Game Set Match: Xiao Ju Courtyard

You must have some foresight for Xiao Ju Courtyard. But without it, we discovered that the help is gracious. Despite not calling in advance, as we discovered was proper protocol, I was assured by the manager they could have things ready if I came back in a few hours. He offered a choice between two set menus (RMB 128 or RMB 288/person), although soon they will have up to six, including vegetarian options.

Although Xiao Ju Courtyard fancies itself as Chinese-French fusion, the standout dishes were the gourmet takes on classic Sino-staples. The secret Sichuan recipe for a fish filet in hot chilli oil was a light, flaky, boneless shuizhu yu. The spicy roast organic lamb chop was like if chuanr got a scholarship to Princeton and came back posh and polished but was, at heart, still the cool guy you grew up with. The dishes came out in a steady succession of portions small
enough to add up to a cumulatively well-sized dinner.

An elegant alternative to the neon-lit, flashy grease of Ghost Street nearby, Xiao Ju Courtyard allows you to kick up your feet and be taken care of. Although a hutong hide-away, it doesn’t require any complicated turns to find, and with choices kept to a minimum, the beauty of the prix fixe menu relieves you of the onerous work of decision making – or ordering in front of guests. Just remember to call a day, or at least a few hours, in advance.

Also try: Life List, Dali Courtyard, Dianke Dianlai.