Mediterranean Tapas and Al Fresco Seating at the Embassy District's Chez Suzy
Who doesn’t enjoy some breeze and sunshine while dining in a tranquil, casual, yet vibrant courtyard? If all that is music to your ears then head over to Chez Suzy, which has quietly reopened after renovations to its Caochang courtyard, a stone's throw away from the American embassy near Liangmaqiao.
Chez Suzy, aka "Suzy’s home", strives to evoke the atmosphere of old European bistros and comes complete with antique chandeliers, oil paintings, heavy wooden tables, cherry-red leather booths, mosaic tiles, an open kitchen, stacks upon stacks of wine bottles, and a large al fresco dining area.
The menu, designed by Fernando Corona, who worked at beloved restaurants like Arzak and Celler de Can Roca in Spain, runs the gamut of rustic salads (RMB 70-130), homemade pastas (RMB 80-90), oysters, steak, chicken stew, and cote de beouf. Other dishes have a touch of the Mediterranean (RMB 180-1,288) and include seafood such as paella, pan-fried sole, and grilled sea bass, as well as a separate tapas menu comprised of grilled shrimps, croquets, oreja de cerdo (fried pig ears), Neapolitan meatballs, grilled cuttlefish, and baccalà mantecato (grilled polenta with dried cod mousse), at RMB 50 a pop.
Be sure to try the gambas al ajillo (grilled shrimps, RMB 50), which pack a punch in both the garlic and chili departments but are coupled with a fresh finish courtesy of the accompanying olive oil. Meanwhile, their grilled cuttlefish (RMB 50, pictured at top) boasts a strong jolt of umami that was balanced with chopped bell peppers and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
However, our favorite from the tapas menu was the oreja de cerdo (fried pig ears) for their tender texture and a side of crisp and crunchy patatas bravas, also deep-fried in olive oil. A dollop of spicy mayonnaise and paprika chili powder rounded out the proceedings with aplomb.
Among the mains, the fricasses de poulet (chicken and bolete stew, RMB 320) stuck out for the chef's deft combination of succulent chicken drumsticks, herbs, and spices. The addition of sugar snap peas provided a welcome crunchiness and the size of the dish made it suited for sharing.
We finished with a helping of vanilla ice cream (RMB 60) that packed a summery punch on account of a sprinkling of cinnamon and orange zest, and assorted spices that otherwise spruced up the straightforward but welcome whipped cream and chocolate.
Chez Suzy is a casual spot that eschews pretention, making it ideal for a date or a night out with foodie friends craving Mediterranean flavors via well thought out and attractive dishes. Anyone working or living near Caochang courtyard will surely enjoy whiling away summer evenings at this restaurant's fetching al fresco area, but with food like this, patrons from all over town should also be sure to stop by this hidden gem.
Chez Suzy
Daily 10.30am-11pm. 102, 1/F, Caochang, 19 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang District (5717 2125)
苏西家：朝阳区天泽路19号草场商业广场一层102号
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Photos: Tracy Wang
