Gulou Area

Wrapped up in a Paper bag
By Annie Wei

Beijing’s development continues to attract concept restaurants, like the Paper, a restaurant serving a menu of modern simplicity.

Paper opened last March and is the third restaurant and bar owned by Cho Chonggee in Gulou Dong Dajie. It serves up modern Chinese cuisine that some might call fusion. “It’s still southern Chinese food with creativity, less oil and no MSG, but more seasonal organic vegetables to fill in the gaps in urban dwellers’ diets,” he said.

Currently, Paper has no menu. Dinners pay 150 yuan each, not including drinks and are served whatever the chef is in the mood to make. Cho said the new menu will be ready within one or two weeks.

The interior is done in art deco-inspired paper white, with white upholstery, white banquettes, white walls, while table linens and frames speakers. The outside wall is black, with a narrow glass window that street-walkers can see through, but few would realize it is a restaurant inside.

For drinks, Paper has a list of imported wines and champagne, and it has a reputation for the best Mojitos in town. The exquisite taste comes from the fresh lemon and peppermint, and they are always served in a big glass.

Paper
Where: 138, Gulou Dong Dajie
Tel: 6405 6488