FOOD TRIP: BEIJING

spanish: AGUA

4/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu

Chaoyang District Beijing.

THINK: a dining room for 70 people, including also private rooms. It has an open kitchen to the eyes of the costumers, making it a a challenge for the cleaning and the presentation. But who cares, and who would notice when all you can smell is  the aroma of olive oil, garlic prawn tapas , or a deliciously rich thick and creamy sauced beef ravioli and to satisfy lovers for all things deep fried, how bout a heavy yet crisp ham and mushroom croquetas? Then comes some mains, like the roast suckling pig, tender, crispy and full flavored cochinillo, alongside apricot and shallots and a sea bream with mushrooms. Don't forget to order the highly recommended or should i say The “must eat” food in agua which is the slow cooked Wagyu veal cheek with marinated plums in red wine and lightly pickled beetroot. 

Lunch sets are also served at an extremely reasonable price RMB88, so if you're cheap and anti-social, its a good idea for you to drop by at lunch. 

brazilian: ALAMEDA

Sanlitun Houjie, (beside The Nali Mall), 

Chaoyang District, Beijing

86(106) 417-8084

THINK: a light bright place perfect for brunch and ladies lunches, glass roof, modern lines, all white interiors, crisp white linen and sparkling glassware. Alameda blends market fresh ingredients with simple home produced flavors. appetizers would be something like marinated scallops with pea shoots, garlic toast and caper salsa, asparagus and arugula salad with feta and olives (omg this is my kindda thing) and for mains they have broiled fish over cold noodle salad, . For mains they have rustic black bean stew with pork and rice, brazilian sausages and prawn and avocado terrine and a penne with eggplant, grilled capsicum and whole roasted garlic. These all vary depending on market availability but the standard items on the menu would include filet mignon in a rosemary and red wine sauce with roasted potatoes and pan-fried whole tiger prawns. There is an à là carté menu but the two-course set lunch and dinner menus will satisfy most people’s appetites. Dessert costs extra though, while the extensive wine list is not cheap (from Y200 a bottle). Sophisticated without being snobbish, it’s a place to splash out. It’s essential to book.

asian fusion: BEI

The Opposite House, Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027

THINK: A sassy sushi bar or you can also book a sleek wood-paneled private room to enjoy the cuisines of northern Asia which have been transformed by creative presentation and haute techniques, so dishes like Wagyu steak are fit for an emperor. The sashimi is flown in directly from Tokyo, and the silken chocolate tofu is accented with coarse salt. The competent staff will help you navigate their comprehensive list of sakes and wines.

It's a good concept -- blending the cuisines of Korea, Japan, and China, given the restaurant's location in the heart of China's capital, but the dishes seem to be a hit-or-miss but that's just me because I really get turned off with all the flair in presentation and stuff. In other news, what makes me look into this restaurant is when I saw a picture of the basement which is decorated with whimsical flying light bulbs, minimalist white tables, and black wooden bucket seats. The visit is worthwhile if you like sushi, which looks like Tokyo-quality in freshness and cut. Sake pairings could make this a unique dining experience.

Exciting contemporary Asian food in an effortlessly cool, boutique hotel setting. This could easily be one of your most memorable dining experiences even if not for the food, maybe for the bill because innovation doesn't come cheap.

(TO BE CONTINUED)