Destination: China: Beijing
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Top Tables in Beijing
Until a decade ago, Beijing was something of a wasteland for the serious gourmand. The restaurants that reached acceptable international standards of hygiene and service tended to close early. All that has changed in the past ten years, with a slew of hotel fine-dining options, and more and more freestanding restaurants that can hold their own. To experience the city’s most famous product—Peking duck—cooked in the authentic manner in a genuinely local setting means forgoing some of the usual niceties. Is it worth it? You bet. Peking duck, slow cooked over wood, and served in thin pancakes and slavered with plum sauce, is an ambrosial culinary treat. At one place it is possible to get a feel for hutong life and sample real Peking duck. Read tips on where to find the best Peking Duck in Beijing.
Take a good look at the geography before planning any trip out. It is a spread-out city, with crawling traffic, where bar-hopping is not really feasible, except in the Sanlitun district, beloved by foreign students studying Mandarin. Today, there are many Sanlitun dining places that pass international-standard muster, and it is a lively and fun place for a walk, especially on a summer’s evening, enjoying a cold drink at the outdoor tables.
Among our favorites are those in the former American Embassy Compound (Maison Boulud and Sadler) as well as Michelle Garnault’s Capital M, Made in China (for Peking Duck), Green T House and LAN Club.
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