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Xi Lai Shun Restaurant

Xi Lai Shun Restaurant was established during the 19th year of the Republic of China in 1930 and is a time-honored restaurant that specializes in Muslim cuisine. The new site is located at No. 116, Bei Xinhua Street in Xicheng District. It is a two-story building, with two dining halls on the fir...

Xi Lai Shun Restaurant was established during the 19th year of the Republic of China in 1930 and is a time-honored restaurant that specializes in Muslim cuisine. The new site is located at No. 116, Bei Xinhua Street in Xicheng District. It is a two-story building, with two dining halls on the first and second floors as well as 3 private rooms on the second floor. Waiters at the restaurant can all speak English and Arabic to serve millions of tourists from Muslim countries. Xi Lai Shun has its own features in cooking and is regarded as the representative of Western Muslim cuisines. Its main features are its wide use of ingredients, delicate selection of seasonings, meticulous cooking, beautiful appearance and the combination of advantages of Chinese and western cuisines. Malianliang Duck, Grilled Whole Lamb, Roast Young sheep, Quewo shrimp and chicken wrapped in cellophane are all very delicious. It is said that the chefs at the restaurant once won two gold, two silver and a copper medal on the fifth world cooking contest.

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Xi Lai Shun Restaurant was established during the 19th year of the Republic of China in 1930 and is a time-honored restaurant that specializes in Muslim cuisine. The new site is located at No. 116, Bei Xinhua Street in Xicheng District. It is a two-story building, with two dining halls on the first and second floors as well as 3 private rooms on the second floor. Waiters at the restaurant can all speak English and Arabic to serve millions of tourists from Muslim countries.

Xi Lai Shun has its own features in cooking and is regarded as the representative of Western Muslim cuisines. Its main features are its wide use of ingredients, delicate selection of seasonings, meticulous cooking, beautiful appearance and the combination of advantages of Chinese and western cuisines. Malianliang Duck, Grilled Whole Lamb, Roast Young sheep, Quewo shrimp and chicken wrapped in cellophane are all very delicious. It is said that the chefs at the restaurant once won two gold, two silver and a copper medal on the fifth world cooking contest.

Chill Cafe & Bar

Chill is something in the land of identical hutong bars. Inside, two stylish rooms flank either ends of a covered courtyard, set aglow by a roaring log fire on weekends. On one side lies the bar, all cheese plates, leather sofas, minimalism and lounge music; on the other, a cozy room of floor-cha...

Chill is something in the land of identical hutong bars. Inside, two stylish rooms flank either ends of a covered courtyard, set aglow by a roaring log fire on weekends. On one side lies the bar, all cheese plates, leather sofas, minimalism and lounge music; on the other, a cozy room of floor-chairs. It should be pretentious as hell, but actually it’s rather charming. Owner Remy Lardinois splits his time between Pyongyang and Beijing, and Chill is a sideline for him, but plans for live music and film screenings, as well as its North Korean booze connection, suggest promise. After a few visits, however, we’ve yet to find Chill’s much-advertised Taedonggang, its rare North Korean imported beer. On experience, even at 50 RMB a pop, it is worth a taste, so put your name on the waiting list. The more readily available ginseng and blueberry-flavored North Korean liqueurs (25-35 RMB), on the other hand, should only be drunk as a bet. Thankfully, a massive Belgian-beer parade of Kwaks, Grimbergens, Achels (40-50 RMB) et al and some rather powerful cocktails (all 45RMB) offer some variety. The only downside is the food menu’s one-ingredient war against lactose intolerance; its choice of a half-dozen ‘paninis’ (dry, toasted baguettes 42-53RMB), all smothered in flavorless brie or mozzarella, is a grim one. Food aside, this bar is exemplary. Friday night’s ‘rock-paper-scissors’ deal (beat the waiter at said game and you’ll receive a second round on the house; lose and you pay) will bring in drinkers, but Chill deserves more.

No. 1 Jazz Café

Located near Ciqikou, No.1 Jazz Café is one of those bar that offers both coffee and dringks in Beijing. It is established by a self-proclaimed jazz aficionado in 2012, which is to provide a space for his fellow music lovers.

The hip café/bar consists of two floors. While the first floor ac...

Located near Ciqikou, No.1 Jazz Café is one of those bar that offers both coffee and dringks in Beijing. It is established by a self-proclaimed jazz aficionado in 2012, which is to provide a space for his fellow music lovers.

The hip café/bar consists of two floors. While the first floor acts a foyer and offers a bit more privacy and quiet, the second floor is more spacious and accommodates larger groups. The large plush couches and tasteful décor make the second floor an excellent place for happy hour cocktails or an afternoon coffee date. The second floor also offers private rooms that are tucked away behind curtains opposite of the bar.

In terms of it being a jazz bar, the café definitely lives up to its namesake. Platinum and gold records line almost every wall. On the first floor, the owner and his friends play impromptu shows for fun. In the background, jazz standards plays at just the right volume for a café setting. And as if that isn't enough, make sure you don't miss the café's pride and joy: a signed hat of the late Michael Jackson. Music is definitely the theme of this restaurant. 

Friends Cafe

Central Perk, the fictional coffee shop where the characters of Friends spent almost all their time, has finally opened in real life. A near-identical replica of the iconic '90s hangout has opened in a Beijing apartment complex, run by a Friends super fan named Du Xin—who actually prefers to go b...

Central Perk, the fictional coffee shop where the characters of Friends spent almost all their time, has finally opened in real life. A near-identical replica of the iconic '90s hangout has opened in a Beijing apartment complex, run by a Friends super fan named Du Xin—who actually prefers to go by "Gunther." Obviously, Du is really, really into Friends, claiming, “For me, it’s like a religion. It’s my life.”

That intense devotion to Friends is apparent from the detail Du put into his Central Perk, which has the same window and doorway as the “real” coffee shop, as well as that couch. Furthermore, the menu only features snack items mentioned on the show, complete with annotations that explain exactly when that cupcake appeared in an episode. Du has even constructed a replica of Joey and Chandler’s apartment next door to Central Park, featuring a foosball table, Baywatch DVDs, and the giant TV cabinet Joey built.

Du traces his love of Friends, as well as its massive popularity in China, to the “living way” of the characters, who spent all their time just hanging out with their best friends. So what do Friends devotees who flock to Du’s Central Perk do while similarly just hanging out? Watch Friends reruns, of course.

Ricci Cafe

Ricci Café is a good new after-school hangout in the heart of the university district. The spacious café has a modern college look to it, with long wooden tables, comfy red sofa cushions and large windows.

The coffee here is strong and delicious, all made from Arabica Roasters beans. We rec...

Ricci Café is a good new after-school hangout in the heart of the university district. The spacious café has a modern college look to it, with long wooden tables, comfy red sofa cushions and large windows.

The coffee here is strong and delicious, all made from Arabica Roasters beans. We recommend the spicy Sichuan mocha (RMB36) for those who prefer something sweet with a miniature kick of spice.The Ricci Bolognese (RMB48) is appetizing but doesn’t quite replicate the taste of Italy. The sauce is a much lighter version compared to the meat-heavy, authentic recipe, but the portion is hearty. The meat is half beef and half pork, with clean chopped tomato squares scattered throughout long locks of linguine.

The Ricci Waldorf salad (RMB45) comes with sliced apples, roasted chicken and walnuts in a light, sweet vinaigrette. The Sichuan spice-rubbed chicken focaccia sandwich (RMB45) is very popular, which is served on a cutting board with fried lotus chips. The fluffy focaccia is delectable, and the pulled chicken breast is soaked in Sichuan peppercorns and served with grilled long green Chinese peppers for a zesty burn.

Service is quick and efficient. With snug seating, highly caffeinated drinks and yummy food, it is definitely nice place for afternoon study sessions or catch-ups with friends.