Temple Restaurant Beijing

2013 has been a year of amazing foodie adventures, from low-key, local discoveries to hot Michelin-starred restaurants on the other side of the world.

My biggest highlight of the year was visiting China twice and being blown away by the incredible, authentic food there, particularly the addictive dim sum.

It’s been a year of trying new delicacies such as sea cucumber and abalone, embracing the joys of halloumi and finding some of the best burgers ever.

It’s tough to narrow them down to a small list, but here are some of my favourite foodie moments from 2013…

Housed in a Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple with slick, contemporary interiors, Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the coolest places to eat in Beijing. The five course Weekend Brunch is fabulous and surprisingly well-priced.

Le Castiglione Paris

Loved by Sofia Coppola and Lara Stone, Le Casti burger at Le Castiglione on rue Saint-Honoré, oozes deliciousness and is truly worthy of its legendary status.

Lardo, London

With the best pizzas in Hackney and tempting antipasti, Lardo is my new favourite local Italian restaurant and well worth a visit.

Ralph’s, Paris

The stylish restaurant inside the Ralph Lauren flagship store brings a touch of New England country club chic to the Left Bank. It’s a must for a juicy, American style Ralph’s Burger or a drink in the stunning courtyard.

L’Abeille at Shangri-La Paris

It was a delight to dine at two Michelin star restaurant L’Abeille and have the pleasure of meeting Executive Chef Philippe Labbé during my stay at Shangri-La Paris. There is real artistry in the food and it’s a beautifully choreographed, unforgettable dining experience.

Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York

I adored the fun, bento brunch concept and exquisite food, matched with spectacular views over Central Park at Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York.

The Bar at Hôtel Costes, Paris

This is the first year I’ve braved walking into Hôtel Costes and it was surprisingly relaxed and atmospheric with charming staff. The cocktails are expensive and tend not to veer far from the classics (mine was a Negroni), but it’s worth visiting at least once for a chic drink and some tasty bar plates.

Street Feast, London

2013 was the year that London street food really upped its game with more adventurous food and elaborate settings than ever. My Street Feast summer love-in was a flurry of dreamy burgers from Mother Flipper and Honest Burger, The Rib Man’s insanely tasty pulled pork rolls and lobster mac and cheese at B.O.B’s Lobster.

Night Tales, London

While Street Feast moved over to Hawker House, Night Tales kept the party going in Dalston with incredible Patty & Bun burgers, Hot Negronis, QuiQuiRiQui Mezcal cocktails, Le Petit Paris French toast and seriously delicious Soya Milk Fried Chicken and Steamed Pork Buns by BAO.

Sweet Revenge, New York

Bringing together cupcakes and booze, Sweet Revenge is one of the coolest spots in the West Village for an afternoon indulgence. I recommend the signature Sweet Revenge® cupcake with a cup of Spiked Spiced Cider.

Duddell’s, Hong Kong

The first restaurant within an art gallery in Hong Kong, Duddell’s has the feel of a private member’s club and serves superior dim sum and innovative cocktails.

Tony’s Taverna, Cyprus

I’ve been a little late to the halloumi party, but I now can’t get enough of it after trying the very best fried and baked local cheeses, alongside other delicious meze, at Tony’s Taverna and Taverna Mousikos in Cyprus.

DinTaiFung, Shanghai

The dim sum at the Asian super chain Din Tai Fung is definitely worth shouting about. It was here that I first tried Xiao Long Bao (meat or fish dumplings filled with broth) and learned how to eat them gracefully, without them exploding into a hot, soupy mess.

What was your top foodie discovery of 2013? Where are your new favourite restaurants?

All photos by Chérie City

Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the most exciting, stylish restaurants in the city and a real must for design lovers.

The award-winning restaurant is housed in a 600 year old Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple which was renovated in 2008 and given a contemporary new look by Australian architectural and design firm, Hassell.

Location

Temple Restaurant Beijing is tucked away among the hutongs of an unassuming residential Dongcheng street, close to the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the National Art Museum of China. It can be tricky to find, particularly as there are no signposts or visible branding. Well-dressed staff were waiting outside to escort us to the restaurant, however, I can imagine it would be a marvellous discovery if you stumbled upon the restaurant by yourself.

The man behind the restaurant is Ignace Lecleir, the Belgian former General Manager of Maison Boulud in Beijing, whose concept for the complex includes several event and gallery spaces and this year’s new opening, The Temple Hotel.

The restaurant

The sleek dining room is in a modern annex that was once a television factory, creating the capital’s first black and white TV. Floor to ceiling windows, vibrantly coloured Scandinavian furniture and striking artworks punctuate the minimalist space. Even the black slate bathrooms are sexy and luxurious, with low lighting and a small Buddha puffing incense smoke out of his mouth.

Service at TRB (as it’s locally known) is exemplary, with waitresses all in elegant teal chiffon dresses and suited waiters darting to the table to deliver each course, top up water and push in our chairs every time we moved.

The menu at TRB is contemporary European and the wine list is predominantly French, boasting some excellent wines, including Bordeaux, Burgundy and my favourite Sauternes.

Brunch dishes

We were lucky enough to be in town on the weekend and enjoyed a boozy Saturday brunch, including wines paired with each course. The fabulous brunch began with glass of Bollinger Champagne and a sharing plate of freshly-baked, flaky pastries with jams and honey.

The first course of White Wine Poached Shrimps and Avocado was mouth-wateringly delicious. The poached shrimps were very fresh and lightly marinated and were perfectly complemented by the cool, crushed avocado.

Duck Egg en Cocotte, Foie Gras, Artichoke and Bacon was a light and tasty dish. The duck egg was slow-cooked and the artichoke and bacon added plenty of flavour. The long garlic artisan bread twists came in handy for scooping up the yolk.

Sea Bass, Spinach and Curry Oil was a delicate dish with clean flavours. The fish was fresh and succulent and the dash of curry oil added a subtle kick.

The Roast Chicken and Grilled Asparagus was juicy and tender with a crispy, golden layer of skin. The chicken was served on a bed of spinach and a rich jus while the asparagus was nicely charred.

The Lychee Mousse dessert looked pretty with powder pink icing sugar adorning the plate, however, it was a little disappointing. The mousse was unexpectedly frozen and didn’t taste very much like lychee, although I did like the sticky top layer of lychee milk jam.

Tea and marshmallows

The meal ended on a high note with a delightful selection of chocolate truffles and assorted fruity marshmallows. We enjoyed a pot of fresh mint tea and relaxed a little longer before hitting the next stop on our itinerary.

As we were leaving, the staff brought us a bottle of Temple Restaurant Beijing branded water each for our travels. We couldn’t resist a few photo opps with the outdoor sculptures of the crouching men, deep in thought.

Impressions

TRB is a leader of Beijing’s thrilling fine dining restaurant scene and the experience is both memorable and impressive. While the restaurant is undoubtedly high end, the prices can be quite reasonable, particularly for the set lunch menu. Someday, I would love to return for dinner, as the temple locations looks particularly captivating at night.

For menus and booking, visit: www.temple-restaurant.com

Chérie City was a guest of Temple Restaurant Beijing and Shangri-La Hotels

Photos by Chérie City (evening exterior by TBR)

Temple Restaurant Beijing

The Best Foodie Moments of 2013