Beijing Boyce

Last night, I had a T-bone steak so big that it needed a postal code. The place: Cafe de la Poste. The price: 96 kuai. The context: We were two ravenous souls in search of solid stomach filler after tasting 15 wines in western Beijing (writeup soon). Our slabs of meat came nicely cooked and with perfectly seasoned potatoes, thus providing an antidote for a wee too much Shiraz. (Thanks to WG for the suggestion.)

Last week, I parked on the deck at OT Lounge during happy hour and had a tasty glass of Cabernet-Shiraz (25 kuai, 5-8 PM daily; 35-45 kuai regularly) and a plate of Macanese-style beef noodles (28 kuai). This is a nice spot to chill out and watch life go by - the locals, the expatriate residents, the tourists loaded down with shopping bags, the traffic (well, maybe not the traffic). OT also offers regular live music inside.

I recently tried the lunch special at 1/5 Taverna, in 1949: The Hidden City. The mozzarella and tomato salad and the risotto both ranked as “OK.” What helps make the meal worth RMB68 is the restaurant’s ambiance - the sedate lighting, high ceilings, and natural materials (stone, brick, etc), as well as the grass and trees visible through the window, combine to lower workday stress.

I still think Revelations offers one of the best-value set lunches in town - and I emphasis lunch, since several people told me, “Hey, I went for dinner and it isn’t that cheap!” While the place no longer provides complimentary water when you arrive, RMB48 is still a good deal for homemade bread, soup or salad, and a main course (coffee can be tacked on, from RMB10).

Finally, another plug for Pacific Coffee, which offers its largest size of daily brew for RMB22, a tasty roast chicken and avocado panini for RMB22, and comfortable sofas and armchairs.

Updates

Luga’s: Shut down last week, this place has re-opened.

Enoteca: Opened two weeks ago, this place has closed, but hopes to be pouring wine again in a few days.