Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Qiánmén Quánjùdé Kǎoyādiàn; 6511 2418, 6701 1379; 30 Qianmen Dajie, roast duck ¥228; lunch & dinner;
; Qianmen)
The most popular branch of Běijīng's most famous destination for duck -
check out the photos of everyone from Fidel Castro to Zhang Yimou. This place is geared
to the tourist hordes (both domestic and foreign). A consequence of the crowds is that ser-
vice can be peremptory, while the huge two-floor venue lacks atmosphere. But the duck,
while not the best in town, is pretty good, and roasted in ovens fired by fruit-tree wood.
That means the birds have a unique fragrance, as well as being juicy, if slightly fatty.
THE EVOLUTION OF 23 QIANMEN DONGDAJIE
Known today for its high-class restaurants and as the site of exclusive fashion shows, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie is
host to far more than just top chefs and supermodels. The elegant buildings in a neo-classical style set around a
quadrangle have a unique history, having been built in 1903 to house the US embassy. The original American
legation was located on Dongjiaomin Xiang and was badly damaged during the 1900 Boxer Rebellion when it,
and other foreign embassies, came under siege for months.
The address stayed as the US embassy until 1949 and the communist takeover of China, when the American
diplomats decamped to Taiwan. The next resident was the Dalai Lama; it was his official Běijīng home until he
too fled China for India in 1959. Later, the buildings became part of the Chinese foreign ministry and were the
venue for secret talks between the US and China in 1971 that led to President Nixon's historic visit to China the
next year, and the beginning of the normalisation of relations between Běijīng and Washington.
CAPITAL M$$$
( M Cāntīng; 6702 2727; 3rd fl, 2 Qianmen Dajie, mains from ¥188; lunch & dinner; ; Qianmen)
The terrace of this swish but relaxed restaurant, whose chef works with the cuisines of
North Africa, Greece, and southern Italy and France, offers fine views over Qiánmén Gate
and Tiān'ānmén Square. The large, light-filled dining room is almost as good a place to
enjoy the nicely presented, un fussy menu of Mediterranean favourites. We like the ta-
gines and king prawns done in a Catalan style with chorizo and saffron rice, but the steaks
and salmon are equally enjoyable. The lunch menu is cheaper, with mains from ¥128, and
there's a weekend lunch deal with two courses for ¥248. It's down the first turning on the
left at the beginning of Qianmen Dajie; look for the 'M' hanging off the side of the build-
ing. It's advisable to reserve here.
|MEDITERRANEAN
BIÀNYÍFĀNG$$$
|PEKING DUCK
