A special birthday party

The May Babies Party in Ossie was on Saturday 13 May to celebrate the birthdays of William, Peter and Veronica. Some 40 friends joined the lively party with the free flow of beer, wine and snacks.
The great thing about the party was that many people knew each other, quite a number being part of our Old China Hands Monthly Lunch.

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Ossie (Aussie) Restaurant & Bar (澳西酒庄&餐吧)

At Aussie Wine Bar they serve an array of wines, beers and authentic culinary dishes ranging from traditional western food to Outback Aussie Steaks. Ossie is the “official” name as Aussie was not legally accepted in Beijing…
To reach: very close to Guangqumenwai subway station, Line 7 exit B
See: https://www.facebook.com/aussiewinebar/
For me the first time to visit the bar but all were impressed with the service of Steve and the staff.

Best Belgian food

Belgian best cuisine in Beijing: Morel’s Restaurant for sure. The other “Belgian” locations are great too but have a different focus. In Morel’s it is simply rich and great Belgian food. As some say: the best French food you find in … Belgium. I am not a fan of the large and expensive dishes where we need to find the tiny morsels of food (typical for “Nouvelle Cuisine” or so-called famous chefs). We like it copious. Also, those tiny pieces: before you actually get the taste, it is gone.

Some of the dishes

Of course they have a special selection of Belgian beers but the wine list is also recommended.
Mussels are very popular and the Chinese guests love them, and yes, most patrons now are … Chinese.
For me, the signature dish is still the gratinated endive with ham, cheese, mashed potatoes and more. In Belgium we call it chicon and not endive.

A dish from my hometown Ghent is “Waterzooi de poulet à la Gantoise”. Warning! The chicken dish is as the chicon one very “filling”, so don’t even think ordering something on the side… The dish also exists made with fish.
See here more:
https://www.rtbf.be/tv/emission/detail_sans-chichis/les-recettes/article_waterzooi-a-la-gantoise?id=5857&emissionId=38
And:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterzooi
“Soup-base of egg yolk, cream and thickened vegetable broth. The stew itself contains chicken, vegetables including carrots, onions, celeriac, leeks, Potatoes and herbs such as parsley, thyme, bay-leaves and sage.”

I only eat a (good) steak in Morel’s. I take the best cut, usually with béarnaise. And Belgian fries, of course. The meat is sourced by the chef from the farm he personally knows. No funny ingredients nor treatment, just pure beef.
Bon appetit! Smakelijk!

Location of Belgian best cuisine in Beijing

Morel’s restaurant & café, opposite of Worker’s Gymnasium north gate, close to Subway Line 2 Dongsishitiao Station.
In Chinese:
地址：北京莫劳龙玺西餐厅（工人体育馆北门对面，春秀路路口西北角），北京市东城区新中街 红五楼一层，工人体育馆北门对面