Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
worth their while cooking a batch. Other specialities include the pickled fish (
su ji yu
), the spicy tofu paste (
ma doufu
) and the deep-fried pork balls (
gan
zha wanzi
), while filling bowls of millet porridge (
xiao mi zhou
) are served up
for free. No English sign (look for the wooden signboard), and no English
spoken, but there is an English translation of the menu available (
yingwen
caidan
).
COURTYARD $$$
( Siheyuan; 6526 8883; 95 Donghuamen Dajie; 95 mains ¥130-300, set
menu ¥488; 6-10pm; Tian'anmen Dong or Dengshikou; )
Classy
Courtyard enjoys a peerless location perched by the side of the moat sur-
rounding the Forbidden City. Romantics will need to book ahead to ensure
they have one of the cosy window tables that offer the best views. The menu is
small but sumptuous and the wine list impressive, while the basement houses
a small art gallery.
Fusion
CRESCENT MOON MUSLIM RESTAURANT $
( Xinjiang Wanwanyueliang Weiwu'er Musilin Canting; 16 Dongsi Liutiao
Hutong; 16 ( ); dishes from ¥18; 10am-midnight; Dongsishitiao; )
Tucked away down a
hutong
off Dongsi Beidajie, and owned and staffed by
Uighur Muslims from Xinjiang province, this place attracts many Beijing-based
Uighurs and people from central Asia, as well as a lot of Western expats. The
speciality is the leg of lamb at ¥128.
Chinese Xinjiang
LAO ZHAI YUAN $$
( 14 Liangguochang, off Meishuguan Houjie; 14 mains ¥30-50;
10am-1.30pm 4.30pm-8.30pm; Chinese Museum of Art; )
Good-value
Beijing roast duck in a small courtyard restaurant. The duck on the English
menu costs ¥135, and is the better quality of the two types available. If you
want the cheaper but still tasty version, which costs ¥98, ask for
putong kao ya
( ordinary roast duck).
Roast Duck
