This was published 7 years ago
Where to eat in Beijing, China: Chef Dominique Martinez
Chef Dominique Martinez.
BITES
Dominique Martinez, Beijing
French-born Dominique Martinez heads up a team of nearly 90 Chinese and international chefs at the newly refurbished Peninsula Beijing. Martinez, who previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Luxembourg, Germany and Barbados, has introduced a "farm-to-table" concept, with The Peninsula Beijing now working directly with 22 certified farms in China that supply sustainably nurtured produce.
Peking duck is a signature culinary specialty that is indisputably the dish of choice for hosts when entertaining in Beijing.
FAVOURITE TABLE
Mercante Restaurant. It is a small, fine dining restaurant in a tiny huton. It serves authentic and comforting Italian dishes and has a great selection of Italian produced wines. Go to 4 Fangzhuanchang Hutong, Beijing
LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
Coloured dumplings. Different natural ingredients give the skins a rainbow assortment of colours. It is not a new concept but I just discovered it with my family last year. We had them at Baoyuan Dumpling Restaurant, which is East of Beijing. Vegetable juice is used to make them orange, purple and green. Go to 6 Maizidian Jie near Nongzhanguang Bei Lu
BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?
Black Sesame Kitchen is a traditional hutong kitchen, founded by Serve the People – a Stir-fried Journey Through China author and cook, Jen Lin-Liu. It is the best place to learn traditional Chinese cooking. As well as cooking classes, there are bi-monthly communal wine 'n' dine parties which gives a glimpse into the family-style dining we have here in China. See blacksesamekitchen.com
MUST-TRY DISH
While in Beijing, everyone has to try Beijing Peking Duck – a signature culinary specialty that is indisputably the dish of choice for hosts when entertaining. At The Peninsula Beijing, we prepare an average of 20 barbequed ducks each day, with up to 40 being served on banquet days. Beijing pancakes are also very popular with locals. They have the pancakes for breakfast, lunch and sometimes even for dinner and usually it is made of bean, rice or other ingredients such as wrapped vegetables or deep-fried biscuit.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE
Home Plate in the Sanlitun area: an amazing Texas barbecue restaurant and a great place for families to go. See homeplate bbq.com
A BIG NIGHT OUT
I would suggest starting the evening at Moonshine Whiskey and Craft Cocktail bar in Sanlitun then to move to Blue Note in the Dongcheng District to listen to some great jazz music. Moonshine go to 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Bei Lu; see bluenotebeijing.com
BEST TIME TO VISIT
June and September are the best times to visit; summer in Beijing is very hot so try to avoid it. June and September also fall in the harvest season, so they are a great months to try the best fruits and vegetables.
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