Lan Club and The Courtyard Restaurant
Author: Gundega Skudriņa0 COMMENTS
Lan Club
It appears that each city needs a little bit of Philippe Starck. Yet, in comparison with others, Beijing (Peking) has managed to snatch quite a chunk. Lan Club is not only a restaurant. It's an entire bar and dining complex, designed by French hooligan-designer, embracing an oyster and a classic bar, VIP rooms and lounges, banquet and presentation venues and, of course - restaurant itself. Its numerous rooms, although being detached, still maintain their oneness.
Lan Club, located in one of the Chaoyang district twin towers, is a true paradise for eclectic style devotes. A fantastic ambiance of this place makes blood stream faster in your veins as soon as you step inside. Walls and ceilings are scattered over with huge picture-frames - some are empty, some featuring reckless pop-art masterpieces. Multitudes of typical Starck's lamps are everywhere - starting from crystal chandelier, down to modern minimalism. Draped, velvet curtains, bronze figure and some design objects that only Starck himself can make sense of. And, of course, chairs! Once again the refined designer has managed to splurge with all possible styles, including cow-hide clad sofas and velvet armchairs. A cozy table for two is placed side by side with a huge baroque-style mirror. A totally surreal sensation!
Glimmering video monitors softly enlighten a passageway, while a long lounge table is illuminated by projection of hieroglyphs on it. Some authentic Chinese characters are worked in its surface as well. An antique and lonely sideboard adorns one of the hallway walls. Along with old and ragged books, its shelves are filled with incredibly beautiful and appetizing cakes! Though, most probably fake ones, just to tease passing by foodies.
The impressive complex is encircled by several VIP rooms, separated from the other space by curtains. Each of them features an individual décor and can receive parties of up to 12 guests.
Certainly bathrooms cannot be left without mentioning either. A refined decadence of their design turns a visit there into a pure adventure. I bet that you will wish to linger there a bit longer! All the space sinks in a red lighting. In one of the cubicles, right next to a four-legged closet, boasts a white leather armchair. In front of that - a washbasin with a golden swan stretching its wings, while its neck serves as a water tap. And that is not all yet! Red lights are fitted out with small monitors - constantly moving around, they resemble eyes, following you on every step. A virtual boudoir, indeed, not a bathroom!
Moreover, cuisine definitely places Lan Club among worth-to-visit pots. As we know, servings usually are quite small in Chinese restaurants, yet there it's better not to hurry with ordering one dish after another. It becomes clear when a huge plate of sliced Peking duck comes onto the table, brought by a waiter with a little sneer on his face - obviously about your initial, unbridled enthusiasm. Two or three dishes and you are full already! Bouquet of tastes is just amazing, and everything is absolutely fresh. A lounge offers a view of kitchen, and if you wish, a cook can come over and show you a lobster that is about to be cooked. No wonder that this pretty new spot is much favored by local celebrities, its entrance now and again flaring up with flashlights of paparazzi cameras. Visitors are not the only stars there, however. Popular deejays, as far as from Hollywood, frequent Lan Club with their performances. Tickets for such occasions have to be purchased separately. A table has to be booked ahead, too.
4/F Twintowers, B-12 Jianguomenwai Avenue,
Chaoyang District
Phone: 011-86-10-5109-6012
www.lanbeijing.com
The Courtyard Restaurant
A superb restaurant situated in the so called „Forbidden City" area. Located in a historic building that once belonged to Qing Dynasty, Courtyard was the first restaurant in China to be rated by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the Most Exciting Restaurants of the World. It features classic white-clad tables and crockery. Moreover, it stands out with a fantastic wine list, offering over 600 selections from around the world - a definite rarity in Beijing. A meal prepared under supervision of its chef Rey Lim is a pure delight. Grilled chicken with lemongrass, coco and curry sauce is just perfect! Even a slightly lofty and snobbish air around there is not able to spoil it. A basement floor houses an art gallery, featuring masterpieces of Chinese contemporary art.
95 Donghuamen Avenue
Beijing, 10006 China
Phone: (86) 010 6526 8883 / Fax: (86) 010 6526 8880
E-mail: restaurant@courtyard.net.cn
www.courtyardbeijing.com
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