Beijing's Hidden Gem III

1.2.3? T.R.B? It's Temple Restaurant Beijing. Another hidden gem in Beijing. Even the taxis didn't even want to drive into the restaurant because it's a hassle for them to drive all the way into the alleys and out again without any guests. We had to walk to the restaurant after being dropped off at the main street. The history for this temple is really funny because it was previously a temple which they restored and turned into a restaurant. I kept thinking they served vegetarian food since it is a temple after all.

Let's see... we had the lobster bisque (complimentary), Lyonnaise Style Frisee salad, Orange Fennel Salad, Seafood En Papillotte, Braised Lamb, Panfried Chicken Leg, Asparagus Risotto,  Chocolate Ganache Mousse, Creme Brulle, Pistachio Framboise and Tiramisu. I really loved the location of this restaurant but the food wasn't 5 star, I returned my lamb, it was overcooked despite requesting only medium well and the desserts were way too sweet to our liking. We couldn't finish some of the desserts and had to take home some of it.  All in all it was still quite an experience and would love to come back again because my companions swore that the panfried chicken was out of the world. Haha....

Beijing's Hidden Gem II

What else that was uniquely Beijing this time? French food! Haha.....I know it sounds crazy but the price is pretty crazy too! Meaning, for this level of comfort, service and quality of food, it was between US$20-55 depending on how many course you order with endless supplies of bread and complimentary desserts. Maison Boulud is so hidden that, if you didn't know, you probably wouldn't know. It was located in the former US embassy in Beijing. It was a really great and fun place to do brunch at.

We had the green pea soup, Nicoise salad, escargo, salmon, monk fish, gnocchi, lamb and chocolate molten cake. After we were done, they even served fresh madeline and a platter of macaroons and candies. 

Beijing's Hidden Gem I

When one is in doubt where to eat, one should refer to the... Time Out magazine! I have to admit, it's such a touristy thing to do, to refer to a Time Out magazine to look for eating places in a city filled with such a vast array of food. Especially when we were going towards Nan Luo Gu Xiang. It's blocks after blocks of streets and alleys filled with quaint bars, galleries, trinket shops, souvenirs, food joints and etc. That is precisely why it is interesting to find out what the foreigners are recommending the tourists to try out. Every stalls, be it drinks, desserts, or Beijing yogurt, that were somewhat famous or highly recommended by the locals were packed with crowds. But who knew tucked in a small alley, is this Korean restaurants that uses only organic produces and ingredients.

Ah, what can I say, we always order our favorite - Bibimbap.

Not forgetting japchae.

And..............the star of the meal! Ginseng cage free organic chicken! I know it's crazy to be eating chicken amidst the bird flu but but but....this is really really good. Enough ginseng flavor and the chicken, so tender and sweet. I enjoy meat and I like my meat to be cooked and tasted right! I don't know why I was craving for Gingseng Chicken for the longest time when I heard we were going to eat Korean, my mind was set on this and it sure hit the spot. Ah...that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

Flowers and Gardens

Somewhat disappointed but not disheartened, we continued our search for cherry blossoms in Beijing! Due to the temperature differences, flowers in Beijing were scheduled to bloom much later. We were very excited to find out that there were still gardens after gardens full of cherry blossoms. How lucky were the Emperors and Empresses to have enjoyed such beauty in their own gardens, not having to fight with the iPhones, iPads and SLRs of those commoners to look at the flowers. 

 

Also, not forgetting the beauty of the royal gardens, so serene and peaceful sans the crowd.