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Typical Chinese Luxury

For a taste of the good old days in Beijing’s nightlife, take a chance on Ken de Rouge, a new luxurious Chinese restaurant found in Houhai. Beat the tourist season and Olympic crowds by going there now.

A wide open field of view from the first floor easily reminded me of days when land in the city was not so expensive and dining was a personal thing. You could not have imagined that your privacy would be invaded in some of those old, narrow and crowded restaurants. Here in Ken de Rouge, you need not worry about that.

But Ken de Rouge is also interesting, because of its semi-open kitchen where you can watch how their chefs craft their delicate dishes.

There are also private rooms on the second floor. A seat near the window will gift you with a broad view of Houhai. All the neon lights will make you wonder whether you’re in New York or old Shanghai instead.

The restaurant’s lemon sardine, at 38 yuan, is not as oily as you think. They even have some pears, mangos and other fruit at the end of the cup. When you put a sardine in your mouth, they taste smooth and salty. The fruit, however, make the small dish a little bit sweet and juicy.

There’s the burning beef at 78 yuan. The main ingredient is cows' tails. As soon as you put a bite into your mouth, the bones and meat separate. Smoother than ordinary beef, it is much lighter and healthier: worth a try.

Take your girlfriend there if she has a typical old Chinese luxury taste.