Looking for family-friendly restaurants and fun, non-touristy places around China to visit? Tired of getting cat-fished by stunning faked photos and reviews? Then it’s time for you to follow the jingkids International account on Dianping – China’s version of Yelp/Tripadvisor and a must-have app for getting the most out of your stay in the country. It’s where you’ll find our honest, no-holds-barred English reviews of all the hidden gems around Beijing and beyond.

Over the weekend, my family enjoyed a leisurely Saturday by watching the latest instalment in the Planet of the Apes film franchise – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – at Joy City Chaoyang. After that, we were headed over to our usual haunt for tasty Mexican food at Moji (full review on Dianping) when we came across a relatively new place – Sushi Atatakai. The chance discovery turned into what is probably our favorite Japanese casual in-mall dining experience in our time in Beijing in five years! Read our full review with pictures and videos on Dianping below.

Earlier this year for a rare date night occasion, my husband and I were treated to an incredibly romantic time by the good people who manage Fukumimi and Beyond Yakitori. Unlike the previous two Japanese-themed restaurants, La Copa is – you guessed it – based on Spanish cuisine. We had a wonderful time in the intimate reservations-only restaurant with attentive service, strong drinks and tasty tapas. Read the full review on our Dianping account.

With Mother’s Day just past, I was reminded of one of my favorite “li’l bit fancy” brunches at The Orchard out in the neighbour that’s right on the cusp of Chaoyang/Shunyi. It’s the perfect place for little ones who will enjoy the breezy walk around the pretty orchard after eating their fill at the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. The full review is available here.

If you’re seeking more ways to enjoy the wonderful weather outdoors, look no further than Shenglu Vineyard. This beautiful campground/outdoor playground is possibly my favorite place in all of Beijing to bring my whole family (fur kid included) for a day of lazing around soaking up the sun.

Choose to rent their glamping tents, bring your own to set up at their grounds (RMB 100), or, as I’ve recently discovered, just bring camping chairs to avoid the campground fee altogether! They’ve got food trucks offering all sorts of goodies, from one of the best fresh fruit yogurt bowls I’ve had in the city to BBQ chuan’r and, most recently, Schindler’s sausages and frankfurters! With the warming weather, you might also enjoy a little splash about on the Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP), which cost RMB 240 for an hour and are open to kids and adults alike. Read the full review and watch our video by scanning the QR code below!

KEEP READING: Sweet & Sour Pork, Served Cold on Ice? Yes Please!

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Last year, I discovered a local company that specializes in bringing international kids’ performances to China – 小不点大视界 (xiǎo bù diǎn dà shì jiè) – which I wrote about here. At that time, we had bought tickets to catch a musical performance titled “Anatomy of the Piano,” which was later cancelled due to Covid. However, things are different now, and I’m thrilled to share my experience of our first performance with the company which goes by the English name A.S.K – The Art Space for Kids.

The performance – titled “Plock!” – is described as “a visual circus-sound theatre that appeals to all the senses. With buzzing cans, dancing paint, coloured sounds, and an acrobatic painter. A performance for everyone who likes to colour outside the lines every now and then.”

As a heads up, I should say that when I mentioned that I was going to catch this performance to a fellow mom, she said, “Oh that’s too messy for me.” I didn’t think too much of her comment at the time, but in hindsight, I see how I should have realized what that meant.

The second clue I missed was the text message I received on the day of the performance, which instructed us to arrive an hour before the slated time in order to store our belongings and to put on raincoats. Raincoats – suddenly it dawned on me that we were most likely going to get painted on, or splashed with paint.

As we queued up to get into the performance space, a staff member briefed us on what would happen inside – the children would sit up front and parents would take up the benches in the back. We had already donned head to toe rain gear, including pants and shoe covers, so I felt safe even though I had quite foolishly worn fabric boots that day.

The performance was 45 minutes of physical spectacle and messy painting fun! It took a while for everyone to warm up, but 20 minutes into the show peals of kids’ laughter and loud giggles could be heard echoing through the room as performer Annie twirled and spun around while spraying bits of paint everywhere.

Annie went above and beyond to be inclusive, even using a few Chinese words that she had picked up from living in the country previously, and also calling on a volunteer to help her paint. You have been warned – you will get messy! But not to worry, as it’s water-soluble paint which was easily washed off my kid’s face and hands.

After the show, you also get a little goody bag with a set of paints and pippettes to let kids create their own “messy artwork”. The staff there will add you to a WeChat group to share a tutorial to guide you, as well as share professional photos from the show.

PRO TIP: When storing your bag and valuables, the staff will ask if you have food and drinks inside the bag. If you say you do, they won’t allow you to store your bag at their counter so you will have to put it on the shelf outside the theatre.

小不点大视界 (xiǎo bù diǎn dà shì jiè) has an entire 16-month lineup of overseas performances for young audiences for 2023, and you can see all the details on their WeChat mini program. As with the previous article I wrote, if you plan ahead and find that your kid is interested in at least four upcoming performances, you might consider getting the 8-ticket package, which will lower the rather hefty price tag of RMB 320 per person to just RMB 280 instead.

PRO TIP: There are a number of good food choices such as Subway and a sushi place right outside the theater, but with little seating room in those places, you’ll most likely end up going to LINES restaurant, whose humble ground floor exterior hides a much more luxurious second floor. Plus, it has pretty good salmon and fresh juices! Watch the price tag though.

“Plock!” will play until the end of February, so you still have this weekend to catch it before the next new performance will come in. Shows are at 730pm on Friday, and 1030am and 230pm on the weekend. The company rates it suitable for ages 3 and up, and my almost 8-year-old enjoyed himself too. Get your tickets easily through their mini program on WeChat.

KEEP READING:  Beijing-Only Shows and Performances To Catch While You Can

Images: 小不点大视界 (xiǎo bù diǎn dà shì jiè), Vivienne Tseng-Rush

In another life, I’m a notorious over tipper. Even — or especially — when I had little money of my own to spare, I always added whatever I could to the tip jar, automatically calculating 25% for restaurant or delivery service, minimum. It likely comes from all my years of working for tips myself and knowing how hard a customer-facing position can be, especially in a world where “the customer is always right.”

Moving to a country where you don’t tip out of respect was a hard transition, so I channeled my energies towards the reviews or ratings at the end of a DiDi ride. It seemed like a no brainer way to show my appreciation and took just a few seconds.

I never think of rating my package delivery services, however. I certainly never dug back into an order once I had received it just to praise a delivery person for a job done well. I also rarely complained unless I didn’t get a package at all. After reading this article on npr about how overburdened and harshly punished delivery workers are in China, however, that will change.

According to the article, “Good customer reviews earn delivery workers virtual points in the app, which serve as a buffer against deductions. In the case of a late package or a three-out-of-five-star review, the app will knock off points. Too few points, and a worker gets fined….If Wang fails to garner at least one five-star review a month, he gets slapped with an $8 pay deduction. If someone complains by email, Wang is fined about $300, nearly a week’s wages. Lesser offenses can carry fines of about $30 to $80.”

Now I feel bad about a time last year when I ordered two small coatracks and neither one arrived. The delivery person said he only had one, and he offered to pay for the one he delivered to the wrong address, almost RMB 250. After reading that article, now I understand that it is possible only one was in his care, where it sounded like a weird trick at the time. Although I didn’t allow him to pay for the mistake, as it seemed like too much for one person to fix out of their own wages, I hope my messages to customer service didn’t cause him more trouble.

I usually don’t like to patronize companies who use such punitive measures, and that sentiment was echoed in one or two WeChat groups where I shared this article. It’s not always that simple, however, since ceasing to use delivery services ultimately only harms the very delivery people we want to help. Without more orders to deliver, they’ll likely lose their jobs, or get wages cut even more.

There’s no way to know what happens on the other side of a delivery, and I’ve never actively tried to get someone in trouble. But I’ve never gone out of my way to write a nice review either. I tend towards Baopals and PandaBoo, but friends use Taobao and showed me where to leave a rating:

I even returned to a recent order and reviewed it, for good measure.

This wasn’t just to make myself feel better, or so I could tout my virtue in this article. I know how difficult it is for me to get everything together, get the kids to school and myself to work, and that’s with a very family-flexible office a mere ten minutes away. I could walk there if necessary. The holidays are coming…who am I kidding? They’re here! And that means more deliveries, more traffic, more people upset, and probably more chances for screw-ups than normal. If there’s one thing I can do on a micro level that might mean a lot more to my receiver, it’s to take 30 seconds to rate and write a review for a job well done.

We have been talking a lot about gratitude and kindness around the beijngkids office lately, as it’s the theme of our next magazine. Let’s just remember that in this case, a job well done is merely a package delivered; where we might normally tip the minimum, we must type the minimum. Be thankful, be kind, and for goodness sake, leave a five-star review!

KEEP READING: How to Use WeChat Subscriptions For All Your Beijing Family News

Photos: Cindy Marie Jenkins, Public Domain Pictures

Balmain Gourmet is an increasingly popular choice for diners in the Shunyi area. As well as catering to the palates of foodies craving a gourmet burger or hot dog, they also offer great options for children of all ages. We decided to put that claim to the test by taking our young food critics there for dinner.

Brynn Comes (age 7) and her younger brother Alden Comes (6) both attend the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB). They were accompanied to Balmain Gourmet by their mom, Michelle. Michelle and Justin Comes moved to Beijing from New Jersey in August 2012. They are really enjoying their first expat assignment and they especially love the travels that it allows them. Thanks to all that travelling, both kids have fairly adventurous palates, and are always open to trying different cuisines. They particularly enjoy tasting local fruits wherever they visit.

Brynn’s favorite dish is Sweet & Sour Pork and she is also quite fond of Mexican food. She thought the variety of burgers on the menu looked interesting and ordered the Cheese Burger (RMB 80) for herself. Alden, who enjoys hot dogs and burgers, could not resist ordering one of Balmain’s Red Cheddar Dogs (RMB 60), loaded with cheese. Both orders came with a side of fries and half a passion fruit, much to the delight of the kids who giggled while trying it. Michelle ordered a Grilled Cheese with Tomatoes (RMB 35) for herself. The kids also decided to share a Strawberry Milk Shake with marshmallows on the top (RMB 40) for dessert.

Biting into his Red Cheddar Dog, Alden gave me an enthusiastic ‘thumbs up’. When I enquired if it was as good as he had imagined, he responded with a matter-of-fact “better”, and that was all I got out of him till he finished dinner. Brynn took a bite of her burger and gave her approval too. When Michelle’s order of Grilled Cheese with Tomatoes arrived, everybody ooh’d and ahh’d at how appetizing it looked. Michelle took a bite and pronounced it delicious, with just the right amount of cheese and a dash of salt & pepper. The flavors, she said, were a perfect balance of good bread and lots of cheese, ideal comfort food that just hit the spot. Both brother and sister jumped at the opportunity to try it. Brynn savored her bite for a few seconds and then said she was going to order that next time.

It was time for dessert and the children gleefully grabbed their milk shakes and proceeded to suck up the marshmallows through the large straw, before drinking it all up. There is something old-world and charming about kids enjoying a classic shake, predictably with big smiles on their faces!

The portions were generous, and the children thought it would be a good idea to take their leftovers back for Dad to try when he got home from work. Balmain Gourmet’s predominantly meat-based menu has hotdogs, burgers, sandwiches, fries, and salads aplenty. They also have a few options for vegetarians. Some of their specialties include Beef Chili Dog (RMB 80), Eggs Benedict (RMB 80), Kimchi Dog (RMB 80), and Aussie Burger (RMB 140). Their bread, which they source from L’Atelier JMT in Shunyi, pairs exquisitely with their meats. Incorporating subtle twists into their regular fare, such as kimchi in a Korean Dog or grilled pineapple in the Aussie Burger, they’re managing to cater to a culturally diverse customer base in Shunyi.

Delectable food and a laid-back atmosphere, with outside seating options on a clear day, make it a perfect hangout option for families. Our Dining Out critics, Brynn and Alden gave Balmain Gourmet a five star rating. They said they’ll be back for more, preferably with Dad too next time!

Family-friendly facts:
The restaurant is small and cozy, with WiFi. It offers outside seating in summer months. It has filters so you don’t need to stress about the air quality, and its own private restroom. They’ve also started to carry an organic range of pork sausages, for the health conscious. The owner Drew’s pet, an adorable brown Labrador Retriever named Coco, never ceases to delight little ones. Brynn and Alden were no exceptions.

Balmain Gourmet Meat & Grill
Tue-Sun, 9am-9pm. South Gate of Yosemite A, YuYang Road, Shunyi District (18600039708, balmaingourmet@vip.163.com) 顺义优山美地A区南门向东100米宝美热狗店

This article originally appeared on page 20-21 of the 2016 June-July Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos by Dave’s Studio

Exposure to a language is key to comprehension, and in most cases, the earlier the better. Working with Chinese doesn’t always have to be as draining as a thick textbook on a long afternoon. In fact, something as simple as swapping out the family movie night choice from Frozen for the millionth time (Let it go, kids) to a Chinese pick can be enough to get those language juices flowing. Here are some of our recommendations.

For the little ones:

Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Featuring the comedic stylings of Jack Black, Kung Fu Panda looks at the exploits of Po the panda as he follows his martial arts dream. Though this feel-good comedy could go a little deeper, it does successfully highlight various elements of Chinese culture such as fireworks, noodle dishes, and kung fu. Find a version dubbed in Mandarin with English subtitles for added difficulty.
Language: English
Rating: PG

Mulan (1998)
I’m sure you saw this one coming. Based on a traditional Chinese legend, this animated Disney film is set in the Han Dynasty, and sees our heroine Mulan disguise herself as a man to defeat the Huns. Cultural references include the shrine to the family’s ancestors, the style of dress, and the traditional gender roles commonplace in ancient China.
Language: English
Rating: G

The Karate Kid (2010)
This remake of the classic film focuses on Chinese kung fu rather than the Japanese karate of the original, and stars Chinese global superstar Jackie Chan as the kung fu teacher. It highlights the traditional practice of medicinal cupping, and uses famous sites including The Forbidden City, The Great Wall, and the Wudang Mountains.
Language: English
Rating: PG

Older audiences:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 卧虎藏龙 (2000)
Directed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi), Crouching Tiger became an international success, and continues to be one of the most famous films to come out of China worldwide. Set in the Qing Dynasty, this film combines drama, martial arts-fuelled action scenes, and some romance for the softies among us. It took away four Academy Awards in 2001, including Best Foreign Language Film.
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG-13

Together/Together With You 和你在一起 (2002)
This heart-warming tale follows a 13-year old violin prodigy and his father as they move to Beijing from a small town to achieve the father’s dream that his son will become a famous violinist. This warm, family-friendly film gained success overseas as well as domestically, and highlights various elements of contemporary Chinese society, in particular, the phenomenon of moving to the city to chase success.
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG

The Taking of Tiger Mountain 智取威虎山 （2014）
One of the more recent box office hits, this film focuses on the People’s Liberation Army and their conflict with a bandit gang, set during the Chinese Communist Revolution. Available in 3D, this heavily action-packed smash is sure to entertain all thrill-seekers, young and old.
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG-13

Hero 英雄 (2002)
Directed by Zhang Yimou (Beijing Olympic ceremonies, To Live), Hero is set during China’s Warring States period, and follows a man called ‘nameless’, who takes on several assassins as they attempt to take the life of a powerful leader. Rich in color and content, this film received acclaim overseas, and is a helpful insight into China’s past.
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG-13

Last Train Home 归途列车 （2009）
This documentary focuses on Chinese migrant workers from rural areas who travel to large cities to work. Over 130 million Chinese migrant workers travel back to their home villages for Chunjie every year; the largest human migration phenomenon in the world.  Director Lixin Fan follows the Zhangs – a couple who have left their newborn daughter in their hometown to find work in Guangzhou, over the span of several years. Last Train Home is a heart-tugging insight into one of China’s most relevant social occurrences.
Language: Mandarin
Rating: PG

Photos: Courtesy of pixabay, Kung Fu Panda, Mulan, The Karate Kid, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Together, The Taking of Tiger Mountain, Hero, and Last Train Home.

From 1950 to today, many films are produced to show the flaws and injustices of our society and the impossible ways other people have managed to conquer. These are examples that will teach us important life lessons and guide us in the near future. This list contains movies that aren’t suitable for younger audiences. Enjoy!  More after the jump.

 Unbroken
Plot/ Description: As a child, Louis Zamperini was a trouble maker but also a remarkable runner. With the influence of his brother, Pete, he began his running career. He competed at Hitler’s Berlin Olympics and later joined the US army. Unfortunately, his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a rescue mission and he, along with his crew member, survived in a life raft. They drifted for 47 days (2,000miles) into the Japanese territory. They were captured and sent to prison camps. After they found out that he was an Olympian, they tortured him and made him work in mines for years up to the end of the war.
Rated: PG-13
Pros: An exciting and nerve-wracking film. It captures Louis’s determination with a clear distinctive message.
Cons: It’s leaving out some of the inside thoughts of the characters and when there’re too many characters moving in and out it gets kind of confusing.
Lessons/Take away: Always have hope, strength, and perseverance. It gives another view of the war and it also teaches kids on WWII.

127 Hours
Plot/ Description: This is based on an outdoorsman, Aron Ralston. Ralston always believed that he doesn’t need anybody and that he can do everything on his own, but nature proved him wrong. When Ralston was hiking through a slot Canyon, a boulder fell on his right hand and he was stuck there for 127 hours with approximately 350ml of water and two burritos. He didn’t tell anyone that he was going hiking and therefore no one came to rescue him.
Rated: R (18+)
Pros: The graphics are beautiful. It’s realistic especially with the video he made when thinking that he was gonna die. It’s a mystical and marvelous film.
Cons: The amputation moment might unpleasant for some people.
Lesson/Take away: For introverts, a necessary safety precaution is to notify a friend, colleague, or family members on their whereabouts especially when going outdoors. This film teaches us that we all need someone in our lives.

The Diary of Anne Frank (1950)
Plot/ Description: This is about a Dutch Jewish girl, Anne Frank, and her family. The story takes place during the holocaust, when all Jews were identified as inferior and were sent to concentration camps where they’re persecuted. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, was a lieutenant in the German army during WWI and he arranged a hiding place for his family. But eventually they were betrayed by an anonymous informant and the Frank family along with their friends hiding with them was sent to concentration camps. Otto Frank became the sole survivor of his family and his friends that hid with him during that period of time. This is based on a novel of the same title.
Rated: Parental Guidance
Pros: It’s emotional and very raw. It depicts the real life of Jews during the holocaust; their fears for their lives and for their loved ones.
Cons: The scenes of the camp can give people nightmares and generate negative feelings.
Lessons/Take away: Life is way too short, so live your life to the fullest every day.

To Kill a Mockingbird
Plot/ Description: Based on the Pulitzer wining book by Harper Lee. Through the view of a little girl names Scout Finch, we see racism and inequality between the citizens of the fictional town of Macomb in Alabama. From Boo Radley to the unfair trial of Tom Robinson, Scout’s perception changes her views and ways of seeing things.
Rated: Not suitable for young children
Pros: Great capture of racism.
Cons: It’s black and white.
Lessons/Take away: Everyone should be equal.

The Sound of Music
Plot/ Description: This is an all time classic. The protagonist, Maria, tries to become a nun, but fails miserably. The Navy captain, George Von Trapp, hires Maria as a governess for his seven children. Maria brings happiness to the strict, lifeless home and music as well. Maria and the captain then find themselves in love and they struggle through many conflicts before finally being together.
Rated: G
Pros: It’s a wonderful musical and very joyful.
Cons: It is a 3 hours long movie, about twice the length of a regular movie. The songs will keep playing in a loop for days after watching.
Lessons/Take away: Kindness does have its rewards and share your happiness. The various story lines about coming of age show how to work through those times.

Amari Zhang is, our July Intern, from San Fransisco, California and here to visit friends and family. She loves to doodle, shop with friends, play tennis, and travel.

Photos: Movieguide.org, moviepostershop.com, listal.com, & ramascreen.com

We have not looked at a storybook app for sometime. So, this blog is a review of Even Monsters Are Shy, a book with an engaging storyline that a great addition to the bedtime app collection. The story is set in a town where monsters are pets and one little boy, Ben, finds his monster is unlike the others as he is shy. This app was developed by Busy Bee Studios (VPN needed). This app was featured by Apple in the “Best New Apps” and won the silver award winner from Parents’ Choice.

Features
The app has two narration options; Read to Me or Read Myself and sounds effects that will have the little ones enjoy as it accompanies the narration. It is easy to use with simple arrows at the bottom of each page, this makes navigating pages less of a hustle for younger children. The graphics in this app are cute but also the illustrations are interactive as they only need a simple tap to make them come alive, making this app captivating for children. There are activities such as a few games within the story to make the reading more fun.

The story brings with it some level of learning as it focus on reading, phonics as children using the Read to Me function but most of all this story promotes the love of reading.

There aren’t social media links or in-app purchases that come with this app. There is an information button but it’s protected.

Drawback
There isn’t a word highlighting function that would make this more educational focus.

Ages: 3+

Category: Book

Platform: iPad only

Language: English 

Price: USD 1.99

Photos: iTunes

For someone who spends a lot of time in coffee shops, my knowledge of coffee is surprisingly dire and my inaptitude shows, with many a barista inquiring in hushed tones whether what I actually wanted was a latte not in fact a xiaobei (espresso)?

That being said, I work better in public spaces and burn through caffeine like a Hummer guzzles gas, making coffee shops my natural habitat. That is why I took it upon myself to write a series of reviews based on my experiences of cafes over the summer period, safe in the knowledge that only a handful of people have ever overdosed on caffeine.

My search for mobile offices and desire to understand Beijing’s cafe culture led me to my first top-up at Sanlitun SOHO’s Cafe Flatwhite.

Thankfully, placing my order this time around was easy as I went with the signature Flat White (RMB 20). The beans come from Rickshaw Roasters, and while the flavor was rich and the price decent, I was also concerned with how I would get on with their other flat white: the bar table top.

While the bar offered ample room for my laptop, fake Moleskine, and coffee to spread out all over, the bursts of coffee grinding noise grew irritating in no time. The open kitchen was wasted on me; I like to drink my coffee, don’t particularly care about seeing it made, and detest hearing it.

Solving the problem, I migrated to a corner table, which gave me ample room as well as access to multiple outlets and extension cords. Now sheltered from the kitchen, the wordless music and low hum of nearby business meetings created the ideal coffee shop buzz for getting work done.

I found the cafe’s location within the mall hidden enough to avoid stampeding foot traffic, yet also near enough to restaurants in Taikoo Li and Bar Street, a personal requirement as ending my day with dinner and drinks a hop and a skip away gives me motivation to work.

Overall, convenience and good facilities convinced me to ask for the stamp card (buy ten coffees get one free) and although I was peeved the staff didn’t offer it to me when I placed my order, I quickly forgave and demonstrated my loyalty by pinning my card on the board along with the others.

Vibe and design (how cool you’ll look working): 3/5

• Mismatched pastel cups and plates, nice decor, but nothing to write home about

Productivity (how much you’ll get done): 5/5

• Great Wi-Fi, laptop friendly, bright lighting for low-tech work

Follow my caffeine addiction on Instagram @xheatherrrr, or join me by tagging your pictures with #cafehoppingbj.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on July 8, 2014.

Photos by Heather Budimulia

A number of new restaurants and cafes have popped up at Pinnacle Plaza, including the very good Loft Eatalicious, Palatable bakery, and Blue Elephant Thai restaurant. A new tapas restaurant is set to open at the end of the month, which I hope to try before the summer break. In the last few weeks, two businesses owned by the same company have also opened: Galati Luxury Italian Food and Galati Italian Restaurant.

Galati Luxury Italian Food
This store does indeed specialize in in luxury foods, including a range of artisan pastas, sauces, oils, and wines. Tartufissima pastas, flavored with squid ink or sundried tomato, can be yours for RMB 158, or perhaps the Le Gemme del Vesuvio range of pastas priced at RMB 29-32 per 500g box. A delightful selection of breadsticks and Italian snacks sit alongside boxes of risotto rice (RMB 68) and amaretto biscuits (RMB 23-72). If you’re an Italian coffee lover, the shop stocks a range of coffees for cafetieres, filters, and machines.

As well as parma ham joints and Italian sausage, there’s a lovely selection of beautifully-packaged foods that would make for wonderful gifts: flavored sea salts, olive oil, truffle sauces and balsamic vinegars. Staff will happily put together a gift basket with products of your choice in a wicker basket or a leather hamper. The shop has a good range of Italian wines, with reds ranging from RMB 238-988 and Prosecco ranging from RMB 128-225. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-1pm.

Galati Italian Restaurant
If all that browsing leaves you salivating, take a stroll across the plaza to Galati Italian Restaurant. The eatery is done out very nicely with comfy bucket chairs in warm hues, beautiful orchids, and walls filled with pictures and mirrors. The six staff members on hand during lunch were attentive, friendly, and well-versed in the menu. Several of the restaurants at Pinnacle Plaza do not have their own toilets, and the public bathroom has disappeared since the Beijing United Clinic expansion. Luckily, Galati has its own bathroom – and a very good one too. If you’re dining with little ones, there are a number of highchairs available.

Whilst you wait, you are presented with a basket of crispy breads and wonderfully salty pesto, with a real tang of parmesan. The starter of mushroom soup was thick, complex, perfectly seasoned, and topped with a swirl of cream and croutons. My lunch date chose the minestrone soup, which was al dente and full of flavor.

For my main, I ordered the grilled chicken breast and rucola salad. The meat was succulent, topped with shaved parmesan, and served alongside grilled peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and braised red cabbage with pine nuts. My date ordered the prosciutto e funghi pizza, an authentic Italian thin crust pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, sliced ham, and mushroom.

Meat and fish dishes include beef tenderloin, osso bucco, salmon steak, and fresh tuna (RMB 98-178). Pastas (RMB 58-88) include lasagna, bolognese, taglioni with truffles, arrabiatta, and beef ravioli. There are a number of pizzas with flavors like margherita, prosciutto crudo, diavola, vegetarian, and tuna (RMB 58-78). Galati also serves bianca pizzas, which have a focaccia bread base.

We were too full for dessert, but you can choose from a light chocolate mousse, mascarpone cream, tiramisu, or asemifreddo al panettone (semi-frozen cake) for RMB 40-45.

To drink, there’s a selection of aperitifs, liqueurs, wines, beers, and juices. A number of their wines are available by the glass, but if you fancy a bottle you can get a decent Pinot Grigio for RMB 188, Prosecco for RMB 250, or just go crazy and order a Barolo for RMB 968.

For a while, my family and I have been heading away from Shunyi towards Indigo Mall and Wangjing for decent kid-friendly restaurants. It’s great to now have a very good restaurant right on our doorstep.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos by Sally Wilson