Beijing duck and Chinese New Year Eve feast

By Annie Wei

Beijing Today recommends a new Beijing duck restaurant in Sanlitun with good deals on Chinese New Year’s eve and two online recipe sites for those who prefer to cook at home.

New duck spot by Sanlitun

Looking for a unique duck experience? A restaurant near Sanlitun, Bianyifang, uses a closed-door oven to roast ducks, a technique introduced to Beijing from the Yangtze River area during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The chef must maintain good control of the temperature. The meat doesn’t come out as dry when it’s roasted in a closed oven instead of an open oven. The duck’s skin also comes out crispy but not greasy.

We recommend the flower-flavored Beijing duck (starting at 188 yuan). The duck is soaked in water lilies, dates and tea before roasting for a pleasant aroma.

Cheap but good meals at Sanlitun

By Annie Wei

For all the improvements at Sanlitun, the majority of restaurants haven’t figured out how to offer a quality meal at a modest price. But Beijing Today readers are in luck: two small restaurants in this area offer hope on this front. One even offers a great German Riesling.

Home-style cooking at Hong Lu

Unlike at the upscale Sanlitun Village, small and nice eateries are still available around Sanlitun Nan Lu. A new restaurant named Hong Lu opened five months ago next to the furniture store Casa Pagoda.

Recent patrons Simon Xue and Miumiu Liu, a local couple that works at a big corporation, said the restaurant was a treasure.

“Simon loves Beijing food and he eats here three times a week,” Liu said. And the prices seem fair: a big feast for six costs 300 yuan.

The restaurant focuses on home-style dishes such as hutong sidagang (30 yuan), four starters including traditional pickles and braised pork placed in jars and served on a rectangular wood plate. Its ganzha xiaowanzi (25 yuan), deep-fried pork balls, are handmade and delicious with salt and pepper.

Its braised beltfish (46 yuan) is one of the most recommended. When deep-frying something, many chefs like rolling the fish with mung bean flour first. But it’s not the case here. The beltfish gets its kick from the sauce.

Zhasuanzhi jiangzhouzi (56 yuan) is sliced braised pig feet with garlic sauce. The feet have been stewed for a long time and come out soft and tender. It’s great when mixed with strong garlic sauce.

The restaurant is operated by the same company that owns Zhongbalou, a creative Yunnan restaurant in an alley near the Sanlitun embassy area that’s known for homemade drinks in pretty glasses. Recommended is the homemade yogurt (8 yuan).

Hong Lu is a three-floor restaurant in the style of an antique Anhui Province building. It’s a bit cold inside, as heating isn’t available until November 15.

Hong Lu Restaurant

Where: 6 Sanlitun Nan Lu,

Chaoyang District

Open: 11 am – 9 pm

Tel: 6593 8970

Cost: Average 50 yuan per person

Four injured in iPad fight at Beijing Apple store

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110508/ts_afp/chinaitcompanyinternetusappleipad_20110508071050

Four injured in iPad fight at Beijing Apple store

BEIJING (AFP) – Four people were taken to hospital and a glass door smashed as a near-riot broke out at Beijing’s top Apple store among crowds rushing to snap up the popular iPad 2 tablet computer, according to state press.

Angry consumers began rushing the store on Saturday afternoon after a “foreign” Apple employee allegedly stepped into the crowd to push and beat people suspected of queue jumping, the Beijing News said.

After the employee retreated back into the store, a crowd of consumers smashed the glass front door and shoved security guards as they surged forward in anger over the alleged beatings, the report said.

Consumers have lined up for hours at Apple stores in Beijing and Shanghai since the iPad 2, the updated version of the tablet computer, went on sale in the world’s biggest Internet market on Friday.

The store in Beijing’s chic Sanlitun commercial district closed early Saturday because of the altercation, but according to a voice recording on the store’s phone was open for business Sunday.

Apple officials were not immediately available for comment when telephoned by AFP.

Police were investigating the incident and have interviewed four people hospitalised with injuries, the Beijing News said.

Lines for the popular iPad 2 have grown so long that people have begun selling their places in the queue, while a secondary market has also developed with consumers reselling their tablet computers for profit after leaving the store, the report said.

Late Saturday, the store posted a notice saying that queue jumping and the unauthorised sales of Apple products would not be tolerated, the paper said.

Origami Cranes Show Support For The Japan Earthquake

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3678

Canthy and I both fancied sushi, so we went to Hatsune, a Japanese restaurant at Sanlitun. The tables had been laid out with small pot containing a paper origami crane. I asked the waitress and she told us it was to show support for the people suffering in the Japanese earthquake. Apparently around the world many people, especially schoolkids and students were making paper cranes to show support. There is even a Facebook page called Paper Cranes For Japan, but unfortunately Facebook is still blocked in China. The crane is one of the symbols of Japan and legend says that if you fold 1000 origami cranes your wish will come true. Last week we made a donation to the Red Cross to help out in Japan. This week I think I might make some origami cranes as I am sure the people in Japan could do with some good karma as well as financial relief. Don’t think I will have time to make a 1000 but I guess 10 would be ok, as it’s the thought that counts.

Handmade jewelry store now open in Sanlitun

 

Designer Elizabeth Genetti/Photos provided by Belita Jewelry

 

By Annie Wei

Sanlitun has collected quite a few designer brands for jewelry. Elizabeth Genetti, a young woman from California, just moved her store from Gaobeidian to this booming area.

The designer said jewelry is an art form, which has the power to influence moods and evoke reactions. “Jewelry should make you feel beautiful,” Genetti said. She wants to use her jewelry to inspire positive feelings.

Genetti’s interest in jewelry began when she was 4, and her love and knowledge for it grew along with her family’s jewelry factory that specialized in homemade gold designs. Genetti developed a deep appreciation for handcrafted jewelry.

“The handmade quality adds value, as each piece is truly unique,” she said.

Genetti talked to Beijing Today about her designs.

Dops, candy-colored drop earrings, 345 yuan

These earrings use gemstones from all over the world. Each measures 3 millimeters and adds a color and sparkle suitable for everyday style.

Chinese language school opens in Sanlitun

By Liang Meilan

The Hutong School, a reputable Chinese language school opened in April 2005, has recently opened a school in the Sanlitun area.

The school occupies a spacious office on the 15th floor of the Zhongyu building. There are six classrooms with a maximum of 10 people per class.

Looking through the French-designed window, one gets a panorama of the Sanlitun commercial area.

Hutong School decided to expand because its old school near the Drum and Bell Towers is getting overcrowded. It also has a location near the Central Business District.

“We’re offering convenience by opening a venue in a commercial area where foreign companies are located and expats frequently visit,” said Ferry Rebergen, the school’s 28-year-old marketing manager.

A highlight of the school’s curriculum is an internship program that places foreign students inside companies as interns. In this way, students learn both in the classroom and through immersion.

So far, the school has sent foreigners to small- and medium-sized companies in sales and marketing, project support, IT and curatorial labs. Partner companies include Lenovo.

Sixty students have registered at the new location so far, with many more showing interest.

Teachers at the school do not necessarily have Chinese language teaching certificates.

“They share a passion for the language and are responsible for imparting their culture to students,” Rebergen said, adding that certificates are sometimes simply sold, and therefore meaningless.

Cozy wine bar and cafe at Sanlitun as winter escape

By Annie Wei

People who live in the Sanlitun area have been spoiled by many new shops, restaurants, cafes and bars this year. Beijing Today tries to catch up with the fast-changing dining scene.

Colibri cupcake, Panini and coffee

Colibri has carved out a spot for itself at The Village North, surrounded by designer labels and high-end boutiques.

One can find 10 kinds of cupcakes (23 yuan each) with exotic flavors like Mocha, carrot, zucchini, green tea, orange and raspberry. They are all handcrafted and topped with soft butter cream, which looks absolutely irresistible. Kelly Wang, the store manager, said that they use quality ingredients and the cupcakes are baked fresh daily (115 yuan for six, 220 yuan for a dozen). Delivery is available.

Apart from the colorful spread of cupcakes, there is a delectable selection of wraps (48 yuan), sandwiches (38 to 58 yuan) and coffee (15 to 25 yuan) – perfect for lunch or those needing a mid-day snack.

Spanish indulgence in Sanlitun

By Annie Wei

Sanlitun has become a one-stop shop for fans of Spanish food. At Nali Patio are Niajo and Carmen, which serve homey, traditional dishes, as well as Taste of Spain, which sells imported Spanish snacks, drinks and cooking ingredients like quality olive oil.

There is also Migas, at Nali Patio’s top floor, and Modo, at the third floor of neighboring mall Sanlitun Village. Both restaurants offer inventive tapas and a wide selection of wines.

Good wine, rooftop lounge and arty decor

Migas made a great first impression on diners who were invited to its opening night three weeks ago. Besides sumptuous food, restaurant reviewers said it offered a cool industrial ambiance with designer furniture and a 360-degree view of Sanlitun from its rooftop bar.
 
Beijing Today was so intrigued it decided to invite two readers to come along for dinner.

Australia on the big screen in Sanlitun

Melinda Rackham/Photo provided by Edward Sanderson

By Liang Meilan

As part of the 2010 Australia-China Cultural Year activities, a video exhibition combining art work from eight Australian artists will be shown on Sanlitun Village’s big screen every half hour each day.

Titled “Dream Worlds,” the show draws elements from animation, generative media, video games, dance, film and art. “The show presents a wide range of elements touching on Australian icons, such as its red soil, the life of its aboriginal people and the blue seashore,” said Melinda Rackham, the curator.

Rackham, formerly an artist and now a well known art critic and curator, said holding such a show will introduce Australia to more people. The curator chose artists whose works have never been shown in China before.

“A lot of people, especially those from the northern hemisphere, think Australia is an exotic destination that’s a long ways away,” she said. “They don’t really know what it is really like. So part of the exhibition is to increase the world’s understanding of the country.

“Instead of putting the show in an exhibition room, we chose to show it in an open area to make art part of people’s lives.”

The show has positive responses received so far.

“This will increase dialogue between artists from the two countries, which will eventually add to mutual understanding not only in art but also among the general public,” said Jill Collins, news and culture counselor at the Australian embassy.

The exhibition consists of eight video clips on a diverse range of topics that deal with the universal themes of love, hope, aspiration, security and comfort.

New original design shops at Sanlitun Village

By Liang Meilan

In fewer than two years, Sanlitun Village has become a Beijing fashion hub with its international-brand flagship stores, lovely boutiques and shops dedicated to original designers. Two brands known for Chinese designs are making a new home in Sanlitun, and Beijing Today did some sleuthing work to see if there is cause for excitement.

Cotton that blends style and simplicity

The most appropriate clothes for the sweltering summer are those made of pure cotton. Catering to this demand is where the one-year-old domestic brand WO2 hopes to find its niche.

The brand, founded by Liyia Wu and her friend Yao Yu, opened its first store in 798 Art District last year, drawing hordes of young fashionistas. Its Sanlitun flagship store is preparing to welcome shoppers next week.

WO2 is known for its bright-colored cotton T-shirts, dresses, trousers, jackets and cloaks, all of which have simple designs and are free of emblazoned prints. “To make sure the clothes are comfortable and hypoallergenic, we meticulously choose fabrics with 92 to 95 percent cotton,” Wu said. “Each piece also has five to eight percent spandex, which ensures elasticity and helps the clothes maintain their shape.”