15 years in the same location … a modern-day Beijing restaurant miracle

Quick trivia quiz: Name a locally owned and operated foreign restaurant that has been serving diners in its original location for 15 years or more under the same proprietor. The grand Brasserie Flo in Rainbow Plaza? Nope, Flo’s only a fresh-faced 10. Hatsune? Even younger. The stately Taj Pavilion? A veritable pre-teen at 12 years old.

Try Metro, the intimate Gongti area Italian bistro that celebrates its 15th anniversary this month.

Metro has been plying their trade since 1995, an almost miracle given the changes in Beijing over the past decade and a half. To survive the wrecking ball, remain in the same location, with the same man at the helm - Marvin Lau - is an amazing trifecta in this perpetually changing, ever-so-trendy city.

Whereas other eateries have suffered from internal management shakeups, over-expansion, selling out and/or getting the dreaded “chai” sign posted on their door, Metro has survived untouched.

They’ve also survived the onslaught of Italian dining choices in the city. In 1995 you could count all the Western restaurants in Beijing on one hand; by the time the Beijinger first hit the streets in 2001, Metro was one of 10 Italian eateries listed in our debut issue. Metro now makes their fresh pasta in a city that has at least 70 Italian restaurants (that’s how many we list in our online directory … meanwhile, the Chinese-only dining megaportal dianping.com lists 150).

It’s testament to their great homemade pasta and sauces and commitment to first-class, personal service that they’ve made it this far, so props to boss Marvin. And if you’ve never tried them, the next seven days would be a great time to check them out as they are offering 15% off all a la carte menu items from tonight (April 7) through April 14.

Metro; Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11.30am-10pm; 9 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District (6552 7828)