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Nanxincang for Art, Good Drink and Great Food

Nanxincang was once a granary for  the imperial family and court   officials during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Alongside Dongsi Shitiao, just inside the East Second Ring Road, the granary, a series of graceful old warehouses, dates to the Yongle period (1403Ð24 AD) and reflects the simple but elegant architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.

Now, the 600-year-old imperial granary has been transformed into one of Beijing's latest popular restaurant quarter and entertainment venues complete with three art galleries, an audio book shop, a teahouse and several bars and restaurants. As the old buildings are too precious to be exposed to open flames, its dozen restaurants are housed in newly built pingfang (one-storey buildings of a traditional style). Architects, archaeologists and preservationists were consulted before construction to ensure that the new construction was appropriate for the scene.

Beijing Cook is a top restaurant in the area; it features Shanghai cuisine, which is not always easily found in the capital. Try the restaurant's affordable classical vegetarian noodles (25 yuan) and drunken chicken (28 yuan). At Fanqian Fanhou, home-style dishes (recommended by various Taiwanese celebrities) such as minced meat and water convolvulus (a twining plant, 32 yuan) are served. The vegetables are finely chopped to resemble little green rings, giving instant appeal to a traditional dish. Braised turnips with dried scallops (42 yuan) "melt-in-your-mouth," infused with wholesome marine flavours. Rain Club's open pantry displays organic vegetables which the kitchen is willing to cook to your order. The carnivorous will be pleased with the restaurant's curry chicken (68 yuan), featuring satisfyingly crispy-skinned juicy chicken, stuffed with spicy curried vegetables. Toward the back side of Nanxincang is the ambitious 600 Fusion Food, whose menu is dominated by Japanese fare such as nigiri (10 yuan) and hand rolls (16 yuan) made with fresh salmon and tuna. If in the mood for western food, head towards Gourmet, a quaintly decorated French restaurant. The recommendation here is the well-executed chef's special assorted red tuna (180 yuan).

Add: Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District

东城区东四十条