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The flair of the French
Art+Culture / Arts
Written by : Shane Qin
May 7, 2008

Tags : design photography jazz dance
    The cultural dialogue between China and France has continued for centuries, yet one may argue it currently stands on a wobbling tightrope.Yet one thing that cannot be argued is the series of successful culture-exchange programs which have been held in both countries over thepast few years.    In the spirit of such dialogue, and hot on the heels of the recent "2nd Francophony Festival in Guangzhou", the Sino-French"Croisement/Jiaoliu 2008" Festival immediately took to the stage in early April, inviting audiences to a three-month cultural carnivalrunning across 18 Chinese cities. And best of all, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Hong Kong and Macau have all been included.    Coming now into its third year, the "Croisement/Jiaoliu" campaign - itself an extension of the "China-France Cultural Year" – sticksto a mutual understanding theme (hence the title).    "We wish to make this f ... ...
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La Mexicana
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Apr 13, 2008

Tags : Mexican food
Viva Mexica!   La Mexicana   Shop 101, 104, Tian He Nan Yi Lu, Tianhe District (behind 7-11) (134 2753 3446) 天河区天河南一路104号101房  (7-11 后面 )   Sombreros, Coronas and loud Spanish pop music. Si, it's a Mexican restaurant, alright. We spotted this place out of sheer coincidence and were thrilled by the discovery. To call it a real restaurant is probably an overstatement. It's more like a mom-'n'-pop stall with very simple settings, but the food is a real catch. The Nachos came with shredded pork and melted cheese - crunchy, tasty and very 'more-ish'. The Burrito had a soft, light tortilla and was filled with freshly chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantros, and diced beef. With a few drops of Jalapeno, it was a refreshing treat that's best eaten with a cold Corona. Another definite winner was the Papas Asadas, a great hearty snack consisting of baked potato with cheese and beef. Although the menu is sm ... ...
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Qian Ding Shuan Shuan Guo
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Apr 13, 2008

Tags : hotpot Japanese food
Lost in presentation.   Qian Ding Shuan Shuan Guo 2/F, 77, Ti Yu Xi Lu, Tianhe District (8559 2418) 千鼎日 式涮涮锅, 天河 区体育西路 77 号 2 楼   Seeing as Guangzhou saw the coldest winter in 40 years back in January, a wave of 'huoguo' enthusiasm seems to have taken the city by storm, with many new hotpot restaurants rising up. Qian Ding is one such place. 'Shuan shuan guo' is a bit different from huoguo, which relies heavily on soup. Shuan means "cooking unseasoned food in a clear broth for a short time and dipping in various sauces for flavoring". That's why it's no surprise to see a sauce bar here (with nearly 30 sauces being served), and yet that's about the best Qian Ding can offer. The menu is no different from any other huoguo menu except for a small selection of sushi. Ingredients are served in a fancy fashion but appeal more to the eye than the stomach. Despite the reasonable prices and friendly staff, ... ...
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Yu Mi Ku
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Apr 13, 2008

Tags : Sichuan food Chongqing
  It's a Chongqing affair.   Yu Mi Ku   G/F, Li Shui Ting Yuan, Yi Zhou Lu, Guangzhou Bridge South (1360 006 6880) 鱼米库,广州大桥南艺洲路丽水庭园首层       If the heavy use of spices and oils has turned you away from Chongqing food, a visit to Yu Mi Ku might well reignite your passion for this vibrant cuisine. A healthy approach is adopted here in cooking with less oil. Their dishes, too, are kept mild but the flavors have not been sacrificed. The Cold Noodles were impressive: hand made and shipped from Chongqing with a simple seasoning of garlic paste, spring onions, red chillies and sesame. The Special Duck was mild, tender and full of flavors. The Chilli Eel was one of their spicier dishes, with various chilies and that powerful Sichuan peppercorn. Yu Mi Ku only serves lunch and dinner sets, and their portions are customized according to the number of diners. The traditional Chinese furniture and contemporar ... ...
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Wilber's
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Han Mingjie
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : restaurants
Where there's a way there's a… Within days of opening, Wilber's was already receiving admirable word of mouth, and it's easy to see why. Firstly, it's a fine looking place, a renovated house-brasserie (not too deluxe) with three floors of roomy dining fitted out with contemporary butter-toffee walls, spacious seating, a pleasing barbeque terrace, and a warm, inviting main interior. The service, too, is bright and welcoming. We had expected the menu to be a minefield of eclectic cuisine, but in fact it's a modest, minimal ambition, with fair-priced dishes that many European outlets would be proud of. And while their menu is not vast, the selection, including many innovative offerings, is excellent. To start, we chose the Egg, Bacon and Spinach Salad on a pretty weave of balsamic dressing, along with the sumptuous Squid & Romains Salad with papaya dressing (both 38RMB). Our mains were the Scallop & Mustard Honey Cream Spaghetti (68RMB) and the immaculately-cooked ... ...
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Guangdong Cuisine
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : treat
A true Cantonese treat Many Cantonese restaurants around town are often crowded and noisy. The atmosphere is great but it can be annoying at times. That's why this new Cantonese eatery is welcome by those who are after a fine meal in a quieter setting. The decor is fairly simple, with trad Chinese paintings and calligraphic works. The menu, too, is kept small and mainly serves traditional Cantonese delicacies along with some Hunan and Sichuan specials. Kung Fu Perch (功夫鲈) is a fine example of the chef's cooking skills and delicate knife work, while Garlic Ribs (酸香骨) are done properly with its tender meat sealed in a light crispy batter. As there is no English on the menu, and as the waiting staff speak little of the language, it's best to visit with local friends and take the great opportunity to explore the many, many wonders of Cantonese cuisine. Shop 3, G/F, Tao Jin Garden, 98 Hengfu Lu, Guangzhou (020 8358 7116) 私厨, 广州市恒福路98号淘金花园首层03铺 Opening hours: 11am-3pm / 5. ... ...
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Club Basement
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : bar
Don't let the name fool you If you expect this venue to be totally packed with fashionistas and hip party animals loaded with heavy alcoholic drinks, don't bother. This is not a club. Really, it is a kind of restaurant, SPA and lounge all-in-one establishment. Yet, despite this letdown, the decor here is very warm and soothing, and the place literally stretches across the entire basement floor. As the dining area only takes a corner of this space, the various VIP rooms are better choices for diners. Although the Western menu is uninspiring, with a dim selection of the usual suspects, the quality is as good as the presentation. The Smoked Salmon exuded an enticing pink and was refreshing with the accompanying capers, while the steak was properly cooked. The creamy Tiramisu, too, proved itself to be a treat worth coming back for. It is an inexpensive option for those hunting a fine meal, and the idea of a convenient trip to the SPA is always enticing. Basement Floor, Tian Lu ... ...
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Korean Cuisine
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : korean foot
No fancy names, just decent food The name says it all, and nothing more, but this restaurant certainly lives up to expectations. With down-to-earth décor, warm lighting and the occasional sizzling sounds from the grills, this new kid on Tiyu Xi Lu provides a relaxing atmosphere for some authentic Korean treats. Before the mains came, eight assorted pickles were served, of which a turnip-wrap with shredded meat and vegetables was the most impressive. A bowl of thick pumpkin soup was also served, which was creamy and refreshing. The Beef & Home Made Noodle Hot Pot arrived as a beef stew with earthy vegetables and was accompanied by a plate of noodles. It was mildly spicy and delightfully flavorful. The Fried Vegetables Korean Style resembled Japanese tempura with crispy batter and fresh vegetables, but the batter was slightly over-seasoned. Overall, given their decent prices and efficient service, it's definitely a restaurant worth a second visit. 79, Tiyu Xi Lu, Ti ... ...
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Boss Food Restaurant
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Mar 12, 2008

Tags :
It's all about the legs… This place is pretty difficult to find, being tucked away in a quiet corner away from Tao Jin Lu. Whether it's worth the effort may arouse some debate. The menu items look as bland as the minimal décor, but many people come here for just one thing in particular, their signature dish – Roasted Whole Veal Leg. It's quite a sight when the leg is brought to the table in a vertical fashion. It's then drizzled with some house wine and set alight, which gives the leg a crispy finish. By using 2-3 month old calves' legs, the meat is tender but lacks that intense beef flavor. This aside, the portion is big enough for three meat lovers to feast over and the bone is chopped up afterwards for take away. Food for the puppy, perhaps? No matter, make sure your order in advance as it takes around 50 minutes to cook. G/F, 60 Taojin Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (020 8349 2212) 尚金岭食馆,广州市越秀区淘金路60号首层 Opening hours: 11am -10.30pm Pa ... ...
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Chicken Tikka Masala
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Kelly Wang
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : homecooking
We've all eaten it, but can we all make it? Chicken Tikka Masala is quite a popular dish in the north of India, yet in the West, and especially Europe, it is perhaps the most famous (and most requested) Indian dish ever. The reason why is obvious: its rich flavors and fragrant spices have impressed foodies worldwide. Tikka means "marinated meat" (mainly chicken) threaded on a skewer and grilled, while masala refers to a mixture of spices often used in specific Indian cooking. Spices for the following recipe are available in all good Indian food stores around town. Right, off you go . . . 6 pcs chicken breast 2 tbsp cream (thick) 1 cup of tomato puree 1 tbsp chopped onions 1 tbsp chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp ginger paste 1 tbsp garlic paste   salt to taste Preparation mix 1 cup of plain yogurt 1 tsp red chili powder 1 tsp mustard oil 1 tbsp ginger paste 1 tbsp garlic paste 1 tsp tandoori masala 1 tsp salt Ho ... ...
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Ding Tai Fung
Food+Drink (Guangzhou) / Dining
Written by : Ethan Zhou
Mar 12, 2008

Tags : ding tai fung
It's not so strange for us to seek a restaurant in a mall in Shanghai or in Suzhou, since they have years of selling professional Xiao Long Bao (small steamed dumplings) from its original home in Taiwan. In Ding Tai Feng, the first dish that guests order is never going to be anything other than Xiao Long Bao, though it is somewhat pricey for 1 steamer (21-68RMB). However, most people are coming for just a bite of an authentic juicy bun, which is stuffed with carefully selected fresh ground pork (never frozen, folks!) and specially mixed flour. Shrimp and Crab Dumplings are stuffed with live shrimp and crab in order to keep the bun extra fresh and zingy. It's said that the owners here are rather strict and precise in making every bun the same weight, size, thickness and appearance. But then again, there are more dishes on the menu that will surprise you. Why not try the Taiwanese Braised Beef Noodle (29RMB) which is made from the finesse beef. Delicious!  1)(Guomao Sta.)B2/F, ... ...
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