Known as the "Lair of Queens" because two former Qing empresses once lived here, this space was also home to the infamous Empress Dowager Cixi and her niece Logyu. A large courtyard house with wisteria and crab-apple trees in the garden make this ideal for dining alfresco in the summer. Some of the dishes are flavored with tea leaves, and are accordingly named. Lu Yu zhucha, or "Lu Yu cooking tea," is the restaurant's signature dish: Lu Yu is the author of the ancient Book of Tea and the dish is stir-fried beef with chilies and tea leaves. Green-tea flavored noodles and oolong spareribs are also excellent choices. This quiet restaurant attracts people keen to experience a bit of Old Beijing.
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