m_and_d

We are leaving for China in 2 weeks. We have a reservation at the Family Li Restaurant for our first evening in Beijing. Any thoughts on whether we should keep this reservation.

Also, even though we are going on a tour, we are arriving one day ahead of the tour. Any recommendations for a tour guide that will take us interesting places that the tour will not cover?

Thanks for any recommendations.

Cilla_Tey

We ate there in 1998 and it was an amazing culinary experience. Do not cancel the reservation.

tower

m and d..how about some more info in Family Li..what part of town,etc. Thanks.

Stu T.

tourista

I have also read good things about Family Li Restaurants, and we are going to China in October. Have you been able to make dinner reservations on your own via telephone?

hawaiiantraveler

ditto the mroe info on this restaurant!

Cilla_Tey

It's in the hutong area and in an old building. The grandfather I think used to cook for the emperor and you'll be served exquisite imperial cuisine, many many courses but bite size serves. The host (an elderly gentleman) used to be a mathematics professor and he will explain the dishes to you. It's a tiny restaurant or rather you will be sitting in their living room and from memory only about 10 to 12 guests max.

2seeds

My husband and I ate there while in Beijing in December. The restaurant is great the poster before me describes it well. If you are lucky Mr. Li will sit with you for a while while you eat. We didn't get that chance as we came too late and he already went to bed!

tower

Who at least has a phone number and address for Family Li? Please share.

Stu T.

hawaiiantraveler

something I found

http://digbig.com/4nbmw

Aloha!

tourista

I decided to just pick up the phone and give it a try. The number is 86 10 66 18 01 07. They spoke perfect English.

2seeds

Keep in mind it's not an easy place to find... As mentioned before it's in a Hutong. Make sure they call you a cab when you are ready to leave. You'll never find one on your own and they are happy to do it.

m_and_d

Thanks for all the input. We will definately keep the reservation. I e-mailed the hotel that we are staying at and had them make the reservation for us. The address is 11 Yang Fang Hutong.

ekscrunchy

I am also wondering about this restaurant; from Frommer's guide to Beijing:

"Elaborately presented but seldom appetizing, dishes cooked in Beijing's much-hyped Imperial style are one of the city's biggest scams. Famous Imperial restaurants...." including Family Li are set in picturesque surroundings but "charge far too much for bad food and are therefore not included in this book."

Author has lived in China off and on for 17 years and is fluent in Mandarin.

Any thoughts from those of you in the know?

If you recommend, how far in advance would be good to book.....??

petitepois

I hate to be a major naysayer, which is why I haven't commented on this thread before, but I agree with Frommer's. I would never recommed Li Family restaurant. IMO, it is a waste -- of time, money and calories. But, to each his own!

ekscrunchy

Thanks, Petitepois...I think I will give it a miss.

tower

EK...I received vry good reviews from three different sets of people who have been there in the past two years....so we're going through with our reservation...let you know when I see you in Shanghai.
Stu T.

ekscrunchy

Stu, thanks. Your plans prompted me to ask about the place after I read that blurb in Frommer's. It will be an experience, and many of the reviews are positive.

Hopefully we will get lots of good eating tips on the recent thread I began this morning about eating in Beijing!
I will do one on Shanghai as well.