Dining

BEIJING ROAST DUCK	DA DONG / 大董烤鸭店 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)	Forget Quanjude and all those over hyped, over priced duck joints, THIS is the place for great duck. I've never had better. The atmosphere is perhaps a bit sterile compared to say, Li Qun, and yes, there will be lots of lao wai around, but who cares. On third ring road (east) at Chang Hong Qiao, south east corner, opposite Great Dragon Hotel. Tel : 6582 2892.
	LI QUN	For a very unique experience, try this very old home style cosy restaurant which is down a small hutong just off Qianmen (good luck finding it, honestly). 11 Bei Xiang Feng Alley, Zheng Yi Road, off Qian Men Avenue, Xuan Wu District. Tel : 6702 5681 or 6705 5578.
BELGIAN	MORELS	As far as I know, the only Belgian restaurant in Beijing. The Belgian waffles alone are worth a visit or two. Gongti Beilu opposite the Workers Stadium. Tel : 6416 8802.
FUSION	JING	Fusion cuisine with an open kitchen at the Palace Hotel, Wang Fu Jing. A little pricey, so save it for that special occasion. Palace Hotel, 8 Jin Yu Hutong. Tel : 6523 0175.
	COURTYARD	This place has been around a while, just next to the Forbidden City on the east side. Serving fusion food around the same price range as Jing. 95 Donghuamen Dajie. Tel : 6526 8883.
HONGKONG STYLE	GOLDEN LAKE	Hong Kong style cafe serving wonton noodles, roast pork / roast duck with rice and many other favourites, open 24 hours. Guo Mao World Trade Centre, next to tower 2.
	BE THERE, BE SQUARE	Hong Kong style cafe chain like Golden Lake. BB71 Oriental Plaza. Tel : 8518 6518.
HOTPOT	HUANG CHENG LAO MA	I'm not a big hotpot fan - it takes all night and I'm still hungry at the end. Plus, isn't hotpot the same everywhere? Put a bit of beef into hot water for a few seconds, dip it in some sauce in a desperate attempt to give it some flavour, then eat it. But I know there are people who love this, so if you really must, I guess this place is a popular choice, especially in the cold winter. 39 Nanqingfengzha Houjie Dabeiyao (south of China World). Tel : 6779 8801.
INDIAN	CHINGARI	Much better value than the overpriced Taj Pavillion, partly due to the less exclusive location. Cheap buffet set lunch during the week. 27 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, 4th Floor, Chaoyang District. Tel : 8448 3690.
	TAJ PAVILLION	Mainly for visitors or guests staying at the China World Hotel, this long standing indian restaurant serves decent food albeit at slightly higher prices than you'd expect. First floor, West Wing, China Trade Centre (next to KFC) Chaoyang District. Tel: 6505-2288 ext 80116.
ITALIAN	ANNIE'S CAFE	Cheap and cheerful pizza and pasta at the west gate of Chaoyang Park. They also deliver which is handy for those cold Beijing winter nights. Chaoyang Gongyuan Xi Men (west gate of Chaoyang Park). Tel : 6591 1931.
	MEDITERRANEO	Good value for money Italian / Mediterranean food, including excellent salads and pasta dishes that won't break the bank. Sanlitun North Street next to the 24 hour supermarket. Tel : 6415 3691.
	METRO CAFE	Great pasta, carpaccio and salads, but no pizza. Very reasonable prices. 6 Gong Ti Xi Lu. Tel : 6552 7828.
JAPANESE	HATSUNE (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)	My favourite Japanese restaurant in Beijing, this place is very stylish and clean, with a contemporary menu that includes many speciality rolls. Try the soft shell crab hand rolls - yummy! 8A, Guanghua Road (east of Kerry Centre and the 3rd Ring Road). Tel : 6581 3939.
	KAGEN (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)	In the basement below Hatsune and owned by the same group, Kagen serves both Japanese hotpot and BBQ as well as Teppanyaki grill in different sections. Don't say I told you, but if you really want you can ask them to order some sushi from upstairs if you fancy a bit of raw fish with your BBQ or hotpot. 8 Guanghua Road (east of Kerry Centre and the 3rd Ring Road). Tel : 6583 6830.
THAI	GOLDEN ELEPHANT	Serving Thai classics alongside a reasonable selection of Indian dishes, this is a good choice for those who can't decide whether to go for Thai or Indian. Don't forget to order the naan bread! #7 Sanlitun Bei Li (northwest of bar street). Tel : 6417 1650.