Bee brunch at The Intercontinental Hotel Sanlitun

Nestled in the heart of Beijing’s entertainment district – Sanlitun, on the third floor of The Intercontinental hotel is a popular steakhouse – Char bar & grill. The interior is warm, cozy, and spacious yet modern, with panoramic views of the Sanlitun area. The steakhouse not only offers classic and premium cuts but also a brunch menu (also known as bee brunch) and a four-course set lunch menu. Most hotels offer brunch on the weekends, but brunch is offered on weekdays and weekends at the Intercontinental hotel.

Brunch
RMB 268 net for 3 courses
RMB 298 net for 4 courses

Char 4 course lunch
RMB 388

I enjoyed it so much I dined at the restaurant for two consecutive days.

On the first day, I met up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. It was my friend that recommended this restaurant. My second visit was unplanned. I left my cardigan in the restaurant the day before, and I thought, since I have to go pick it up, why not bring a friend along for lunch.

We were given a little amuse-bouche to start – tuna salad on crackers, sundried tomato bread, and a complimentary cocktail (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Bee brunch 1

Starter
Pancake with Nutella, Orea, Caramelized Nuts, Honeycomb

Appetizer
Mozzarella, Pachino tomatoes, Rocket leaves, Lemon olive

Main course
Butter Chicken with Basmati rice

Lunch day 1

Starter
The iconic char salad
rocket leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, shaved pecorino, honey-infused balsamic dressing, grilled serrano ham

From the pot
Porcini mushrooms & Truffle soup
Herb Potatoes, Asparagus, Truffle dust

Mains
Australian grass-fed beef tenderloin M2+
Grilled cape grim 200 days grass-fed tenderloin, truffle croquet, green pepper glaze

Dessert
Very Berry
Strawberries, blueberries, sponge, mascarpone cream, crumbles

*With any order of steaks, customers are given a selection of 6 steak knives accompanied by a tray of 8 salt options such as fleur de sal, Himalayan salt, and black salt.

Lunch day 2

White tomato consommé
Sweet peas, roman tomatoes, croutons, organic seedlings

Silver cod
Grilled cod fillet, lime, caviar, seaweed dust, truffle croquet

Duck and honey
Crispy duck breast, honeycomb, asparagus, truffle, applewood smoke, cassis glace

Tiramisu
Mascarpone cream, espresso, dry sherry, sponge

Bee Brunch 2

Cold cuts
Lyonner, Salami, Ham, Cheese, Pickles

Steak & Eggs
Argentinean beef tenderloin, sunny side up, waffle fries, hollandaise

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All dishes were wonderfully presented and delicious. However, the Tiramisu was the highlight. It was rich, creamy, airy with a subtle sweetness and the right amount of bitterness from the coffee and cocoa powder -absolutely divine!

All in all, I must say I am impressed with the overall dining experience at Char bar & grill. The staff spoke English, and the service was attentive, with good quality food for a great price.

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Char Bar & Grill

Website: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/beijing/peghe/hoteldetail

Telephone: +86 010-85160062

Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. , 5: 30 p.m. – 10:00 p. m.

Address: No. 1 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Yun Summer Lounge

This beautiful chic oriental-inspired lounge, located on the 15th floor of the Peninsula hotel, offers classic and craft cocktails with sweeping views of Wangfujing. Guest can also enjoy an up-close view of the traditional pagoda roof design of the original building, which was constructed in 1987.

My friend and I visited the lounge on a weekday, so there were very few people. I love the quiet ambiance and upbeat lounge music.

I love the spacious layout and the simple yet sophisticated décor with color schemes that match the pagoda roof.

Virgin Mojito

Passion Cloud

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Tortilla Chips

Drinks and food we ordered: Frozen Strawberry Margarita, Virgin Mojito, Passion Cloud (Fresh Passion Fruit, Jasmine Tea, Jasmine Syrup), and Tortilla Chips (Avocado, Coriander, Lime, Chili).

My favorite mocktail is the Virgin Mojito (I don’t take alcohol). In my opinion, Peninsula’s Virgin Mojito is one of the best in Beijing. The sweetness and the lime are well-balanced with just the right amount of ice.

My friend enjoyed her frozen Margarita, it was like a sweet berry slushy. The Passion Cloud was sweet and refreshing with a lovely jasmine aftertaste. The tortilla chips with the avocado dip were a good accompaniment to the drinks.

This is an ideal place for sundowner drinks and socializing.

Yun Summer Lounge

Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/beijing/hotel-fine-dining/yun-summer-lounge

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday from 5:30pm to midnight

Friday and Saturday from 5:30pm to 1:00am

Telephone: +86 10 8516 2888 Ext 6752

The Peninsula Hotel

I treated my parents to a one-night stay at The Peninsula for their 37th anniversary. This is my first time staying at a Peninsula hotel.

The Peninsula Hotel Beijing is an all-suite hotel located in Beijing’s historic Wangfujing area. This luxurious hotel has two restaurants and a rooftop lounge. Jing restaurant and bar is a Michelin starred French restaurant, and Huang Ting offers Cantonese cuisine. The Yun summer lounge is located on the 15th floor, with views of the historic area.

I was slightly disoriented when I entered the hotel; the lobby resembled a mall because you’ll first notice the high-end boutiques. The reception desk is small and tucked in a corner; however, we were greeted by a friendly receptionist.

One highlight of the Peninsula is the “Peninsula time,” which allows guests to check-in as early as 6:00 a.m. and check out as late as 10:00 p.m.

The hotel has its own gallery showcasing a curated collection of specially commissioned paintings, sculptures, and photography. In addition, contemporary paintings and photography are also displayed throughout the hotel.

The gym is well equipped, and the pool is spectacular. It was clean, well-lit, with instrumental music playing in the background and comfortable deck chairs.

I corresponded with the hotel’s guest relations manager Katherine for my parent’s anniversary room arrangement. She was attentive when inquiring about my parents’ preferences. The flowers and cake prepared were based on my parents’ liking, and they even made a short video that played their favorite song. There was also a handwritten card. It was a lovely surprise for my parents.

I booked the deluxe suite with twin beds. The rooms are luxurious and spacious with a separate bedroom and living room and tastefully decorated with warm neutral and black color schemes and beautiful contemporary Chinese paintings. The big marble bathroom has a tub, an inset 19-inch TV, and a separate shower. In addition, the minibar was complimentary.

A feature in the room that stood out is the tablet technology. One can control lighting, room temperature, multimedia, TV, and order room service with a touch of a button. There is also a docking station that allows guests to connect their own media to the TV.

The only downside was the size of the twin beds. I thought they were a bit small.

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In-room dining

Oven Roasted Half Spring Chicken (RMB 160), Herb Roasted Potatoes (RMB 50), and Laksa Noodles (RMB 160)

The laksa noodles came in a rich, creamy, spicy coconut milk broth served with yellow noodles and rice vermicelli and a generous serving of prawns and clams. The flavors were spot on!

The roasted chicken and potatoes were well seasoned and cooked perfectly.

Breakfast at The Lobby

Breakfast is served in The Lobby. I was excited at the availability of gluten-free bread, which elevated my breakfast dining experience (I found out a few months ago that I am gluten intolerant). The buffet had a small spread. There was an assortment of bread, cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, cereals, congee, sausages, and bacon. There is also a made-to-order a la carte menu of hot dishes such as beef noodle soup, pancakes, eggs benedict, omelets, etc.

The poached egg with smashed avocado on gluten-free toast was done well. The beef noodle soup was packed with umami, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the beef was tender.

Hotel staff from all departments were friendly and polite. Everyone greets you with a smile. And not to mention the impeccable service. The guest relations manager Katherine and her assistant Ludi made an effort to make our stay comfortable and memorable. The Peninsula exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait to visit the other locations.

The Peninsula Hotel

Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/beijing/5-star-luxury-hotel-wangfujing

Telephone: +86 10 85162888

Address: 8 goldfish lane, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100006

Mo bar

Mo bar is perched on the fifth floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This stylish contemporary bar offers inventive cocktails and a spacious outdoor terrace with views of the Forbidden City.

The rich wood paneling and warm lighting decorated with leather seats make the perfect setting to enjoy their cocktails. There is even a flavor map that outlines each cocktail’s flavor profile.

Certain seating areas on the terrace require a minimum food consumption of RMB 2000 ($308). It gets busy on the weekends, so either go early or make a reservation.

It was a last-minute decision to go to the bar. We were lucky to get a seat on the terrace. The view was nice, but we could only see the rooftops of the historical buildings.

Service was slow, drinks came out slow, and the waiters’ attitude was not up to par for a high-class bar at a five-star hotel. Instead, they were casual, inattentive.

Original sin (RMB 128)

Peach, apricot, toasted oats, Michter bourbon, milk, lemon

Sweet and tangy with a hint of bitterness

Mogroni (RMB 98)

Seedlip spice 94, Seedlip grove 42, Campari syrup, Mancino vermouth Rosso

Beautiful presentation – bold and bitter

Mo Bar

Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/beijing/wangfujing/fine-dining/bars/mo-bar

Telephone: +86 (10) 8509 8850

Opening hours: 4:00 p.m. – midnight (Mon, Tues, Sun)
4:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. (Wed, Sat )

Address: No. 269 Wangfujing Street, Beijing, China, 100006

Ralph’s coffee

The latest addition to Beijing’s coffee scene is Ralph’s coffee by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren. Located in the heart of Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping village inside the Ralph Lauren retail store, this café serves coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and desserts. The establishment is relatively small, with six tables inside and four tables outside.

The chic retro green and white color schemed interior with marbled countertops and jazz music playing in the background reminisce of a cafe in New York. I love the relaxing vibe and smartly dressed baristas and waiters.

Coffee beans are available for purchase along with merchandise such as mugs, tote bags, and t-shirts.

The dessert menu is small, but the cakes and cookies come in a generous size. Your cake options are carrot cake, chocolate cake, brownies, new york cheesecake, and honey cranberry loaf cake. For cookies, you have chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter, jelly cookies, red velvet sandwich cookies, and oatmeal raisin cookies.

I ordered a chocolate cake (RMB 65) and an 85% dark chocolate drink (RMB 48), and my friend got a carrot cake (RMB58) and an Uji matcha latte (RMB 42).

The hot chocolate wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. I like mine thick and creamy, and this was the opposite. However, the chocolate cake is the chocolate cake I have been waiting for; it is decadent, moist with the right balance of sweetness. In my opinion, the best chocolate cake in town. This is now my go-to place if I have a hankering for chocolate cake.

The carrot cake had a good balance of sweetness and spice with a velvety cream cheese frosting. The Uji matcha latte was bold and creamy. My friend is a matcha fan, and she absolutely loved it.

I will definitely be making another visit to try their coffee and cookies.

Ralph’s cafe

Website: https://www.facebook.com/RalphsCoffeeSanlitun/

Telephone: +86 10-64155600

Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily

Address: Unit S6-10a on First Floor, Taikoo Li Sanlitun South, No.19 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District 100027 Beijing

Four Seasons Hotel

The five-day labor day holiday was just around the corner, and I thought, what better way to spend it than a staycation at the Four Seasons Hotel.

The Four Seasons Hotel is located in the embassy district, with restaurants and a shopping mall within walking distance.

As one of the more expensive hotels in Beijing, I had high expectations for it.

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When I entered the lobby, the first thing I noticed was the size; it was smaller than most hotels. A beautiful display of various flower arrangements adorns the entrance. The check-in procedure was quick and smooth. The receptionist was friendly and spoke proficient English. I was upgraded to a premier room which is located on the 21st floor.

All rooms overlook a 20 story inner atrium with a wall decorated with 400 stainless-steel butterflies designed by Australian artist Jayne Dyer.

The hotel boasts two 1 Michelin star restaurants; Cai Xi Yuan, an upscale Cantonese restaurant, and Mio, a contemporary Italian restaurant.

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The room is spacious with standard five-star hotel amenities such as a Nespresso machine and a minibar. The bed was firm but comfortable; the armchair and ottoman next to it was the perfect place to wind down and watch TV. But, disappointingly, the TV was somewhat small with limited channels.

The cleanliness of the room could be improved; there was dust on the countertops and a handprint on the window. Most hotels I have been to equip the rooms with a Bose Bluetooth speaker; the room had a Panasonic iPod dock with poor sound quality.

The tub is one of the highlights for me. It does not only have a great view, It is spacious and comfortable, allowing you to have a nice deep soak. A bath pillow is provided too. The toiletries are by Atelier Cologne. Unfortunately, due to covid, the hotel does not provide toothbrushes and shavers in the room but are available at the guest’s request.

There is a turndown service and a variety of pillow options to choose from based on your preference. You can also have your newspaper of choice delivered to you at a specified time in the morning.

I did not want to leave the room, so I ordered room service for the whole duration of my stay. For dinner, I ordered a nasi goreng (fried rice) with chicken satay (RMB 178 / $27) accompanied by a mango sago pudding (RMB 78/ $12). For breakfast, I got the french toast (RMB 118 / $12) with a cappuccino (RMB 68/ $10).

The food did not justify the price. It was good but average. I could get better food from the restaurants across the street.

Overall, I am not impressed; it was not a memorable stay for me. However, there were aspects that I liked, such as the tub, the views, and the friendly staff.

Four Season Hotel

Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/beijing/

Telephone: 86-10-5695-8888

Address: 48 Liang Ma Qiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125

Cafe Flo, Sanlitun branch, Beijing

Cafe FLO is the new casual dining space from Groupe Flo, who also owns Brasserie Flo, Beijing longest standing French restaurant. There are two other branches located in Parkview Green Mall and World Trade Center mall. Each branch has a slightly different menu and different decor.

When I entered the cafe, I was taken with the decor of the restaurant. The whole interior was aesthetically pleasing. The dark wooden beam columns along with the different shades of blue accentuated the ambiance of a Parisian bistro.

I was at Cafe Flo on two different occasions. One was for brunch and the other dinner. I will share both experiences.

As stated on the menu, all brunch meals come with French imported butter, croissant, and Bonne Maman jam. The croissant was buttery and flaky. The baguette emanated a subtle sweet fragrance, the kind you get from a freshly baked bread.

Brunch du Chef C. 100g grilled beef tenderloin with truffled scrambled egg, bacon, pork sausage and sauteed baby potato

150RMB

In my opinion, the price for this dish was a tad bit steep. It just had the usual ingredients for a full breakfast meal. It was good, but nothing was outstanding that would justify the price. I was not a fan of the scrambled egg. It was not because it did not taste good, but it was the way it was made. The French-style scrambled egg has a more creamy consistency with tiny curds. I prefer my eggs “dry”.

Saumon norvégien. Norwegian salmon topped with sauce Vierge with a side of cauliflower puree accompanied by asparagus.

98RMB

The salmon was cooked just right. The sauce did not overpower the natural sweetness of the salmon. The cauliflower puree was a good companion to the food.

Red velvet chocolate

I did not know what to expect from this drink. It was my first-time hearing about it, and I am a big fan of red velvet cake. In my mind, I thought maybe it would taste somewhat like a red velvet cake (plus it looked stunning in the picture). The drink was a little too sweet for me, and it tasted like a hot strawberry candy drink with milk. Some people may like it, but it did not fancy my palate.

Vienna coffee

Two shots of strong espresso topped with whipped cream with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

This was an enjoyable coffee. You take a sip of the coffee with the whipped cream, and it gives the coffee a light creamy sweetness, and you get this lovely bittersweet flavor with each sip.

Soupe de champignons
Creamy mushroom soup with marinated mushrooms

48RMB

The mushroom soup was delicious. This substantial warm-hued soup was a perfectly balanced blend of good quality fresh ingredients complemented by a dollop of cream.

Frites de patates douces

Sweet potato fries with garlic aioli

25RMB

These sweet potato fries were fried to perfection. The sweet potato used were pleasantly sweet – just a basket of deep-fried goodness!

Spaghetti au boeuf

Spaghetti with minced beef, Provençale sauce, Parisian mushroom, and Parmesan

79RMB

The spaghetti bolognese was somewhat different from the American or Italian style. It was light, creamier, and smoother in texture. There was not a lot of ground meat. I did enjoy the dish, it was flavorful.

Overall, I enjoyed the food. However, unlike its more famous sister restaurant, Brasserie Flo, the service at Cafe Flo lacked professionalism. The waiters were all gathered at a counter, in the middle of the cafe, in some sort of discussion. I raised my hand to get the attention of one of the waiters for the bill, but no one saw me until I called out to one of them. Shouldn’t there be at least one waiter at different corners of the restaurant? That was my only disappointment.

Al Safir, Middle Eastern Cuisine

Al Safir is my go-to place for middle eastern food – good value for good food. The restaurant is not big; there are 6 tables inside. When the weather is warmer, there will be tables outside to accommodate more customers. Al Safir is not as fancy as the other middle eastern restaurants in Beijing, but the food is one of the best. The menu has a good selection along with pictures which are very helpful when ordering especially for those who are not familiar with the dishes.

I always order the lentil soup when I’m here. It’s hearty and savory. The lemon juice adds a zing to the flavor. The vegetable soup was not too bad, nothing exceptional.

The fattoush is a great tangy palate-cleansing salad. It is a toasted pita bread salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and cucumber. I love the crunchiness and juiciness of the salad. The Moutabal (eggplant and tahini dip) on the other hand was too sour for me. So I did not have too much of it.

The Bamya bel lahmeh is popular Arabic okra with lamb stew. It is a strong tomato-based stew but not offsetting. You can have it with rice or on its own as soup. The kebab platter consists of beef, lamb, and chicken. The meat was tasty and succulent. There are two dips for the meat, one is a tomato and onion dip, and the other is some kind of mayo dip which is absolutely delicious, it gives the meat an extra boost in flavor.

One of my favorite rice dishes is the Kabsa chicken. The chicken is tender and comes right off the bone. It is lightly seasoned, so it still retains its natural chicken flavor. There are yogurt and a special sauce that you can add to the rice for more flavor. The saffron rice is just plain saffron rice ..haha.

I highly recommend this place!

Brunch at Toast, The Orchid

My friend and I had brunch at this lovely rustic boutique hotel restaurant tucked away in a hutong located in the ‘old city’ part of Beijing (Gulou). This hotel is pretty hidden, so I had to use a map on my phone to locate it. The hotel also has a pickup service for a fee if needed.

I’m used to dining in a more contemporary setting at the more modern busy part of the city, so dining at the toast was a refreshing experience. There is an indoor and terrace dining area. There is a warm, cozy feel to the restaurant. Most of the waiters are foreigners, so one does not have to worry about language. Since it was a lovely day, we opted for the terrace. I could see the bell tower from the terrace along with the rooftops of the Chinese-style houses. I liked that the surrounding was adorned with greenery. Shortly after we placed our order, it started to get windy, so we had to go indoor.

The brunch menu is a tight menu of Mediterranean and Western inspired dishes. I ordered a Cappuccino and The Full Chinglish (seared spinach, a poached egg, Andy’s homemade maple sausages, flatbread, potato, and seasonal fruits). My friend ordered the Cake for Breakfast (organic rye flour buttermilk pancakes served with homemade cinnamon syrup and seasonal fruits) and cookies with roasted almonds. The ingredients were fresh. Both the Full Chinglish and pancakes were delicious. The only issue I had was that the spinach had a little too much salt on it. The cookies were a little disappointing. They were average.

Overall, we had an enjoyable brunch, and I am looking forward to my next trip!

The Orchid

#65 Baochao Hutong

Guloudong road

Dongcheng District

Beijing

北京市东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同65号

+(86) 10-85659295

http://www.theorchidbeijing.com/

PAULANER BRÄUHAUS

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

The German restaurant, Paulaner Brauhaus, at the Kempinski Hotel is my go-to place for good German food. The restaurant has an expansive beer garden and a large indoor Bavarian decorated dining area. It also has its own microbrewery.

Complimentary bread basket

The bread basket I was served consists of three types of bread – Pretzels, rye bread, and oatmeal bread, accompanied by three different spreads. The liverwurst and the homemade butter was absolutely divine with the bread.

Altdeutsche Tomatensuppe
Traditional German tomato soup with rice and meat dumplings

A nice hearty bowl of soup for a chilly day! The tomato soup was thick and tangy. I don’t think I’ve ever had a tomato soup as rich as this.

Halbes Wiesnhendl
Roasted half chicken

The roasted chicken was a disappointment. The chicken was dry and somewhat bland.

The potato salad was decent, however, in my opinion, there was too much lemon juice in the dressing that it overpowered all other flavors.

Schnitzel von der Poulardenbrust
Vienna style Chicken schnitzel

Schnitzel perfection! The chicken was tender and juicy, the crust was flavorful and crunchy. The lemon juice gives the chicken a nice tangy flavor. The Schnitzel comes with tomato salad, cranberries and pan-fried potatoes with bacon and onions.

Cheesecake

Rich and moist! Lovely!

The prices of the dishes are little high compared to other German restaurants in Beijing. It would cost around RMB500 ( $75 ) for two people. However, if you love German food, this is the place to be!