Tianjin Reviews, Events and Information TIANJIN FOOD and DRINK AWARDS the City's Best Bars and Restaurants Revealed See P2
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tj Tianjin reviews, events and information TIANJIN FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS The City's Best Bars and Restaurants Revealed See p2 THE BUZZ TRANSPORT BLAST FROM THE PAST Damaged vehicles from last August’s Port of Tianjin warehouse explosion are finding their way onto the black market – and into unsuspecting hands. In an incident reported last month, a buyer paid RMB625,000 for a ‘brand new’ Jeep Grand Cherokee only to discover that it was a refurbished vehicle that had been damaged in the explosion. According to a notice released by Jeep last December, its Jeep Grand Cherokees were in the open-air – although outside the blast radius – at the time of the event. As such, the company requires its dealers to inform customers of this before purchasing. Additionally, 1,300 severely damaged vehicles were given to an insurance company, which was directed to keep them. Since then, a black market of dealers and repair shops has been repairing the cars and selling them at reduced prices. A professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, Zhu Wei, told China Radio International that industry regulators need to “ensure the cars that are meant to be destroyed are indeed destroyed.” RANDOM NUMBER EDUCATION ROMANCE 101 Tianjin University is now offering classes in an unconventional – yet universally experienced – subject regarding matters of the heart. The course, titled ‘Basic Theory and Experience of Love' has proved popular, with around 200 students attending the first lecture. Topics covered range from dating tips and etiquette to counseling, and are taught by teachers from the university and external experts. A professional at the mental 12 health education center at Tianjin …is the number of new A330 jets that will be deliv- University, Yang Li, believes the ered each year from Airbus China’s Tianjin comple- course will give pupils the skills they need to maintain better following two years, according to comments made romantic relationships. Similar bytion Airbus center China’s from 2017. President The figure Eric Chen will doubleat the center’s in the programs have already been opening ceremony. The center’s activities include introduced at institutions such as Wuhan University and Renmin and delivery. University of China. A330 aircraft cabin decoration, painting, test flights SUMMER 2016 1 Awards season is always a favorite here at That’s Tianjin. The reason is a simple one: we get to eat and drink at some of the finest establishments in the city. The number of new openings that we’ve had to visit in recent months is a testament to the pace of change in Tianjin’s drinking and dining scenes. But old favorites are delivering the goods, too. Here’s our round-up of the winners from our second Food and Drink Awards. Best Chinese Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel Tianjin Exquisite Cantonese fare is the order of the day at Shang Palace, where actual Guangdong chefs prepare au- thentic dim sum. But while the dumplings alone are worth a ‘Best Chinese’ award, we also recommend the perfectly cooked duck. The restaurant also offers a variety of Tianjin specialties – truly something for all palettes. Outstanding Pick You don’t have to catch a train to Beijing to enjoy delicious Peking duck. Xihe Yayuan Duck makes a succulent variety of Best Local Dining the dish right here in Tianjin. Jincai Collection Best Japanese Sure, Jiancai Collection is overblown, but it falls just the right side of ostentatious. In Geba Geba fact, the restaurant’s grandiosity is part of its charm. The high-ceilinged Tianwei Lu branch Tianjin is packed with great Japanese food, but our – our favorite of the restaurant’s three loca- pick of the bunch is Geba Geba, a pokey gem of a tions – features fountains, chandeliers and restaurant in the heart of Wu Da Dao. Watching more marble than you can shake a deep-fried the masterful chefs at the teppanyaki grill is the youtiao at. In addition to pan-China classics, main attraction, but be sure to save space for the the local specialties perfectly balance the sushi and sashimi, which is so good that we recom- sweet and salty flavors that Tianjin food is mend you forgo soy and wasabi. Let the ingredients known for. speak for themselves. Outstanding Pick Outstanding Pick Found by the waterside in Shuishang Park, As well as the freshest selection of sushi we’ve Lao Matou offers nostalgic decor and a genu- tried in Tianjin, Uo-Mittsu’s sea urchin is some of ine taste of old Tianjin. the city’s finest. 2 SUMMER 2016 Best Casual Dining Blue Frog Burgers. Need we say more? No, but we will anyway: Blue Frog is our favorite place in town to both kick back and dig in. A regularly updat- ed burger menu keeps the options fresh, and a delightful variety of side dishes ranging from the deep-fried to the vegetal offers something for anyone in tow. We also love the specials (buy-one-get-one happy hour, anyone?) and the fact that, every time we visit, we get some serious grub for our money. We’re not joking: Come hungry. Outstanding Pick Sizzler is an outstanding choice for laidback meals in Tianjin. Anything you get here, wheth- er it’s a salad, soup, steak or – why not? – all the above, is sure to please. SUMMER 2016 3 Best Buffet Café Yun, Shangri- Best Southeast Asian La Hotel Tianjin We love Café Yun any time of day – its spreads for breakfast, lunch YY Beer House and dinner are all chock-full of fine international options. Our favorite part of this popular spot, though, is its live ‘theater kitchens,’ which The opening of YY’s new Wu Da Dao location marked a clear move allow you to watch chefs prepare food right in front of you. Café Yun is toward beer (it’s in the name, after all), and we certainly recommend a feast for the eyes and belly. that you try some the new branch’s locally made craft brews. But let us not forget the Thai food for which the original branch made its Outstanding Pick name. Authentic pad Thais, fresh papaya salads and no-nonsense cur- Serving everything from Thai-style noodles and Australian beef to ries have kept this place at the heart of expat life for over a decade. fluffy tiramisu, Pacifica, at Pan Pacific Tianjin, is a top-notch choice Outstanding Pick for buffet dining. Not as well known among the expat crowd, Du Du Hai Batik serves up some of the city’s most flavorful Thai cuisine. Best Dessert Bella Milano ‘Bella Milano’ is Italian for ‘Beautiful Milan’ – and Beautiful Milan is exactly where this dessert chain’s owners got inspiration for their line of rich, creamy gelatos. We like to think the calorific cones are good as any in Italy – and with a selection of fun popsicles and milkshakes to go along with them, we know they are. Come for the mojito- flavored sorbet, stay for the rich chocolate gelato. Outstanding Pick Delightful cakes and pastries from Best+ French Dessert are practi- cally guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Best Fine Dining Riviera, The St. Regis Tianjin If we do in fact eat with our eyes first, then Riviera has the best ap- petizer of them all: a gorgeous river view. Let that not distract you, however, from the excellent cuisine on offer – elegant pan-European dishes using high-quality ingredients. The catch of the day is always freshly picked and finely cooked, and as for the dessert, who says you can’t get great crème brulee in Tianjin? Riviera offers a fine dining -ex perience you won’t soon forget. Outstanding Pick For special occasions, you can’t go wrong with a steak from Fire House, Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview Hotel. 4 SUMMER 2016 Best Italian Bene, Sheraton Tianjin Binhai Hotel Bene’s Italian offerings go way beyond spaghetti and meatballs. We love the assortment of grilled dishes, the freshly baked pizzas and the rich des- serts. Stepping into Bene is like traveling to a quiet corner of Italy – but without the jetlag. Authentic Italian in Tianjin? Can do. Outstanding Pick The relaxed atmosphere and unpretentious food at Prego at The Westin Tianjin makes this dining experience anything but stuffy. SUMMER 2016 5 Best New Restaurant Wood Restaurant and Bar With its sleek design, delicious steaks and extensive drink menu, Wood Restaurant and Bar is the perfect place to spend a Friday night with friends. Or a weekday afternoon. Or a Sunday brunch. Or a… well, you get it. There are also fantastic fresh salads and creamy pas- tas on offer – so no matter who you’re dining with, they’ll be pleased. Outstanding Pick Tasty pizzas, salads and other European entrees are the specialties of Sheraton Tianjin Hotel’s Cucina Mediterranean Restaurant. Best European Maison FLO Tianjin As fine as any brasserie in Paris, Maison FLO brings French elegance to Tianjin. Every time we go, we’re transported to Belle-Époque Europe… and we never want to leave. Finely executed French fare pairs perfectly with FLO’s excellent wine selection. Prepare to spend a few hours savoring your meal – that’s exactly how the French do it. Outstanding Pick The beautiful, historical ambience at 1863 Bistro & Terrace at The Astor Hotel Tianjin makes for truly romantic meals. Best Al Fresco Dining Qing Wang Fu Designed by the emperor’s chief eunuch and then built in the 1920s, the building which houses Qing Wang Fu is one of the most stunning relics of the British concession. Whether you opt for the excellent selection of Western and Chinese food or just grab a spot of afternoon tea, sitting in the shade of this artfully restored mansion is an absolute must for the summer.