Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
this achingly cool Asian restaurant specialises in Korean and Japanese cuisine. The sushi
is top-notch, the tuna outstanding, and there's a strong selection of
saki
and
soju
to keep
you in high spirits. Booking recommended.
BOCATA$
(3 Sanlitun Bei Lu, sandwiches ¥26-50; 11.30am-midnight; ; Tuanjiehu)
Great spot for lunch, es-
pecially in summer, located slap-bang in the middle of Sānlǐtún's bar street and opposite
Běijīng's trendiest shopping area. As the name suggests, there's a Mediterranean-Middle
Eastern theme to the food, with decent hummus, salads (from ¥25), cold meats and
cheeses (from ¥50), but most punters go for the tasty sandwiches on ciabatta. The coffee,
juices and smoothies (from ¥20) go down a treat, too, and the large, tree-shaded terrace is
very popular in nice weather.
|CAFE
CARMEN$$
( Kǎmén; 6417 8038; Nali Patio north side, 81 Sanlitun Lu, mains ¥30-60; 11.15am-10.30pm; ;
Tuanjiehu)
Arguably Běijīng's best-loved tapas joint, Carmen does a fine range of olives,
cold meats, cheeses and the like, plus plenty of Mediterranean-inspired mains. The wine
list is strong, and there's live music from 7.30pm every night. It's hidden round the corner
from the popular terrace courtyard known as Nali Patio.
|SPANISH
GRILL 79$$$
|INTERNATIONAL
( Guómào Qīshíjiǔ; 79th fl, China World Trade Centre Phase Three, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, mains ¥180-300; mid-
day-2pm & 6-10pm; ; Guomao)
Don't be put off by the name: this is so much more than
a steak house. It's fine dining at its finest and, located on one of the top floors of the tallest
building in the city, this is literally
the
high point of Běijīng's restaurant scene. Needless
to say, the steaks (¥300 to ¥1500) are superb, but there's lobster, oysters and quality sea-
fish dishes to tempt you as well, plus an extensive wine list. Lunchtime set menus start at
¥180, but the daytime views are less impressive than the evening city skyscape. Upstairs
is the equally swanky cocktail bar, Atmosphere - Běijīng's highest bar.
RUMI$$
|PERSIAN
( 8454 3838; 1a Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, 1-1 mains 60-150; 11.30am-midnight; ; Tuanjiehu)
Located in a strip of Middle Eastern restaurants, this is Běijīng's only Persian place. In-
side, it's all cool white walls and furniture, but the food is authentic, with dishes such as
ghormeh sabzi
(a beef or vegetarian stew); fine shish kebabs (from ¥95), including a ve-
