Maison Boulud ♥ ♥

 

Maison Boulud is housed in the former US Embassy in Beijing

 

 

This was what greeted us when we were ushered into one of the first western-style buildings
ever constructed in China's capital city.

 

 

Main dining room

 

 

The welcome cheese puff was a delight. Sadly, it was also the most exciting dish of the night.

 

 

Amuse bouche

 

 

Form the bread basket

 

 

We all had Chef Daniel Boulud's Summer Tasting Menu

 

 

And a bottle of Ferraton Pere & Fills Côtes du Rhône Samorens 2009

 

 

The food was nice, but none of them special.

I was expecting better from Daniel Boulud.

 

Duck Foie Gras Terrine with Apricot and Celery

 

 

Goose Foie Gras Roasted with Cherries and Pistachio

 

 

Crab Scaled with Avocado and Tomato Water Gelee

 

 

Yellowfin Tuna, Variation of Nicoise Salad

 

 

Swordfish, Fava Bean Panisse, Sauce Romesco

 

 

Scallop, Fregola Sarda Couscous, Spanish Clams

 

 

Duo of Lamb, Kebab Spiced Loin, Tender Moussaka

 

 

Duo of Wagyu, Roasted Ribeye, Braised Short Rib
This was the best course, but I am not sure it was worth the additional RMB188.

 

 

Pre-dessert

 

 

Raspberry Vacherin with Pistachio Ice Cream

 

 

Guanaja, Warm Chocolate Coulant, Milk Sorbet

 

 

Mignardises

 

 

We wanted more cheese puffs 

 

Maison Boulud: 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Beijing, China. Tel: +86 10 6559 9200

Maison Boulud Website

Tian Di Yi Jia 天地一家 ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Walking into Tian Di Yi Jia, I suddenly felt like a Chinese empress.

 

 

The calm and serenity of the place, the greens, satin umbrellas hanging from high ceilings,
fish pond at the center of the room, truly made the place, as its Chinese name translates into,
"Heaven on Earth"

 

 

The design is simple but very tasteful, with exquisite hand-carved wooden furnitures from
around China.

 

 

Ni hao! Hehehe!

 

 

Freshly squeezed juices: orange, corn, papaya, watermelon.
I had corn. It was like drinking warm corn soup smoothie in a glass. :) 

 

 

Like how Chinese Imperial cuisine should be, our food was prepared beautifully and flavors were subtle.

 

Well, except for this one - Duck Web Seasoned with Wasabi Sauce.
If you like chicken feet and wasabi but do not like bones, this is for you. It was absolutely for me! 

 

 

Sliced Goose Liver touched with Sake

 

 

Pan fried "Dalian" Pancakes in Beijing Style

 

 

Pan Seared Scallop with Homemade Caviar Sauce - this was phenomenal

 

 

Sauteed Sliced Lamb with Scallions

 

 

And then, the main event 

 

 

Roasted Beijing Duck with Linzhi

 

 

Peking Duck Wraps

 

 

The desserts, however, like the cold and inattentive service, needed much improvement.

 

Imperial Yogurt (with 3 pieces of raisins)

 

 

Mooncake

 

 

The Empress and her servant girls :P

 

Tian Di Yi Jia 天地一家: 140 Nanchiji Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Tel: +86 10 8511 5556
东城区南池子大街140号

Tian Di Yi Jia Website

KFC Sichuan Double Mighty Burger Ӫ

 

It was already quarter to 11pm by the time we finished our errands. We didn't have much choice for dinner but...

 

Kentucky Fried Chicken

  

I love Zinger.

And I am addicted to the KFC egg tarts in Taiwan. 

I thought I would find a favorite in China.

  

THE SICHUAN DOUBLE MIGHTY BURGER.
It got me at "Mighty."
It was as "China" as a burger can get.
I went back to the counter and ordered a Zinger. 

  

A very sad first day in Beijing.

KFC China Website

Tonkatsu & Curry 双马餐厅(俺朋堂) ♥

 

Tonkatsu & Curry used to be our delivery staple when we were too lazy to cook and too lethargic to go out for meals during our Beijing days.

The fried pork drenched in curry sauce was heaven to me.

It's been 9 years since then. I still think about it. 

 

We made sure it was our first meal on our first day in Beijing

 

 

So this is what the restaurant looks like. Hrrrrrmmmmmm… 
I wish we called for delivery instead. Lol! 

 

 

The government gave them a "B" rating for food safety and cleanliness

 

 

Frances and Felisse each had Cheese Cutlet Roll

 

 

I had Cheese Cutlet Roll Curry Rice

 

 

 The pork was tender, there was enough cheese ooze, the rice tasted nothing like curry, 
it was just yellow. The curry sauce on the side was more like tomato. 
OMG! What was wrong with my tastebuds in 2005???

 

 

And this thing kept appearing on the floor beside me as I ate

 

 

Ano ba naman, Miss!!!

 

 

She really took the cleanliness rating very seriously

 

 

Tonkatsu & Curry. Fooled us for the last 9 years.

 

Tonkatsu & Curry 双马餐厅 (俺朋堂): No. 41-2, Chengfu Road, Wudaokou, Haidian District, Beijing.
海淀区海淀区成府路五道口41-2号

Tel: +86 10 6261 2041

Tonkatsu & Curry Dianping Page

Breakfast at The Opposite House ♥ ♥ ♥

 

We really enjoyed our bed at The Opposite House and never woke up early enough for breakfast until our very last day in Beijing.

And only because we had a flight to catch.

 

Breakfast was at The Village Cafe

 

 

It was red and warm and had 3 dinosaurs.

 

 

Aside from your a la carte order of breakfast items, guests enjoy a small buffet of
cold cuts and salads...

 

 

 Cereals, fresh yogurt, marinated fruits 

 

 

 Breads and pastries

 

 

Fresh honey and fruit preserves

 

 

 Green smoothies

 

 

Who says healthy can't be yummy?

 

 

Whole grilled portobello mushrooms on toasted sourdough with butter, garlic, thyme and spinach

 

 

Eggs Benedict with ham and hollandaise sauce on toasted bagel

 

 

I also got these from the buffet spread. The more, the merrier! :)

 

 

A very green alfresco area right outside the hotel

 

 

This should be very pretty at night

 

 

I love the carving on the wall: "From a little spark may burst a flame."
True that!!! 

 

 

Our hungry morning faces

 

Click here to see my post on The Opposite House hotel lobby and room. 

 

The Village Cafe: Lobby Level, The Opposite House, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号楼

Tel: +86 10 6417 6688

The Opposite House Website