Beijing Restaurant Tips by filipdebont

Restaurant Name: Purple Vine

The first evening in Beijing, our Dutch tour guide took us to a cosy restaurant at the other side of the city. With or group we went in different taxis. Our taxi dropped us of at a dark corner with the message that he could not drive any further because of a one way street.

So there we stood, in the dark rain, not knowing exactly where to go, not knowing were the rest of the group was.

Several times we tried to ask the direction, but or they did not understand English, or they had no idea where this restaurant was. Finally a young student pointed the right direction. We arrived in a dark, partly flooded narrow street, but we found it.

The restaurant was partly restaurant, partly antique shop. So like this it was nice to eat in an antique scenery.

We ordered 6 or seven different dishes, like this it was easily to taste different Chinese dishes. It was some time ago that I had eaten with those Chinese sticks, but soon it looked as I had never done anything else.

The food in the Purple Vine was excellent, and the service was also okay.

The restaurant was located near the famous Sanlitun Bar street. Normally a vibrating street filled with colourful lights and good music. But this evening it was dark, wet and chilly, as due the heavy rain showers there was failure in the electricity system in this quarter. So no lights, no music, no vibrating atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Sweet and Sour Porc

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 6416 8855
Address: next to bldg 28, sanlitun bei, chao yang qu.
Directions: Very near the famous Sanlitun Bar Street
Other Contact: E-mail:purplevine@gmx.net

Restaurant Name: Nightmarkets and Street Vendors

At the first square after you have passed the Tiananmen gate gate of Heavenly Peace), you will several street vendors.

Here you can buy small bottles of water or coke. they also are selling ice cream and small cakes.

It can be important to buy some water as it can be very hot and thirsty.

Favorite Dish: a bottle of water

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Theme: Street Vendor
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: everywhere

Restaurant Name: no idea

After my visit (in the rain) at the Lama temple and at the Confucius temple, I wanted to eat something.

On the way towards the Lama temple I had noticed a local restaurant.

In the restaurant there were a lot of local people, which always says a lot on the quality. When the locals go there, it must be good.

So I ordered a plate of Sweet and sour Pork with Rice. It was delicious, but too much.

But up to me it was cheap.

As it was raining outside, everyone was entering wit their wet umbrellas, and so the staff gave a plastic bag to everyone to put their umbrella in, like this the floor of the restaurant stayed dry and did not become slippery.

Favorite Dish: Sweet and Sour Porc

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Yonghegong Dajie
Directions: near the Lama temple