Food and drinks

Beijing Heaven Supermarket survives

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Heaven Supermarket gone?

On 8 september 2016 The Beijinger reported the closure of Heaven Supermarket on Xindong Lu. “Everyone’s favorite half-bar/half-liquor store Heaven Supermarket was shut down this morning as a dispute arose between the management of the popular 24-hour Sanlitun watering hole and its landlord.” Moving trucks and piles of boxes could be seen.
See:
The Beijinger article

I pass there often but usually fairly quickly so I did not notice anything.
Intrigued I went to have a check on 13 September and … it was open again. I asked one of the senior staff I know what time they would really move. His answer was simple: we don’t move but we are looking at a second location.
So whatever dispute there was, the Heaven will remain there, at least as for now.

It has been a real institution in Beijing. It opened in 2011 and is a favorite with many foreigners and Chinese. Service is basically nil, you order and pay for the food at the cashier and take yourself the cold drinks out of the fridges. Except if you buy bottles of wisky or other liquor. Somehow they figured out a way that your food does arrive at your table: in the past that was improvized but now they use numbers.
And no, all the imported beers (immense choice) were genuine (probably parallel import). And really really cheap. I did buy some whisky there time ago, never had a fake. But yes, there are many fakes around in Beijing. Food was actually pretty OK while I always wondered about sanitary conditions. I compared it to “Beijing Railway Station” with the crowds coming and going. At one stage they took over the whole pavement in Xindong Lu, till the chengguan stopped that (everywhere actually).

A new location in the making

So what about the new location? See the pic of the poster they show.

160913-heavens

I have to go and check where that could be because it seems right on the left side of D-One Sports Bar. Not sure there is an vacant space there. If they would go there it could become a big competition for Legend Beer and D-One.

Music and more at Beer Mania

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Beer Mania, the Belgian bar restaurant on Sanlitun Nan Lu is a great place for Belgian beer (incredible range), reasonable food and snacks. And very often a music band playing.

On 16 July listening and drinking, and seeing back one of our Rotaractors playing in the band.
On 21 July we also had a Rotaract social evening there (with music!) and some friends joined the crowd. Another band.

Another occasion with a friend who tried the mussels: reaaaal good (10 July)
On a recent day, enjoying the newly arrived Westmalle Double on tap (2 September).
So, when thirsty and looking for some good music, you know where! Thierry it is!

My favorite pizza in Beijing?

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

There are for sure some other good places but right now my preference goes to La Pizza, in the back of 3.3 in Sanlitun. Prices reasonable.
Another great Italian I discovered is Bottega, in front of 3.3 in the hidden alley of Sanlitun Street. Another class, also pizzas but rather special dishes. La Pizza is the “normal” pizza.

 

Sorry for The Tree, you come second as for now for pizza.
Both restaurant are usually packed, so better arrive early.

And taking a funny picture in the supermarket under Taikooli…

Legend Beer: new kid on the block, Gongti Xi Lu

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I had been wondering what was going on with all the construction at the Thai restaurant at the West Gate of Workers Stadium. Well, now I know… Thanks to my old friend Adam who now works there.
The former building is now split into the Thai Restaurant (name I can never remember) and the new Beer Pub German style, Legend Beer.

I went over with chef Renaat Morel for an “inspection” just before its official opening. We were impressed by the facilities. A Chinese brew master with over 20 years experience runs the microbrewery (sparling brewery installation) that serves some great beers. Also all that is needed for an excellent German crispy pork knuckle: I tried it on Father’s Day, fully approved.

They have a snooker corner, private room and large outdoor area with TV screens (next to Babyface, currently AGAIN under renovation).
As I am currently on an “alcohol-free diet” I will explore more the beers later on. I like the “Workers Stadium West”, tasty, not too strong, nice flavor.
Reasonable prices indeed. See some of their dishes.

Rotaract Sanlitun at Smokeyard Restaurant

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On 16 May we tried for the first time a new location in Sanlitun Nan Lu: the Smokeyard.

My evaluation: nice and cozy interior, nice decoration, quiet corner on 2fl for us to meet. Surprisingly with a decoration that looks like a knockoff of the Rotary sign!
As for the food, not convinced yet. I tried the baby ribs, the meat was not tender while the taste was OK. Much better in other locations such as HomePlate BBQ and D-One Sports Bar where the meat falls from the bones and is so tender. Here, a lot of fork and knife work to do. The pizza looked nice, so did some of the hamburgers but I need to try. Prices are very reasonable. They quickly ran out of their home-brewed beer, did we drink so much?

One more good meeting for the Rotaract Sanlitun and we will come back here for sure.
Sadly, some of the Rotaractors shown will be leaving us soon.