Looking for your next date night restaurant or that special place to celebrate a family gathering? Morton’s The Steakhouse in Beijing has you covered. With customised decorations, an array of intimate to spacious VIP rooms, and dedication to using the best ingredients, Morton’s wants to be your go-to choice for enjoying good food in good company.

Located inside the Regent Beijing hotel on the second floor, you’ll instantly know Morton’s to be a place of class and taste when you step into the elegant atrium. The restaurant itself offers bold miminalistic decor in the style of The Great Gatsby. This year marks Morton’s 45th Anniversary and they want you to join their celebration by having your own celebrations at their restaurant. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or any other milestone, let the staff know ahead of time when you make the reservation and you can request customised touches like balloons, flowers and cards to decorate your table. If you want some privacy, you can also reserve one of their unique VIP rooms with no minimum spend!

When it comes to their menu, Morton’s spares no expense on acquiring their ingredients. That’s why they offer the juiciest and most delicious crab cakes, where you can actually bite into chunks of crab meat. They also have authentic cocktail sauce (instead of mayonnaise or some bizarre sauce concoction) to match. If you’re a fan of oysters, the ones at Morton’s were the largest and among the freshest we’ve tasted here in Beijing.

But let’s get down to the juicy stuff. After all, Morton’s is a steakhouse, so how does it live up to its name? Before we review the meat, let me share some knowledge I gleaned from an insider source at Morton’s. Did you know that you can ask to view the meat choices to choose which exact cut you’d prefer? That’s how much they want you to enjoy your meal at Morton’s. Also, if you and your partner like different cuts of meat (one leaner and one with more marbling), a T-Bone might be a good solution to that problem. It’s essentially two steaks in one (on either side of the bone) – a tenderloin (aka filet mignon) and a strip steak – so you can get the best of two worlds.

Don’t forget to ask your server to alert you when they’re about to cook your steak as you can go to the kitchen counter and watch the chef masterfully sear your steak to perfection. As a quick guide to ordering steak in China, the bigger the number the more cooked the steak. Rare corresponds to 3, Medium Rare 4, Medium 5, Medium Well 7 and Well Done is simply 全熟 (quán shú), which I would never recommend for a steak anyway. (I always go with Medium Rare 4.)

As for how the steak is at Morton’s? I believe a picture is worth a thousand words, though I will say three more – “mouthwatering,” “tender” and “juicy”.

Fun Fact: All Morton’s steak are doused with a touch of their homemade oxtail jus.

Soak in a little more ambience by enjoying a tipple at their refurbished ’70s-style bar before your actual meal, or stay for a nightcap after!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Morton’s

KEEP READING: Why the NEW Beyond Yakitori Is Perfect for Date Night

When I was visiting Harbin last month, I discovered that one of my favorite restaurants was copied! The concept, logo, and even some menu items were exactly that of Beyond Yakitori – one of my favorite places in Beijing to hit up for some low-key excellent Japanese food.

The Beyond Yakitori knockoff in Harbin

While they can COPY what they admire, they’ll never be as good as the real Beyond Yakitori.

Beyond Yakitori first opened up in Topwin Center in Sanlitun, where the small restaurant offered an excellent menu of yakitori and their famous Scotch egg, along with an extensive selection of sake. It was a casual dinner restaurant where you can hang out with friends, be loud, and get whiffs of the freshly grilled meats coming from the kitchen.

But they’ve upgraded! Beyond Yakitori has moved locations and their new place is fancier, much more exclusive, and has turned itself into a perfect date night restaurant.

The new place no longer broadcasts itself with big signs. Instead, their name is written so small that unless you know where you’re going, you’re likely to miss the entrance all together. And that’s by design. The new Beyond Yakitori exclusively seats fewer than 20 guests around an open kitchen, and believe me when I say that it’s not going to be easy getting a seat without a reservation.

From handwritten welcome cards to an attentive service that includes explaining each dish and even sharing stories and laughs with you, they’ve upgraded their concept to further immerse guests in their dining experience.

This new location is a great date night place for a number of reasons. First, you’re seated around the kitchen, so you get the entertainment of watching the chefs at work while you dine. Now I’m not saying assuming that anyone’s awkward with their partners the same way they might be on a first date, but sometimes, no matter how long you’ve been together, silences can still be awkward. Having a chef cook stuff in front of you somehow just takes that all away. Second, your food arrives one at a time and it’s like opening presents! Throughout the meal you’re constantly surprised with the next dish coming off the grill. And finally, you get to sit next to your partner! When given the option to sit across from or next to my husband, I always prefer to sit next to him, even if it’s just the two of us.

Now, let’s talk about the menu. The menu stayed similar, but they’ve added some beautiful new dishes. While you won’t find a single sushi roll on the menu, you’ll be pleasantly satisfied with the variety of grilled meats and fresh seafood items available.

Find it:
Beyond Yakitori·美醉堂
No. 1, Bungalow on the south side of Bldg 2, Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路新源西里中街2号楼南侧平房1号
Tel: 132 6938 9033

Images: Mina Yan

One of the things I’ve always admired about how the TRB Group conducts business is its fluidity. They’re quick to embrace new concepts and make changes to their original ideas to cater to what their customers want. I truly believe that’s part of the secret to their success all these years. That, and their delicious food and next-level service!

When they re-vamped their Hulu by TRB next to Western Academy of Beijing into a new Spanish concept, they went as far as asking the Beijing community at large for suggestions on the name, re-emphasizing the idea that the restaurant is a part of the community and everyone can contribute to it. Our editor Julie Wolf visited Iberico when it first opened, and she fell in love with everything it had to offer.

With its success, they’ve now opened another Iberico – this time much closer to town, for those who don’t live in Shunyi.

Located by the Liangma River, Iberico by TRB offers a tranquil and serene environment. As you
ascend the stairs to the second floor, the restaurant provides spacious and comfortable dining
hall seating, as well as exclusive private rooms. The blue walls and rounded arch windows depict
the changes of light and shadows throughout the day, providing a captivating view of the riverside
scenery. Large bullfighter paintings adorn the walls, combining elegance and warmth, showcasing the enchanting atmosphere that is sure to captivate your imagination.

At the heart of “Bringing joy to every diner’s table,” TRB founder and owner Ignace Leclair is thrilled to have Chef Luis from TRB Group on board. Chef Luis has extensive expertise in Spanish cuisine, with years of culinary experience at Black Pearl 2 Diamond Spanish Restaurant and Michelin 1-starred TRB Hospitality Group. He’s curated a distinguished menu with an extensive selection of classic Spanish dishes, from tapas, croquettes, and roasted suckling pig, to traditional paella and the renowned delicacy Iberico ham. Adding in the steak selection from Fork by TRB creates an alluring experience like no other.

Find it:
Iberico by TRB (Liangmahe)
53, Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 186 1287 9305

Images: Iberico by TRB

If you’ve only got a limited time to explore Beijing’s best restaurants, then a visit to Fork by TRB has got to be on your list. Fork is the latest addition to the TRB Hospitality Group, which also owns TRB locations Hulu and Peach – both of which are renowned for offering excellent food with a personalized touch.

The new Fork is no exception.

Now, I don’t know why I was expecting Fork to be similar to Hulu. That was definitely my mistake. Fork is unlike any of its sister restaurants. It’s unique, offering its own interpretation of global fusion that seeks to blend together highlights from different cultures.

There are dishes like the classic French escargot (RMB 98) and the Southeast Asian flavors of Tom Yum Kung seafood (RMB 158), as well as Fork’s own spin on the classic Beijing stinky tofu (RMB 78) made with Yunnan shiping tofu and blue cheese, and which tastes unlike anything you’ve ever experienced – the perfect blend of Asian and European flavors and one of our favorites from the meal.

Hidden away in Yangfang Hutong, by Houhai, Fork is behind the (also) new Peach by Hulu, where Pink Rabbit once was. For those who had a chance to visit Pink Rabbit before it closed, the interior of Peach by Hulu is still rather similar, but with a more elegant and refined feel to it instead of the previous party vibe. But the iconic pink rabbits on the rooftop remain, perfect for 2023, the Year of the Rabbit!

Before jetting off for Chinese New Year holiday, we hoped to find somewhere for a girls lunch away from the families and the kids. Fork was the perfect place.

“Good choice, this one is my favorite,” restaurant manager Kyle said for a surprising number of dishes we ordered. He’s passionate about the restaurant and proud of the excellent menu that they’ve created, and it shows in the way he talks about each dish and the pride he takes in presenting them. And there were multiple dishes that really helped elevate our lunch into a whole dining experience.

Wheeling out an entire leg of 48 months Iberico ham (RMB 298), Kyle took the time to explain how it’s aged and kept. And as each dish came out his eyes just kept lighting up like those of an excited kid eager to show off his cool new toys with friends. Even through his mask, you could see him smiling for ear to ear.

The razor clams (RMB 68) were some of the best I’ve ever had. This Asian-inspired dish is served cold and covered with a generous spoonful of Fork’s own XO sauce blend and garnished with spring onions. Don’t be fooled by the one-bite size of these razor clams. They pack such a strong flavor that it’s like an umami explosion in your mouth.

Making its way over from the TRB menu is gravlax (RMB 158). The in-house cured salmon has been a TRB signature since 2012. Covered with a thick layer of fennel, the salmon is wheeled out, plated tableside, and finished like a Jackson Pollock.

For seafood lovers, the salt-baked sea bass (RMB 428) is a must-try (and another one of Kyle’s favorites). It’s an incredibly fresh whole sea bass completely encrusted in a salt pastry crust (that you’re not suppose to eat, as Kyle stressed to us multiple times) and baked for about three hours. This preparation method infuses the flavors of the light seasoning into the fish while preserving its natural juices. And of course, watching Kyle unveil the fish at your table is like watching the foodie version of an unboxing video on YouTube.

Finally, finishing off our long lunch was a dessert that was both delicious and creative.

My toddler is learning about shapes right now and this would have blown her mind! The appropriately red Chinese New Year-looking dessert virtually took up our entire table, and we ended the meal on the most amusing (and tastiest) shape matching game I’ve ever played.

So what makes Fork so different from the other TRB restaurants? It’s got the same excellent fine dining experience as TRB Forbidden City, the secluded privacy that TRB Hutong offers, and the freedom to choose your entire menu the way you can at Hulu. In a way, this new baby in the family is a mix of the best aspects of its sister restaurants.

Pro tip:
Fork by TRB has an incredible value-for-money wine list. According to Kyle, if you can find their wines at another restaurant for a cheaper price, “Drinks are on me!” They’ve got this and other similar fun promotions for members.

To make a booking at Fork, add their reservation account on WeChat at trbreservation and be sure to ask to join their WeChat group to be among the first to find out about their latest promotions and deals.

Find it:
Vue Hotel Houhai Beijing, 9 Yangfang Hutong, Xicheng District
西城区羊房胡同9号花间堂后海酒店
Tel: 135 5295 8257

Got an alternative headline that you think would have been perfect for this article? Leave it in the comment section below.

Images: Mina Yan

It feels like there’s some kind of holiday celebrating romance and love every month in China. Be it May 20 (520), June 18 (618), Qixi, Valentine’s Day, White Valentine’s Day, and basically whatever excuse for a date night out plus major discounts with online shopping.

But historically speaking, Qixi is a bit different than the more recently made up days to celebrate love. Originally known as Qiqiao Festival in the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), Qixi Festival was actually a significant festival for young women, who prayed for skillful hands for sewing, so they would be prepared for marriage. Later, people related it to the tale of star-crossed lovers separated in the night sky by the Milky Way– Zhinu (the weaver girl), a fairy from heaven, and Niulang (a cowherd), an ordinary farm boy. (Visit here to learn more about the tale.)

Date nights are absolutely vital in keeping a long-term relationship alive and fun. Whether you’re into celebrating every holiday on the calendar, or just need an excuse for a date night out, here are our picks for this year’s Qixi celebrations.

Chinese Valentine’s Day at Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing

Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing is one of those hidden gems that’s sometimes overlooked by foodies. Their restaurant San offers a mix of Asian and Western cuisine. The taste is fantastic, portions are more than generous, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

For QiXi, they’ve got a dinner set for two for RMB799 that includes highlights from their brand new menu.

Starter-Smoked Pomfret Fish, Spicy Abalone, Melon, and Grapefruit Salad; Duck Liver Sauce with Caramel, Crisp Bread with Fennel
Soup-Oyster Soup with Mushroom
Main Course-Angus Beef Tenderloin with Pecan, Wasabi and Cheese Prawns, Fried Asparagus with Lily and Agaric
Rice and Noodles-Fried Noodles with Truffle and Hot Spring Egg
Dessert-Osmanthus Sesame Dumplings with Ice Wine, Mango Crisp

Holiday cake DIY
Exclusive cake in a ring box, with the names of you and your beloved one

Special discount for guestroom
Guests who dine on the night can enjoy a night stay in Habitat 40+ King at 40sqm for an additional RMB399

TRB Hutong and TRB Forbidden City

If you’re looking to splurge a bit on QiXi, TRB Hutong and TRB Forbidden City have both created unique 6-course menus just for the special night. For RMB1,588 or RMB 2,288, per person, spend an evening with your partner at one of Beijing’s most romantic restaurants that never fails to deliver an unforgettable memory.

Hulu by TRB

At all three Hulu locations across town, they’re getting into the QiXi celebrations as well. From Aug 1 – 7, they’ve got a limited-time-only set menu that’s inspired by the holiday available all day long. Whether it’s a night out with the love of your life or spending QiXi celebrating the love for your friends, it’s without a doubt, that Hulu is a fun place to go.

Images: Courtesy of restaurants, Pexels

As we have said before, date night is important. Especially with the potential for yet another round of online learning on the horizon, making time to reconnect with your partner away from the house and kids is vital. But it’s so easy to fall into a dating rut, doing the same thing over and over until it just stops feeling special and starts to feel like a chore.

But Beijing is full of easily accessible fun things to do. So this week I thought I would share my experience at WTF – aka Wine Tasting With Friends. The events are organized and hosted by the lovely local wine entrepreneur Jacqueline Sun 孙媛媛, along with partners from local restaurants, culminating in themed tastings paired with appetizers. This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend the South African tasting at LaPizza.

We were treated to nine different South African vintages ranging from sparkling to red and were given a short explanation of the history of each as we sipped and nibbled. In between each tasting, we had plenty of time to laugh and socialize and our hosts were not shy about refilling our glasses if we particularly enjoyed the previous sip.

In addition to the expected wine and food, there were lucky draw prizes, free shipping on featured bottles, and every attendee left with one of the award-winning wines to enjoy at home. Overall it was a wonderful break from the usual routine and a much-needed spirit lifter.

As I was leaving, Sun let me in on a little secret: Her next tasting is going to be really special. Emma Gao, the owner and winemaker of Silver Heights Winery, will be sponsoring (and possibly attending) the next event. Silver Heights is China’s most renowned winery, has won numerous awards, and former German Prime Minister Angela Merkel was such a fan that she requested it was served at the state dinner she attended when she was in Beijing.

The exact place and time have yet to be announced, but you can make sure you are the first to know when tickets are available by scanning Sun’s QR code and joining the wine group below. It’s a perfect excuse to break out and have a unique Beijing date night.

KEEP READING: Recommendations for 2022’s First Edition of Restaurant Week

Images: Jacqueline Sun

It’s been on the calendar just staring you down as it slowly creeps closer. One more thing to plan in your already hectic life. You have arranged for ayi to stay late that Saturday, the kids will order pizza and watch Netflix (which is what you actually want to be doing). The salon appointment is booked for the morning and now you just have to plan the actual date night.

Ok, we jokingly exaggerate. But according to Dr. Dianne Grande in an article for Psychology Today, this is a real issue for many couples. The cost and stress of planning and preparing for a night together in the midst of kids, chores, work, and school can feel like just another thing on your to-do list, which all too often gets ignored altogether. And that’s a shame because multiple studies published in everything from the New York Times to the Guardian have shown that married couples who go on semi-regular date nights have better communication, healthier romantic lives, less stress, and are significantly more likely to stay married than those who don’t.

But even if you do manage to eke out the time, it’s easy to fall into the same old routine at your normal restaurant or bar. Dr. Grande says “Usually, the challenge for long-term couples is to get out of the routine that they have fallen into and put in some effort to make their lives together more fun and joyful.”

Dr. Grande may have made the diagnosis, but we have the cure. Here is your prescription for shaking up date night. On Feb 25 and 26, Date Night China and Middle Kingdom Creatives is presenting a show they call One Night Stand. It’s a series of six short comedic plays all about the thing that brought you together in the first place…love!

I caught up with two of the beautiful minds behind the production – Nathan Williams, co-founder of Date China, and Ryan Usher co-founder of Middle Kingdom Creatives – for the inside scoop on what is sure to be a great event.

Tell me a little about the show. What can people expect?
RU: They can expect six short plays all centered on dating and love. They range from absolutely absurd and goofy to tender and poignant, with every shade in between.

NW: One Night Stand will be a hilarious look at the highs and lows of relationships and the whole rollercoaster of emotions we go through when we’re in love.

Ryan, you are not only helping to produce but you are directing as well. What have rehearsals been like so far?
RU: With so many plays rehearsing at the same time, finding rehearsal spaces has certainly been challenging. This has led to us hosting more than a few rehearsals in restaurants! We have turned quite a few heads with the insane stuff we rehearse and I’m sure plenty of locals have had stories to tell their family and friends about what the “crazy laowais” have gotten up to this time!

You both have regular day jobs. How did you get involved in the theatre scene in Beijing?
RU: I started writing/ hosting murder mystery events with a friend and through them met a few fellow creatives who went on to form Middle Kingdom Creatives with me. It is our production company from which we produce a litany of things including murder mysteries, plays, and our very own radio play!

NW: During Covid, my friends and I were tired of life being on hold, we wanted to put on a play but were too worried about social restrictions. Then we had the brilliant idea to start an audio comedy-drama about a detective in a dystopian world…For this show (One Night Stand) I have my foot in two camps, one for the acting community with Middle Kingdom Creatives and one in Date Night China, where we host events so people can make new relationships and find friendship and more – so this show seemed like a match made in heaven!

It can be really important for people to have hobbies and interests outside of their work and home lives, especially parents. How can people who have full-time jobs and family obligations but miss their acting days get involved in the theatre community here?
NW: After the success of Drunk Shakespeare in December, we really want to produce more shows and revive the community theatre company in Beijing. We have a WeChat group where we post details about auditions.

You both have fabulous girlfriends, tell me why this would be a great date night for the two of you?
RU: Due to the huge variety of relationships portrayed in the show there will certainly be something that resonates with anyone who goes on a date to see it! It certainly will serve as a great icebreaker to open up the pandora’s box we all have that contains bad dating stories!

NW: Theater is a great way to spend an evening, to see life portrayed on stage, and to have wonderfully talented actors channel a world of emotions can be extremely moving and exhilarating. The theater is the perfect conversation topic at a restaurant or bar afterward

One night Stand will take place Friday, Feb 25 and Saturday, Feb 26 at the SHANG Building so there are plenty of delicious dinner and post-show drink options right above the theatre space. It is sponsored by QMex and Catherine deFrance and the price of a ticket includes a free drink! Scan the QR code above for tickets and information.

Keep Reading: Free Kids Meals & Great Grown-Up Dishes at Amazing Thai

Images: Nathan Williams, Ryan Usher, Canva

You’ve got kids, you run the house, and you may also have a day job on top of all that. Plus, there’s play dates, school conferences, and you’ve got to make time for your friends too, so in the midst of such full schedules, when is there time to date the person you chose to start a family with? After all, don’t you see each other every night and share a bathroom? How much closer can we get than that?

But chances are, you probably know that being in the same room as your spouse can hardly mean quality time for your relationship. It takes a little more effort on both your parts, to keep cultivating your connection to each other to ensure you stay on the same page. That’s where the whole idea of Date Night with your spouse comes in.

Let me beat you to the punch before you protest by countering your point that as expats living overseas in a foreign city, we hardly have the luxury of in-laws, family, or neighbors as babysitters. It can even be challenging to find a trusted babysitter if you don’t have a regular ayi.

Here are a few solutions to help with that:

1. Organise a sleepover for the kids at their friends’ houses
2. Do a swap with family friends to see if they’ll watch your kids for one night, and you watch theirs in return!
3. Have your date during the day instead (Surprise them at work and bring them out for a walk outside on a beautiful afternoon)
4. As a final resort, you can also put together a simple date night at home after the kids are at school or asleep (just be sure you’re doing more than Netflix and chill, actually spend time talking or being with each other!)

Erin C, who has been married for a decade and has three daughters, squeezes time for a date with her husband Giuseppe at least once a month, which is “essential for sanity, marriage, and seeing the city from a different angle, literally” She elaborates, “I had no idea how different touring the Forbidden City would be without a stroller!”

She doesn’t put too much emphasis on planning these date nights, oftentimes just winging it without a reservation or advance notice. But she does stress that “It’s important both parents feel happy to be out that night. That’s why sometimes things can’t be planned in advance, and if there is a new baby involved, both need to be ready to [step away without being]stressed. But it’s also important for one partner to kind of nudge the other partner out the door sometimes, even just for a date walk (15 minutes) and then longer as you can.”

Their dates help Erin feel “Refreshed. Rekindled. Reconnected as something other than parents, which is ridiculously important.”

Some of Erin’s previous successful date nights include bowling at 东环保龄球馆 (Dōng huán bǎolíngqiú guǎn) and hanging out at their neighborhood jazz club. Whatever you choose to do, be present, keep devices to a minimum and try not to discuss any family logistical matters like groceries, or budgeting, or anything on your to-do lists.

Want to put the romance back in your relationship? We’ve put together some other non-dining Date Night Ideas –

Couples Spa 

There are so many spa places that offer a couples room, usually with advance booking. A personal recommendation if you’ve got the budget for it would be the Dragonfly at Kerry Center. You can do facials, body massages, and more! Or you can opt for a pair of masseuses to come to your place if you prefer to keep things intimate by using this home spa app.

Movies

Yes, there are international films in English (albeit with Chinese subtitles) at many of the bigger cinema chains. You can look up the nearest cinema to you and the films that are playing through the following steps on WeChat. The key here is to recognize the two words circled in the last photo 英语 which means the film is in English! Oh, and just for tonight, at Baby Boom Bar, they’re showing a triple feature of you guessed it, horror films.

Walking Tours

There’s no better way to get to know the city you live in than to walk around it and explore its nooks and crannies. Companies such as Beijing Postcards, Beijing By Foot, Our Beijing, The Hutong and many others regularly conduct walking tours of various historical sights in the capital. With Halloween coming up, you might even consider a Haunted Walking Tour with Bizarre Beijing, if you dare.

Arcades 

Remember Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja? Play them in person at VS Sports Park with their virtual reality games that pit you against your spouse, or get you to team up to work cooperatively. Check out editor Mina Yan’s blog and video of the place here.

KEEP READING: QiXi Love Stories: After 33 Days of Online Chatting and a First Date, the Rest is History

Images: Unsplash, Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush