Does anyone have restaurant suggestions for the lakes area? I'd prefer something less touristy, with nice atmosphere/view and good food, mid-range price.
thanks!

There are plenty of restaurants, bars, eateries along the shore of Qianhai (Front Lake), believe it's the western and northern shores.

If you go along Di'anmen Xidajie (Earthly Peace, Western Great Road), have the taxi driver let you off across from the entrance to Beihai Lake. There's a pleasant walkway along the shore of Qianhai and part of the pleasure is finding a restaurant to your liking. One of our favorites is the place (porbably north shore) which is on a boardwalk and it serves shish-kabob skewers of things cooked in front of you. Go at dusk and wait for evening to come around and watch the twinkling blue lights around the lake.

thanks so much for your response!!
i;m really looking forward to checking out this area, and appreciate your recommendations.

This area has already gone over the top (it never takes long in Beijing), but is still worth the visit. The very long-standing Kaorouji now offers lantern-lit waterborne dinners. There's a cluster of newer and more interesting places around the same location on the east side of the Qian Hai at the northern end near the bridge that separates it from the Hou Hai. But try Han Kejia further south on the east side and not too far from the southern entrance, which serves dishes of the Kejia (Hakka) minority and has a menu in English (it's popular with expats but still reasonably priced and very good.)

The translation of Di'an Men Xi Dajie (not that anyone ever does translate it, so it's pointless to ask for this as not even foreign residents will know what you are talking about) would be 'The Avenue to the West of the Gate of Earthly Peace.'

Peter N-H
http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html

Peter, thank you for the response. Like much of the world, it seems change is coming quickly to Beijing (I think more so?). Being someone who really enjoys the water (I live in Ft Lauderdale) the lakes area was very appealing to me. I will be sure to follow this, and your other recommendations. thanks so much.