| Best Of LocalNoodles:
Newest Review In The Last Week
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| 1 to 11 of 11 |
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| Q-bar |
When the Q-bar opened a few years ago it spurned a revolution in the Beijing bar industry. Up until that point bars were poorly maintained spaces with cheap beer and inconsistent service. The alcohol was almost always dubious especially if the bar offered the 10 rmb shots. The Q-bar changed all that. The owners created a modern lounge with rock solid consistency the likes of few have been able to match. Even after several years of operation the Q-bar makes the same reliable drinks it did way back when. New bars have opened but they are almost always compared to the Q which says something.
After reading this week’s newsletter about Beijing’s restaurant and bar closings, I really hope that the Q-bar is not headed that way. I’ve heard rumor about a riff between the owners and I worry it will mean the end of not only one of the best bars in Beijing but also the roof top space that I love so much.
To the owners: if the rumors are true, get your acts together. We don’t want to see the Q-bar closed.
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| Ozone Fitness - CLOSED |
Rumour has it that Ozone is in financial difficulty. Ozone's Park Avenue branch shut down without notice on March 6, 2010. This was in spite of (1) the sales manager's repeated assurances that they will be around when I renewed my membership in Dec 2009; (2) membership promotions via sms just 1-2 weeks before closing down; (3) members who had joined/renewed just 1 week before it closed down.
It is highly unethical to be selling memberships when the management likely knew about the imminent closing of the branch. Founder Howard Quach and CEO Tomer Rothschild are part of this unethical team.
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| Ozone Fitness - CLOSED |
I also thought this gym was really nice as well
untill I found out that this FACILITY CLOSE LAST FRIDAY.I been a member for 6 months and their staff attitude has been unaceptable eversince.
There are rumors saying that you might have to go to their corporate office located in Zubang 2000 shake them up and try to get your refound.
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| Yugong Yishan |
I have been to Yugong Yishan and had some great nights, but the last time I went I have to say I had mild panic about the over-crowding and the potential for 'disaster headlines' in the following morning's China Daily. It was pretty clear tickets had been oversold: you couldn't move for bodies jammed next to each other in the 'pit area', there was not a hope in Hell of getting anywhere near the artist to hear the music (note the previously mentioned acoustic issues in other reviews); there were people sitting on the steps; no clear emergency exits and I don't know if the sound-proofing curtains are fire-retardant but the obliviously happy, singing, drunken and dancing smokers were scaring me as they lurched towards the fabrics.
Because the steps were being used as seats ("People sitting in a cool and happening music venue?", I hear you say...) it would have been carnage if we'd needed to get out in an emergency. As it was, there was a bit of a punchup between a few people as they jostled their way up and down the impromptu sitting area.
Nobody wants a clinical, nanny state experience in terms of safety (oh the irony) but just take a look and see if you have the same concerns.
I otherwise LOVE this place and want it to be hugely successful, small band venues are worth preserving. Management, please take a look into safety and make sure you're taking reasonable steps to protect your crowd.
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| The Meat & Wine Co |
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I have been to The Meat & Wine Co a number of times now and have come away each time having had an incredible eating experience. The food is a bit pricy, but well worth it because you can taste the quality and creativity in every dish. The first steak I ate there left an lasting impression because it was one of the best steaks I'd eaten in the world - not just in Beijing. The ribs are also a treat, as they are delicious and the portion was more than I could imagine eating. The decor is inspiring, the wine list extensive, and the staff are all very knowledgeable, attentive and hospitable. We were especially taken care of by Darah, an American manager there, who took the time to go through the menu and gave great advice and Richard, the wine sommelier, who helped us perfectly match our meal with an exquisite bottle of wine. I highly recommend going and treating yourself to one of the best locations in Beijing when the outdoor terrace is open, overlooking beautiful Legation Quarter (or Chianmen 23). The other fantastic thing is that they usually have a creative promotion going on. If you're looking to impress a date or client, this is hands down one of the best places to go in Beijing.
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| Yugong Yishan |
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Yu gong yi shan is truly one of Beijing's best music venues but mostly because of the talent it attracts. Unfortunately, the acoustics are not that great despite the effort they have put into sound dampening curtains, etc. They could use a second bathrooms especially for the women (my gf. spent half an hour waiting for the bathroom). Bar staff are also very attentive.
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| Nike - The Village |
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If you’re in the market for sports equipment go to Decathlon but if you want great exercise gear head to the Nike store in Sanlitun. They offer authentic shoes and clothing at the prices you would expect for authentic gear. I am willing to pay more because I don’t want my shoes to blow out in the middle a 10k run (this happened to me). Nike also has a reliable return policy should anything go wrong.
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| Ozone Fitness - CLOSED |
I thought this gym was really nice as well. That is until it closed its doors 12 hours after I signed up for a 2 person 1 year membership. 12 hours! I showed up this morning with my gym bag ready to fulfill my New Years resolutions only to find that they had closed the facility forever. What particularly struck me was what one gentleman pointed out – the tape on the front door was put there by Ozone – not the court – which means that it was not bankrupt or closed by debtors, (otherwise there would have been a court notice instead) rather it was a management decision to close. By extension that means that management knowingly sold me a membership up until the night before THEY ALREADY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THE FACILITY. Sadly, I was not the only one. I met three others that signed up yesterday as well.
I called up the main office and their response was that I can simply go to one of their other facilities instead. Good of them to offer but everyone that goes to the gym knows that location is everything and if your gym is not conveniently located chances of you going are minimal.
The angry crowd at the door, none of which were notified that Ozone was going to close this location, said that there are rumors that Ozone is headed toward bankruptcy and that this location is just the tip of the iceberg. My advice: no matter what the salesman says, don’t give your money to Ozone. Don’t sign up for a membership or you may end up minus 8,500 rmb like me.
A few signs that a business is going to close its doors soon: Sudden discounts where there were none before, aggressive sales tactics to get you to sign up for another year, canceled classes, reduced operating hours, and poorly maintained bathrooms.
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| Tim's Texas BBQ |
I was craving ribs one day and decided to try this place.
I like the decoration. It feels comfortable and genuine. I felt like I was back in the US. There were foreigners everywhere when I got in. I thought this would be a good sign that the food was good. Unfortunately, the food was just south of mediocre and left me feeling yucky the next day.
I ordered the beef ribs and my friend had the pork ribs. We also ordered the onion rings.
The onion rings arrived first. They were actually good, if not a bit large. Crunchy batter. Juicy, fresh onion. Very tasty. They made me look forward to the main course.
When the beef ribs arrived, they looked like chunks of meat on sticks with a bit of sauce dribbled on them. The pork ribs looked like ribs one would expect, but, once again, with a bit of sauce dribbled on them.
The meat was tough, dry and tasted like they were artificially smoked. It felt like we were eating smoked, cardboard jerky. Maybe, if there were more sauce, we could have overcome the dryness of the meat.
The coleslaw tasted ok, but the cabbage was cut too wide... not shredded, and not milky enough.
The beans were ok.
The potato salad was tasteless and dry.
They couldn't provide me with an official invoice.
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| Nam Nam |
After an extended vacation in Vietnam, weeks of feasting on foods from the north and south, and drinking as much local beer and coffee as I could, I visited nam nam to see how it held up to the real thing.
Outside the restaurant looks quite tiny but there are two floors. The second seems to be the brightest and most roomy. If you dined at RAS, Nam Nam’s predecessor, the overall layout is exactly the same.
Accustomed to eating Pho in the morning for breakfast, I decided to do the same here in Beijing and arrived at slightly after they opened at 10:45. Service at that time is reluctant at best. I received exactly no smiles and immediately after my questions were answered the waitress went back to texting on her cell.
I ordered Fresh Spring Rolls, Beef Pho, and coffee. The spring rolls were fresh and tasty but the dipping sauce is much spicier than I remembered it to be in Vietnam. The Beef Pho was good and very close to what I found in Northern Vietnam although the dish of fresh bean sprouts, lime and peppers were insufficient. The broth was well done if not a bit on the spicy side. The coffee, unfortunately, was the low point of the meal. In Vietnam the coffee was a slam dunk. Its rich dark flavor is closer to chocolate than it is to the acidic coffee we drink in the West. Here I found the coffee to be very bitter and completely unappealing. I happen to purchase some Vietnamese coffee while in Vietnam so this morning I tried to make a cup that resembled what I had every morning there. As it turns out, using Trung Nguyen “House Blend” ($2 for a 250g box at the airport) it’s quite easy so I am led to believe that Nam Nam is either using very cheap coffee or they aren’t using Vietnamese coffee at all. Either way, skip the coffee, it is horrible.
Price was very reasonable with everything costing 70 RMB. Fapiao are available.
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| UNION Bar & Grille |
I went with a large group to Union last night. The last time I visited was shortly after it opened. Back then I wasn’t impressed. What impressed me this time wasn’t that they renovated (they didn’t) but that it was so packed. When calling to reserve one we almost weren’t able to do so. What happened before then and now is anyone’s guess.
Service is good and mostly in English. There are the usual mistakes but they are all innocent enough.
Nothing has changed with the interior décor – dark and brick it achieves the American east coast or NYC look.
Food is American and is fairly good. My burger was 78 RMB and was highly overpriced for what I received but it was still okay. The French fries were not that impressive but again, okay.
What I found strangest about the evening is they kicked everyone out at 10pm. It felt as if I was back in suburban USA again. We probably would have stayed for another two hours if allowed but, unlike the Chinese establishments that stay open as long as you are buying, they wouldn’t have it.
Happy hour is a good deal otherwise Union is slightly better than average in nice atmosphere.
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24 hours ago
