Xixi Cheng, Beijing Foodies founder, shares the best foodie havens
Text by Jennifer Thomé and Xixi Cheng, Photo by Sui

Everyone loves food, wine, and charity, but who has time to do all three in the city that never rests? The Foodies do! At their monthly dinners, foodies from all walks of life come together to eat a great meal, and if they want, donate some money to charity. If you’d like to join these free-wheeling, fun-loving flock of foodies on their next culinary adventure, email bjfoodies@gmail.com and ask to be included on their list today. And until the next event, check out some of the venues they’ve indulged for a cause in at their previous dinners!

UNION BAR and GRILL

Union was our favorite all-American foodie feast! Union is not only a consistent option for our back-home favorites. The seating around the bar is perfect for watching a game of rugby, F1 and football, in the good company of hearty American fare and well-made drinks. Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-midnight. S6-31, 3/F, Bldg 6, Sanlitun Village, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6415 9117) 优年美式餐厅, 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village6号楼3层S6-31

HATSUNE

There is no substitute for hip Californian Japanese dining in the capital. Hatsune is the go-to restaurant for many of us in the city and deservingly so. Owner Alan Wong has successfully created restaurants and dishes that can cater to every foodie taste. The Motorola roll is legendary and secret menu items like the Japanese burrito are a must-try. Our foodie feast at Hatsune raised over RMB 8,000 for The Library Project. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. 1) 2/F, Heqiao Bldg C, 8A Guangzhou Lu, Chaoyang District (6581 3939) 隐泉日本料理，朝阳区光华路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层; 2) S8-30 (Opposite Element Fresh), Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6415 3939) 朝阳区三里屯路19号The Village南区8号楼S8-30

MARE

Mare is the institution that introduced Beijing market to Spanish food. The cuisine, the setting, and the ambience make it the perfect business lunch or dinner with a significant other. Owner Heather is always testing her dishes and is incredibly dedicated to following the traditional recipes she learned to make while in Spain. In short: there’s a reason this restaurant has lasted: its authentic delicious tapas are some of the best you’ll find in the city. Daily noon-11.30pm. 1/F, E-Tower, 12C Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6595 4178/2890) 朝阳区光华路丙12号数码01大厦1层古老海西餐厅

KRO’S NEST

Our ‘valentines day’ foodie feast at Kro’s included heart shaped pizzas and root bear floats. Kro and his team are truly dedicated to using the best ingredients possible. As a matter of fact, Kro’s uses at least ten barrels of fresh tomatoes a day for their tomato sauce, and only use imported French cheese to top their pies. We love Kro’s Nest because it’s one venue that does bigger and better! Mon-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sun 10-1am. 35 Xiaoyun Lu (Opposite Renaissance Beijing Chaoyang Hotel, next to Kou Fu Ju restaurant), Chaoyang District (8391 3131) 乌巢, 朝阳区霄云路35号 (国航大厦万丽酒店对面, 口福居旁); 2) Daily 10-2am (kitchen closes 11pm). Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (across from Salsa Caribe), Chaoyang District (8523 6655) 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (卡利宾拉丁舞俱乐部对面)

SSAM

Before SSAM, we would never have considered using the adjective ‘molecular’ to describe Korean food. We didn’t even know the two could exist in the same sentence! But that’s exactly what chef and owner Andrew Ahn has done by adding innovative twists on Korean classics. Dishes here are an experience, and a fun way to taste traditional Korean food in a whole new way. The location is hard to find for first-timers, but it definitely won’t be the next time you come back. And the next time, and the time after that…Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10.30pm. B1-238 Tower 1, Sanlitun Soho, Chaoyang District (5935 9475) 朝阳区三里屯Soho1号楼B1-238室

NOLA

Nola is a super cute eatery that that is sure to please many Foodies – the eatery feels like a homey holiday cabin you could spend your whole weekend in. The restaurant features New Orleans style cuisine, like the po’ boy sandwich. The upstairs terrace was a perfect location for our summer foodie feast! Whether it’s warming up with a glass of mulled wine during the winter or having a lazy afternoon on their terrace in the summer, Nola gives Foodies a good reason to head to the Ritan area. Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-11pm. 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Chaoyang District (8563 6215)  朝阳区秀水南街11号

ALAMEDA

Alameda‘s set lunch in itself has established a cult-like following that leaves walk-in customers waiting in a very long line, surrounded by the bustling chitchat, floor-to-ceiling glass decor, and minimalist setting which are even more perfect on a sunny day! But even on a bad day, the comfortable vibe paired with creative, innovative, well-presented starters and mains will turn that frown upside down. Daily noon-3pm, 6-10.30pm. Sanlitun Beijie (beside the Nali Mall), Chaoyang District (6417 8084) 朝阳区三里屯北街

ROOM

Our BJ Foodies two-year anniversary was held at ROOM and almost 200 addicts attended the feast. Room’s playful and arty space, attentive staff and adventurous dishes have no match in the city, and neither did the funds we raised that night: a whopping RMB 12,000 plus for Compassion for Migrant Children! Our biggest donation to date! Sun-Wed 11am-2am (kitchen closes midnight), Thu-Sat 11am-4am (kitchen closes 2am). Rm 301-302, 3/F, Park Life, Yintai Centre, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (8517 2033) room-beijing.com 朝阳区建国门外大街2号银泰中心301-302室

Check out Xixi’s Favorite Charities!

PTE: Prevention Through Education
www.pte-china.org
Heart 2 Heart Shanghai
www.heart2heartshanghai.net
TFC: Teach for China
tfchina.org
The Anjali Photo Project
www.ulule.com
ABC: A Bridge for Children
abridgeforchildren.org
Bread of life Bakery – Agape Family House
www.breadoflifebakery.org
Care for Children
www.careforchildren.com
Golden Bridges
www.goldenbridges.org
Starfish
www.starfish-project.com
The Library Project
library-project.org