(Ecns.cn)—We call the city an international metropolis for plenty of reasons, but one of the best is surely that Beijing offers a fat lot of choices in world cuisines.
To save you the trouble of going online or asking around, here are some recommendations for a night you feel like Italian.
1) PREGO, Xicheng District
This is a restaurant that captures the Renaissance in its decoration. Italian quotes are embedded al fresco which means you won't even get bored staring at the wall, in fact especially when you are staring at the wall.
The open kitchen reveals inviting pizzas sizzling in the wood charcoal oven, and all the bread you order is freshly baked. It's recommended to try some pre-meal rolls and slices… they are the best!
The salads in PREGO just tend to have more body, usually coming with fresh mushrooms,boiled eggs and ham slices, just the way you'd expect inany Italian restaurant.
Address: 1st floor, Westin Hotel, 9B Financial Street, Xicheng District.
Reservation: 010-66068866
2) Barolo, Chaoyang
Named after a wine common to Italy's Piedmont region, Barolo focuses on classic fare. This is the right place for a glass of vintage Piemont wine.
Barolo has added modern flare to a selection of traditional Italian dishes. "Order a beefsteak, or seafood spaghetti," experienced customers advised. A meal at Barolo shows you just how good simple food can be.
Salad leaves tossed with morsels of Ubriaco, a 'drunken' cheese from the Veneto region, and a parmesan risotto served with freshly shaved black truffles, are finest examples of what a difference attention to details can make.
Reserve a booth in advance, if you prefer some privacy.
Address: 2nd floor, RitzCarlton Hotel, No.87 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District.
Reservation: 010-59088888-8151
3) Danieli's, Chaoyang
Tucked in the St. Regis, this is widely considered the best Italian restaurant in Beijing, not just for the food, but also the Byzantine style décor that graces the inner the dining hall. It's the top recommendation for a hot date.
Forget about the range of pasta choices, though they are the most popular dishes in the restaurant; the cream of mushroom soup, white pea vegetable soup and the bass tossed in lemon butter will prove irresistible … for good reason.
Address: 2nd floor, St. Regis Hotel, No.21 Jianguomen Outer Street, Chaoyang District.
Reservation: 010-64606688-2441 8008103288
4) Ristorante Sadler, Chongwen
The two-star Michelin chef Claudio Sadler's restaurant impresses with his authentic Milan dishes such as fettuccine rabbit ragout and limoncello parfait meringue. Go during lunchtime for the great value - 200 RMB set.
Address: No.23 Qianmen Dong DaJie, Qianmen, Chongwen District.
Reservation: 010-65591399
Tip: The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Monday.
5) Scott's Family Italian Cuisine and Bar, Chaoyang
Though Scott's is not easy to find to find, don't assume it's a gloomy hole in the wall. Every Thursday, a promotional 68RMB prix fixe including soft drinks from 6:30- 10:00pm attracts a big crowd. Many of the dishes on the menu are available at the buffet.
The penne puttanesca (from 28RMB,) the veal saltimbocca (88RMB) and the Caesar salad (25RMB) with iceberg lettuce should be avoided.
Address: No.41 Xingfucun Lu Sanlitun,Chaoyang
Reservation: 010-64160600
