The Winners! Beijinger’s 7th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards

The Beijingers | Mar 17, 2010 11:00 am | 26 comments | 13508 reads

Yesterday (March 16) saw the best of Beijing’s culinary talent gather at Joy Luck for the Beijinger’s 7th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards, the capital’s oldest and most credible dining awards. 191 Beijing restaurants were nominated across 35 categories, and over 5,000 votes were collated to come up with this year’s results. Hosted by the wonderful Dominic Johnson-Hill of Plastered 8 T-shirts and Beijing personality Ai Wan, the awards attracted a diverse crowd of revelers as they rolled on through the afternoon.

So, without further ado, the winners are…

Contemporary Chinese
Best: Da Dong
Outstanding: Bei, The Opposite House
Outstanding: Made in China, Grand Hyatt Beijing

Duck
Best: Da Dong
Outstanding: Quan Ju De
Outstanding: Duck de Chine

Sichuan
Best: South Beauty
Outstanding: Chuan Ban
Outstanding: Spice Spirit (Mala Youhuo)

Dim Sum
Best: Jin Ding Xuan
Outstanding: Crystal Jade
Outstanding: Lei Garden

Hot Pot
Best: Haidilao Hot Pot
Outstanding: Little Sheep
Outstanding: Ding Ding Xiang

Kung Pao Chicken
Best: South Beauty
Outstanding: Bellagio
Outstanding: Xiao Wang Fu

Xinjiang
Best: Red Rose
Outstanding: Crescent Moon
Outstanding: My neighborhood chuar place

Yunnan
Best: Middle 8th Restaurant
Outstanding: Dali Courtyard
Outstanding: South Silk Road

French
Best: Maison Boulud
Outstanding: Café de la Poste
Outstanding: Brasserie Flo

Indian / Pakistani
Best: (tie) Ganges
Best: (tie) Taj Pavilion
Outstanding: Indian Kitchen
Outstanding: Mughal's

Italian
Best: Annie's
Outstanding: Assaggi
Outstanding: L'Isola

Japanese
Best: Hatsune
Outstanding: Matsuko
Outstanding: Tairyo Teppanyaki

Mediterranean
Best: Sureno, The Opposite House
Outstanding: The Olive
Outstanding: Athena

Mexican
Best: Saddle Cantina
Outstanding: Luga's Villa
Outstanding: Peter's Tex Mex

Middle Eastern
Best: 1001 Nights
Outstanding: Rumi
Outstanding: Biteapitta

Thai
Best: Purple Haze
Outstanding: Serve the People
Outstanding: Phrik Thai

Vietnamese
Best: Muse
Outstanding: Va Va Voom
Outstanding: Nam Nam

American
Best: Element Fresh
Outstanding: Chef Too
Outstanding: Grandma's Kitchen

Business Lunch
Best: Alameda
Outstanding: Mosto
Outstanding: Salt

Family-Friendly Restaurant
Best: Annie's
Outstanding: Grandma's Kitchen
Outstanding: Element Fresh

Impressing Visitors
Best: Da Dong
Outstanding: Capital M
Outstanding: LAN

Brunch (Non-Hotel)
Best: Element Fresh
Outstanding: Vineyard Café
Outstanding: Chef Too

Hotel Brunch
Best: (tie) Bubbalicious at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Best: (tie) Bubbly Sundays at The Westin Financial Street
Outstanding: FIZZtastic at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Outstanding: Sunday Brunch at JW Marriott Hotel Beijing

Pizza
Best: The Tree
Outstanding: Kro's Nest
Outstanding: Annie's

Sandwiches
Best: Element Fresh
Outstanding: Panino Teca
Outstanding: Comptoirs de France

Steak
Best: The Meat & Wine Co.
Outstanding: SALT
Outstanding: Morel's
Outstanding: Chef Too

Tapas
Best: Olas Tapas Café
Outstanding: Mare
Outstanding: Carmen

Wine List
Best: Maison Boulud
Outstanding: Enoteca
Outstanding: Mosto

Burger
Best: Let's Burger
Outstanding: Blue Frog
Outstanding: Chef Too

Best For a Romantic Meal
Best: Maison Boulud
Outstanding: The Courtyard
Outstanding: Capital M
Outstanding: Mosto

Chef
Best: Ana Esteves, SALT
Outstanding: Daniel Urdaneta, Mosto
Outstanding: William Bolton, Chef Too

Décor
Best: LAN
Outstanding: Hatsune, The Village
Outstanding: Maison Boulud

Service
Best: Maison Boulud
Outstanding: SALT
Outstanding: Haidilao Hot Pot

Restaurant of the Year (Chinese)
Best: Da Dong
Outstanding: Made in China, Grand Hyatt Beijing
Outstanding: Haidilao Hot Pot
Outstanding: Din Tai Fung

Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)
Best: Maison Boulud
Outstanding: Mosto
Outstanding: SALT

The Beijinger Restaurant Awards were sponsored by:
Stella Artois
Grand Marnier
iF Juice
Montrose
Yellow Valley
Toni & Guy
Lily's Antique
Immersion Guides
JoyLuck Restaurant

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admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 05:17

cowboy123 wrote:
Out of 34 categories, 18 of the awards went to restaurants that were in the Sanlitun area, with 4 more if you include Da Dong’s Tuanjiehu branch. Widen it further and throw in the Dongzhimen South Beauty and the Westin Chaoyang, and almost every award went to a restaurant within a mile radius of Sanlitun with the exception of those that went to the Chi’enmen 23 spots."

here's all the winning venues, mapped:

http://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2010/03/19/Restaurant-Awards-the-Ultimate-Map-Guide

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

cowboy123's picture cowboy123 Submitted by Guest on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 18:53

I agree with modern leifeng's comments:

"The Beijinger magazine held their annual restaurant awards yesterday and this year’s results were a little more encouraging than last year’s joke that saw Element Fresh take restaurant of the year, among a number of other awards.

Though, going through the list, I’m really left wondering who voted for some of these places. Do the expats of Beijing not get out to eat very much? Is it that nobody bothers to vote except the restaurants themselves? Are other expats too stuck in a routine, not trying new places? Or do they just lack decent taste?

Out of 34 categories, 18 of the awards went to restaurants that were in the Sanlitun area, with 4 more if you include Da Dong’s Tuanjiehu branch. Widen it further and throw in the Dongzhimen South Beauty and the Westin Chaoyang, and almost every award went to a restaurant within a mile radius of Sanlitun with the exception of those that went to the Chi’enmen 23 spots."

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 17:45

medscape wrote:
Three of the four winners in the Indian category, one of the three winners in each of the Steak, Vietnamese, Thai, Sichuan and Kung Pao Chicken categories are restaurants available for online ordering and delivery through Isender.com. Two other winners, Kro's Nest and Element Fresh, have their own online ordering and delivery. The Beijinger readers are a bunch of couch potatoes who know only the food they have delivered.

^ hmm, the best conspiracy theory yet

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

medscape's picture medscape Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 16:13

Three of the four winners in the Indian category, one of the three winners in each of the Steak, Vietnamese, Thai, Sichuan and Kung Pao Chicken categories are restaurants available for online ordering and delivery through Isender.com. Two other winners, Kro's Nest and Element Fresh, have their own online ordering and delivery. The Beijinger readers are a bunch of couch potatoes who know only the food they have delivered.

beijingtwister's picture beijingtwister Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 22:56

yo!
you know that the restaurant awards are won by the READERS of the Beijinger VOTING not by BRIBERY. The restaurants that won are the favorites of the PEOPLE who voted.... hmmm they won for a reason... people like them... every year I think some restaurant gets missed but I don't get all up in arms and cry BRIBERY....or BOLLOCKS...IF the reporter showed up to the interview without a pen and paper that has nothing to do with what the READERS chose. I know how the process works and it is impartial and not officiated by the magazine they only go to the hosting website for the results. there truly is no account for taste in a lot of the catergories... but the readers have spoken. If you don't like how the awards are done go out and do your own do it YOUR way and do it to what you think is better..... GO GET 'EM TIGER!

Jerry's picture Jerry Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 16:55

I wrote a review a while back dissing on Union for a bad Reuben sandwich experience I had there, but I was thoroughly impressed by my dinner there the other night (seared tuna salad, crabbed stuffed mushroom, baby back ribs). Pretty damn good. Hope they're still a contender next year.

Jerry Chan, Digital Marketing & Content Strategy Director

andyman7311's picture andyman7311 Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 16:23

Question to ALL you that have posted....

Do you all realize that these awards are decided by readers....yes READERS voting.

I have read that so many of you are unhappy with some results and feel the same results happen every year. Well did you Nay sayers VOTE?? Yes some places food is quite under par and I too am in question to why they won, but the Beijinger's staff is not the ones to decide these outcomes. Plus there are so many places to eat out and even though you like it and think it is an amazing places, doesn't mean it actually is.

anna-liza's picture anna-liza Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 16:17

I just can't believe that Brasserie Flo keeps getting awards as Outstanding French! The place with the service like theirs, when you have to remind the waiters several times about every single item you ordered if you really want to finally see it! I asked for a cup of coffee 3(!) times and got it only 15 minutes after I've finished my dessert, though I ordered it in the very beginning of my dinner :T Needless to say that sugar never arrived. And the food is quite average Sad

Madison's picture Madison Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 15:05

I don't understand how Annie's won best Italian, perhaps its clientele need to go on a trip to Italy...Annie's is fast food, something you order in when you are too lazy to cook. FAR FROM the best Italina. Was disappointed Tavola was not. Perhaps more promotion of the restraunt is needed. EVERYONE: opposite the Kempinski above the Grand Summit Complex, IT IS FANTASTIC!

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:11

HuanChu wrote:
@Jerry and Admin

You guys are waaaaay too diplomatic! :p

We try. Of course you know guys like that will never actually write a positive review. Just another typical disgruntled, culture-shocked expat taking out his/her frustration with their lot in life by lashing out anonymously on the internet.

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 10:17

wakingthecity wrote:
Annie's is the best Italian, The tree is the best pizza place? Bollocks! The biggest joke ever!

what's your favorite Italian restaurant, wakingthecity?

Why not recommend your favorite here, to help inform the unwashed masses of Beijing where to find the best Italian:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/Restaurants/Italian?sort=desc&order=Rating

And who serves the best pizza?

feel free to post a review here:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/Restaurants/Pizza?sort=desc&order=Rating

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

Jerry's picture Jerry Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 09:37

Ah yes - if we had a kuai for every time someone comes up with "the conspiracy theory" ...

Send us an email at editor@truerun.com and we will most definitely add you to our list of nominators next year - we more than welcome the input - and yes, we would love to gather an even wider range of nominees*.

*That is, if you have no ulterior motive since you went through the trouble of posting the same comment on Beijing Boyce.

Jerry Chan, Digital Marketing & Content Strategy Director

HuanChu's picture HuanChu Submitted by Guest on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 22:54

wakingthecity wrote:
Tell me about it!

Everything is just so fake! It is nearly the same result every year. we all know there are so many good restaurant out there deserve the award.

Well, what do you expect? especially when people don't know what to appreciate and when they have a writer who went to an interview without a pen or a paper.

Those businessmen start bribing, and some of them should have never won.

Annie's is the best Italian, The tree is the best pizza place? Bollocks! The biggest joke ever!

the beijinger keeps doing this show every year and i am sure it will lose its readers.

Wtf are you talking about??

While i will question tbj's choice of host, and their coverage of the medias coverage ( X( ) the actual results of the vote are hard to question (as my report here demonstrates.)

What's questionable is the limited variety of people who actually vote. 5000 voters, across 35 categories, compared to the actual number of people who visit each of those establishments ever year.

It's like whining about each weeks Billboard Top 20 winner. It's not necessary about the real quality of the music that's at #1, but about the people actually buying that single, to put it at #1.

So yeah, be ones of those who 'stops reading', cos there is so much better choice, and being free, i'm sure they'll miss your readership sooooo much. :H

A very smart man wrote:
Remember, the courage to be wrong is paramount in importance to the ability to be right.

HuanChu's picture HuanChu Submitted by Guest on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 22:32

"Beijing personality, Ai Wan" is certainly one way to say it.

My favorite quote from her at the awards was "WOW! A woman won chef of the year?? That's amazing! I thought only men could be cooks!!!"

Yep, 'personality' is certainly one way to say it.... #o

A very smart man wrote:
Remember, the courage to be wrong is paramount in importance to the ability to be right.

wakingthecity's picture wakingthecity Submitted by Guest on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 21:14

Tell me about it!

Everything is just so fake! It is nearly the same result every year. we all know there are so many good restaurant out there deserve the award.

Well, what do you expect? especially when people don't know what to appreciate and when they have a writer who went to an interview without a pen or a paper.

Those businessmen start bribing, and some of them should have never won.

Annie's is the best Italian, The tree is the best pizza place? Bollocks! The biggest joke ever!

the beijinger keeps doing this show every year and i am sure it will lose its readers.

hartnell's picture hartnell Submitted by Guest on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 08:27

Disappointed about the burger prize, the Vineyard didn't even get an "outstanding"! It's by far my favourite burger in Beijing.

Still, on the plus side, I now have two new places to try out!

Let's is pretty good, my only complaint is that it falls apart before the end - a good burger should never do that.

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