celebration in Beijing
 

I will be working in China for a while in September and October. My husband will come out to join me for a couple of weeks. It will be our wedding anniversary just after he arrives in Beijing. Any ideas for a nice day out and a good restaurant for the evening?

Hi fiomar - I saw your other post too about a special restaurant for a treat. What kind of food did you want?Western? Japanese? Chinese? Chinese food is generally more fun with a lot of people. Have you browsed the forum at www.thatsbj.com, a local expat web forum? You'll find a lot of restaurant opinions there, as well as advice about other Beijing-related questions you may have. I also recommend picking up a copy of the Insider's Guide to Beijing, a guide book produced for expats by expats. But let us know what type of restaurant you're interested in - there are over 40,000

Ah! Posted too soon! There are over 40,000 restaurants in Beijing so I'm sure there is something for you!

Thanks for the suggestion I realise about the group meal thing lots of my work meals will be like tht but wanted ideas and suggestions for a really good day. Currently thinking about going to the great wall in the day and eating out in the evening. A friend has suggested tyhe Li family restaurant, would that be a good experience?

I think the Great Wall would make a really great day. Check out the Mutianyu section and avoid Badaling at all costs. In Sept/Oct the weather will be a bit cooler and a ramble up and down the steps very pleasant and lovely. Or, you could pack yourself a picnic and head out to the Fragrant Hills. Or, the Summer Palace (might be a bit crowded, though). There are also two charming temples outside of Beijing: Jietai Si (Ordination Terrace Temple) and Tanzhe Si (Temple of the Pool and Mulberry) that are a lovely daytrip. Don't forget that the first week of October is a major Chinese holiday - that would be a terrible time to visit any of these places, due to the hoards of tourists.

When you're here (are you here yet?) you could pick up a copy of the Insider's Guide to Beijing: Excursion Guide, which has lots and lots of ideas. It's RMB 50 and on sale here in Beijing. I know the Bookworm has them.

As for a special evening... I would probably skip the Li Family restaurant - it's a bit of a tourist trap. Mei Fu is a beautifully renovated courtyard restaurant that serves a cuisine "invented" by Mei Lanfang, a male 1930s Peking opera star who specialized in female roles. It's tucked into the hutongs behind Houhai, so you could stroll around the lakes before or after dinner, and perhaps have a pre- or post-paradial drink at Bed Bar. The meal is prix fixe and reservations are essential.

Or, you could hit Made in China at the Grand Hyatt for their excellent Peking duck and glammed-up Beijing fare. Expensive but oh-so-worth it.

Or, heat things up with hot pot. I like Ding Ding Xiang. They have individual hot pots and an Austin Powers-inspired decor. Delicious sesame sauce and buns, too!

If you're in the mood for Western food, I would try Alameda, a casual and contemporary restaurant that serves modern, Brazilian-Euro-Asian fusion cuisine. Market-fresh food, a prix fixe menu that changes daily. Delightful.

Thanks for your excellent suggestions. Not in Beijing yet but will be in a couple of weeks and will organise trip to the wall and a meal out for the day. i will be in Shanghai for the October holiday but my husband will be back home then.