PLANNING YOUR FACT-FINDING TRIP - Living Abroad in Beijing - page 114

As a move to Beijing seems on the cards, however, it's worth trying the local cuisine, as
opposed to Cantonese or Sichuan food, which you might be more familiar with. Normally,
traditional Beijing cuisine is an offal-driven, drab, even pungent style of food, but Hong
Lu (6 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district, 红炉, 朝阳区三里屯南路6号楼南侧 , tel. 10/
6595-9872) has rescued its reputation. Just a short walk south of Taikuli, Hong Lu produces
fantastic food, served by friendly staff who are proud of their flavorful dishes.
Down by the east gate of Ritan Park, try out one of the best hot pot venues in the
city, Nan Men Hotpot (9 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang district, 朝阳区日坛东路9号 , tel. 10/
8562-8899, www.hongyuan.cc ) . If you're not keen on the usual communal hot pot broth,
this may be more to your liking. Diners have individual pots in which to dunk the fresh sup-
ply of ingredients.
Over in the CBD there is no shortage of low-key local eateries, but the area is more
strongly associated with fine dining, thanks to its concentration of five-star hotels. One that
will simultaneously offer you a spectacular view and good cuisine is China Grill , set on the
top floor of the Park Hyatt Beijing (66F, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district, 北京
柏悦酒店, 朝阳区建国门外大街2号66层 , tel. [phone], beijing.park.hyatt.com). On
a fine day or night, there isn't a restaurant with a better combination of scenery and food.
After dinner head one floor down to the sexy China Bar , or down to the third floor to Xiu
bar for people watching, cocktails, and live music.
Those in the Lido area also have a few good options up their sleeves, including the
restaurants around Indigo shopping mall and the various options inside 798. One worth
mentioning is Najia Xiaoguan (2 Jiuxianqiao Bei Lu, 那家小馆, 朝阳区酒仙桥北路2号 ,
tel. [phone]), situated on the north side of 798, just outside the area's 707 Street.
Though it isn't particularly well known by the expat crowd, locals love Najia Xiaoguan for
its mouthwatering Manchu-style cuisine.
Finally, if you're interested in checking out Beijing's gay scene, make a stop at Destin-
ation (7 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang district, 朝阳区工人体育场西路7号 , tel. [phone],
www.bjdestination.com ) , situated near the west gate of the Workers' Stadium. Beijing's gay
community might be a long shot from that of San Francisco or Sydney, but it does have a
growing presence, and this fun and lively establishment is an important part of that, bring-
ing in a rainbow assortment of international DJs to play throughout the year.