pizza Plus

BEST DIM SUM
Crystal Jade
Outstanding
Lei Garden
Tang Palace

BEST FRENCH (FINE DINING)
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Brasserie Flo
Capital M

BEST FRENCH (CASUAL DINING)
Cafe de la Poste
Outstanding
O’Steak
La Taverne

BEST FOR IMPRESSING VISITORS
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Da Dong Roast Duck
Capital M

BEST ITALIAN (FINE DINING)
Opera Bombana
Outstanding
Tavola
Mio, Four Seasons Beijing

BEST ITALIAN (CASUAL DINING)
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Outstanding
La Pizza
Mercante

BEST JAPANESE
Hatsune
Outstanding
Yotsuba
Sake Manzo

BEST KOREAN
Iki
Outstanding
Bibigo
Saveurs de Coree

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING
Jin Din Xuan
Outstanding
Bellagio
The Den

BEST MALAYSIAN/SINGAPOREAN
Nyonya Kitchen
Outstanding
Cafe Sambal
Lau Pa Sak

BEST MEXICAN
Luga’s Villa
Outstanding
Cantina Agave
Q Mex

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN
Rumi
Outstanding
1001 Nights
Biteapitta

BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Capital M
Outstanding
Blue Frog
Dali Courtyard

BEST PERSONALITY
Ignace Lecleir (Temple Restaurant Beijing)
Outstanding
Seth Grossman (Home Plate Bar-B-Que)
Alex Molina (Mosto, Modo Urban Deli, Moka Bros)

BEST PIZZA
La Pizza
Outstanding
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Gung Ho! Pizza
The Tree

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION (FINE DINING)
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Mosto
Capital M

BEST PLACE FOR A CELEBRATION (CASUAL DINING)
Great Leap Brewpub
Outstanding
The Big Smoke Bistro
Home Plate Bar-B-Que

BEST FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Capital M
Brasserie Flo

BEST SALADS
Element Fresh
Outstanding
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Moka Bros

BEST SANDWICHES
Wagas
Outstanding
Element Fresh
Bocata

BEST SERVICE (NON-CHINESE CUISINE)
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Capital M
Brasserie Flo

BEST SERVICE (CHINESE CUISINE)
Da Dong Roast Duck
Outstanding
Din Tai Fung
Made in China, Grand Hyatt

BEST SICHUAN
Chuan Ban
Outstanding
Transit
Zhang Mama

BEST SOUTH ASIAN
Ganges
Taj Pavilion
Outstanding
Indian Kitchen

BEST SPANISH/TAPAS
Migas
Outstanding
Agua
Carmen

BEST STEAK (FINE DINING)
Mosto
Outstanding
Morton’s The Steakhouse
The Cut, Fairmont Beijing

BEST STEAK (CASUAL DINING)
O’Steak
Outstanding
Flamme
Union Bar and Grille

BEST THAI
Purple Haze
Outstanding
Lime Café
Serve the People

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY (FINE DINING)
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Mosto
Brasserie Flo

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY (CASUAL DINING)
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Great Leap Brewpub

BEST VEGETARIAN
Pure Lotus
Outstanding
Veggie Table
Lily’s Vegetarian Restaurant

BEST VIETNAMESE
Susu
Outstanding
Pho La La
Va Va Voom

BEST WESTERN BREAKFAST
Element Fresh
Outstanding
The Rug
Vineyard Cafe

BEST WINGS
Home Plate Bar-B-Que
Outstanding
Union Bar and Grille
Great Leap Brewpub

BEST WINE LIST
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Outstanding
Pinotage
Mosto

BEST YUNNAN
Middle 8th
Outstanding
Dali Courtyard
Lost Heaven

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

This post first appeared on the Beijinger on March 17, 2014 and has been slightly modified.

Photo courtesy of thebeijinger

After ten days of special deals for lunch and dinner at over 50 of the city’s top restaurants, China Restaurant Week wrapped up last weekend. Based on the number of bookings, anonymous guest feedback and a panel of experts, DiningCity has awarded eight of the participating restaurants in the categories below. And if you missed it the first time around or couldn’t get enough, look forward to another two weeks of it with the winning restaurants.

Best Restaurant – Group A
The Cut

Best Restaurant – Group B
Pinotage, Sanlitun Soho

The Most Popular
Alameda

Best Menu
One East

Best Service
Jing at The Peninsula Beijing

Best Hotel Restaurant
29 Grill at Conrad Hotel

Best Chinese Restaurant
Jing Yaa Tang

Best Newcomer
Opera Bombana

From March 24 through April 6, DiningCity will be extending Restaurant Week for these select restaurants. Priority booking for Citibank cardholders opens at 11am on March 18 with reservations for the general public starting the following day, March 19 from 11am. Visit the DiningCity website for bookings and more details.

This post first appeared in thebeijinger.com on March 15, 2014.

Photo by Cat Nelson

For all you math nerds out there: Happy (Belated)Pi Day! It’s 3.14, which means it’s time to commemorate that sexy, irrational mathematical constant of π. Even if you don’t geek out on numbers, there’s still reason to celebrate: a) who doesn’t love an obscure holiday? b) Two Guys and a Pie are offering free toppings for pie ordered. The deal runs all weekend (pi is infinite, isn’t it?) from today through Sunday’s close at 11pm.

In the mood for more pie? Here are a few more of our top picks for a slice around town.

Pantry’s Best
Their new storefront on the third floor of Ritan High Life serves a dope slice of apple pie (RMB 24) among an assortment of other rotating sweets.
Sun-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm. Unit 92-93, 3/F, Ritan High Life, 39 Shenglu Jie, Chaoyang District (4008-3-14159) 朝阳区神路街39号日坛上街3层92-93

Home Plate Bar-B-Que
For your Sanlitun or Northeast apple pie needs, look to Home Plate where a slice will run you RMB 40. Pro-tip: get a side of pulled pork and a rack of ribs while you’re there.
Sanyuanqiao: Daily 11am-10pm. 35 Xiaoyun Lu courtyard (from Dongsanhuan Beilu, head 20m north of Xiaoyun Lu intersection and take the first right), Chaoyang District (5128 5584) 朝阳区霄云路35号院（东三环北路,过霄云路路口,往北走20米,到第一个路口右转
Sanlitun: Daily 11am-midnight. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (4000 967 670) 朝阳区工体北路4号院

Frost
Chef Jeff Powell serves a mean slice of maple walnut pie (RMB 39), suffused with maple syrup and brown sugar. Also available at Back Alley Bistro.
Mon-Fri 7am-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am. 55 Xingfucun Zhonglu (in the alleyway across from April Gourmet), Chaoyang District (6417 5430) 朝阳区幸福村中路55

Stuff’d
The venue reimagined from The Vineleaf has kept its British roots with their steak and ale pie and their creamy chicken and mushroom pot pie, both RMB 78 each.
Wed-Mon 11.30am-2.45pm, 6-10pm. 9 Jianchang Hutong (close to Wudaoying Hutong), Dongcheng District (6407 6308) 东城区箭厂胡同9号（近五道营胡同）

This post appeared on thebeijinger on March 14 but was slightly modified from the original.

Photo courtesy Flickr user Dennis Wilkinson (djwtwo)

It’s that time of year once again — time for you to dish it out on the capital’s cuisine in our annual Reader Restaurant Awards. This is your opportunity to dust the cobwebs off your taste buds and tell us what you really think about the city’s dining scene.

It’s a simple enough process. You, dear readers, tell us what you think the best restaurants in the city are and we count up the votes. The restaurant with the most votes from those cast in each category is then declared the winner. That’s how we’ve done it for the last 11 years and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

To go straight to the ballot and cast your vote, click here.
To find out more about last year’s Reader Restaurant Awards, click here.

To learn more about this year’s awards, read on.

This year we’re also sticking with last year’s successful addition of “fine” and “casual” options in certain categories to best reflect the diversity that we’re now lucky enough to enjoy.

You may notice that we’ve streamlined the number of categories that you can vote on this time around but as ever, in a city that changes as fast as our smoggy metropolis, there are a few new additions to the ballot this year: 
 


Best Bread/Baked Goods

Best Malaysian/Singaporean

Best Delivery

Over 200 dining spots around town were named to the ballot by our specially convened panel of over 100 Beijing foodies.

Longtime Western favroites such as Mosto, Temple Restaurant Beijing and Capital M are back with multiple nominations, alongside popular Chinese eateries Da Dong, Haidilao and Dali Courtyard.

Nominated for the first time this year include newbies such as Opera Bombana, Moka Bros, Great Leap Brewing, O’Steak, Jing Yaa Tang and Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard.

So there you go, Beijingers. Get your mouse hand ready so you can get your vote counted and make sure that your favorite establishment gets the recognition it deserves. And if you haven’t tried some of these nominated restaurants, let the ballot serve as your "where to go" list for late winter/early spring dining in the ‘Jing.

If being cool for voting is not incentive enough, then you also stand a chance to win some terrific prizes. Get voting!

Ready to vote? Click here to go to the ballot.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger on February 12, 2014.

Photo: thebeijinger

‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin, and what better way to consume it than via pie? Hopefully Thursday’s Thanksgiving had you sorted on that front, but that should have just been the beginning. Two solid choices are offered on the same latitude in Sanlitun. Sweet Tooth Cafe (RMB 210 whole) and Two Guys and a Pie (RMB 60 per six mini-pies, RMB 85 whole, large) both have you covered. Call at least a day in advance to give the good people time to do their work. Pumpkin pies will be offered through the end of the year.

Christmas cheer is already percolating. We told you about the panettone from Opera Bombana, but looks like gelato-makers Vai Milano are joining the game. From December 1 through January 6, both the Solana and the Indigo stores will be offering three varieties of panettone, including:

• panettone ice cream (without topping) (RMB 42 per piece)
• panettone ice cream (with topping) (RMB 47 per piece)
• a classic panettone cake (RMB 130, 750g)

This post first appeared on the beijinger on November 29.

Photo: Vai Milano