In this section Western Taste will bring You restaurant recommendation where we suggest places you could avoid and restaurants/bars that you should definitely visit here in Beijing, China.

We will try to provide critique on both Western as well as Asian cuisine.

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L'Isola (Italian), (Beijing)
Grade: 4,5 of 5



This place is really nice. A somelier that owns the place with his brother which is the head chef and some well educated waitresses. The Somelier of this establishment has more than a 100 variaties of wine in his restaurant. The food is excellent and has some of the best quality food in the spirit of Italy here in Beijing. The prices is sometimes a little bit high however all in all it is worth it. L'Isola focuses on appetizers, main dishes and desserts in the same importance, which is very important for a good quality restaurant.
The interior is very lovely and the service is top. If you are looking for a restaurant were knowledge within wine is top, food has great quality and service is good than you should go and visit this lovely Italian restaurant at Sanli Tun area in Beijing.

Unit 201, 2/F, PCP Dining, Pacific Century Place, A2 Gongti Beilu
Phone: 6539-3773

Written by: Sofie Johansson

 

La Baie Des Anges - Lounge & Wine Bar, (Beijing)

Grade: 4 of 5



This wine bar is a must to visit here in Beijing. It is located in the heart of Houhai bar street. It is cosy, lovely, very nice wine and sometimes live music with a bit of French touch in it. The establishment is run by two young French guys from Nice (South of France) and are very nice to talk to. If tired of all the heat and noice of Houhai than you should sneak in to this little place in the back and enjoy yourself with a glass of wine and some cheese dishes to complement for aroma perfection.
This place is a have to go! So next time you are in Beijing, China. Do not hesitate to check it out.

5 Nanguanfang Hutong, Houhai, Xicheng Dist, Beijing.
www.la-baie-des-anges.com
Phone: 6657-1605

Written by: Alexander Yu


Face Bar (Thai and Vietnamnese), (Beijing)

Grade: 3,5 of 5



Face bar is a luxurious restaurant chain that is located in Shanghai, Beijing, Bankok and Jakarta. Its focus feels more on interior and design rather than on food. Its menu is interesting however not so extrodinary. The wine list is somewhat interesting however it is still having these boring commercial wines like Masi and Moet Champagne. Although the food that I've tasted has some great qualities in it. The spices and flavours are well used and complements nicely with wine, which they try to profile themselves with (Western wine with East-Asian food).
That is why our grade is 3,5 for its effort in the wine and East-Asian cusine complementary. Also for its fantastic job in interior and design.

26 Dongcaoyuan, behind the Cervantes Institute
www.facebars.com
Phone: 6551-6788

Written by: Sofie Johansson

Maison Boulud (French Haute Cusine)

Grade: 4,5 of 5



Located in the former area; Legation Quarter but now known as Chien Men. This restaurant brings the French cuisine in Beijing to another level with excellent service and great standards. The food here is really something different from the rest of the French restaurants in China and with a wine list that consists of 800 wines is not bad at all. The wine list is probably one of the largest I have ever seen. So you do not need to feel embarrassed to ask for the sommelier when it comes to wine guidance.

Qian Men Dong Da Jie (next to the Forbidden City)
www.legationquarter.com

Written by: Sofie Johansson

My Humble House (Singaporean fusion), (Beijing)

Grade: 2,5 of 5



The food has good quality meat and provides very good service. However one big issue is that they have very commercial wine on their wine list. It is only big brands that make big quantity productions and no small wineries with good quality interesting wines. I did not like the wierd flavours of their dressing for the salads as starters and some of the meat had to much fat included. Something the chef should cut out before serving. Though their meat provides nice flavours and complements a well selected Bordeaux blend with more tendency towards tannic structures like Cabernet Sauvignon.
The brand is a Singaporean restaurant chain with locations in Singapore, Tokyo, New Delhi and Beijing. They probably will open in Shanghai and is lookng at Hong Kong.

Beijing Oriental Plaza, Podium Level W3
Unit 01-07 No.1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing
Phone: 8518 8811

Written by: Sofie Johansson

Cepe, Ritz Carlton FS (European), (Beijing)

Grade: 4 of 5



Ritz Carlton always gives top service, wounders in food and beverage and the understanding in luxury. Cepe restaurant in Ritz Carlton Beijing at the Financial Street gives the best. It is the first Ritz Carlton in Beijing and has top luxury service. Innovative food performance is at its best during their monthly food promotions, especially their mushroom food experience (ends in Oktober 2008). For Ritz Carlton the prices are very cheap. Around 500 RMB per person for 4 dishes is nothing compaired to Ritz Carlton standard around the world.

1 Jin Cheng Fang Street East
Financial Street, Beijing
Phone: 6601 6666

Written by: Sofie Johansson