| OUR YUNNAN/GUIZHOU/DAI RECOMMENDATIONS |
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Original Jiao dao kou location:
交道口大兴胡同69号
Jiao dao kou da xing hu tong 69 hao
Jiaodaokou, Da Xing Hutong, no. 69
Dong Cheng District, near the Drum Tower area
Tel: 010-6407 1800
$: Dinner for eight, 536rmb
This little Guizhou find stayed under the radar screen during the hubbub about Three Guizhou Men, an upscale eatery opened by three Guizhou artists. Tucked away in a small hutong space in Jiao dao kou neighborhood, it offers a simple spot to enjoy some typical Guizhou treats, as well as some innovative twists created in their kitchen. In a playful nod to their environs, they even fashioned a cake (蜂窝煤蛋糕 feng wo mei dan gao) in the form of the honeycomb shaped charcoal traditionally used for cooking and heating in the hutongs.
New Dongzhimen wai/Xin Yuan Li location:
新源西里东街6号（渔阳饭店对面）
Xinyuanxili Dongjie 6 hao (Yu Yang Fan Dian dui mian)
Chaoyang District, off of Xin Dong Lu opposite the Yuyang Hotel
Tel: 010-8448 4600
$: Feast for 9, 674 RMB
What we think
Same menu, same prices, same delicious Guizhou cooking, with a bright new modern setting and in a more accessible location. The fragrant and 'beautifying' sour fish soup is perfectly balanced with tartness and spiciness; the fried glutinous rice balls, jue cai (wild fern) and la rou (local bacon) dishes are as good as ever.
Recommended dishes (see our Yunnan/Guizhou regional food guide for photos)
炒汤圆 chao tang yuan: Da Gui has also transformed the tang yuan from a dessert of boiled soft glutinous rice balls stuffed with sesame paste served in hot syrup into a savory sweet dish, still stuffed with gooey sesame paste, but fried lightly until crispy and coated with savory herbs and spice
Dali is yet another courtyard restaurant, but one that does not aim to recreate the ornamental
Note: Based on our last few visits through the spring/early summer of 2008, Dali seems to have landed on the tour bus and company dinner circuit. It has been overcrowded and noisy, losing it's former tranquility. You might try eating early (start before 6pm) or late (start at 9pm) to avoid the dinner crush. Stay tuned.
Dali serves a set menu only. Items change slightly each night but include a wide range of dishes usually including: a grilled fish, a spicy mushroom dish, Yunnan sausages, sometimes Yunnan cheese, a spicy meat dish (chicken or yak), wild mountain vegetables, shrimp, spicy and sour noodles or rice to finish. Most of it is good and there is an occasional standout.
中八楼 - Zhong Ba Lou (Yunnan)
东三里屯中8号楼
Dong Sanlitun Zhong 8 hao lou
Sanlitun, near 3.3 and Pacific Century Place
Tel: 010-6413-0629
$: Lunch for 2 (four dishes, no drinks), 79rmb
Middle 8 serves up more typical Yunnan cooking, offering a lot of mushrooms, wild herbs/vegetables, and dishes with a lighter, tarter touch. This place is often jammed in the evenings, and getting a table can be impossible. If you get stuck, never fear – you are not too far from Zhu Lin! (See jia chang cai)
玉鬼鸡 yu gui ji: fresh and bright salad of chicken, lemon pieces, chili and greens
This place is the perfect choice if you have spent the day wandering one of the summer palaces (Yi he yuan or Yuan ming yuan) or visiting one of the university campuses. But it’s good enough that it is worth a trip out just for the food. The Dai minority food shares similar ingredients and flavors of the Yunnan and Guizhou region, where many of China’s ethnic minority communities are clustered. The jue cai (wild vegetables), pineapple rice, black chicken and fried potato balls are tasty, as are the fragrant fried banana fritters. Be prepared to wait for a table, but the brisk and efficient service means tables turn quickly.
菠萝饭 bo luo fan: fragrant sticky rice cooked in a pineapple
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东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号
setting of a court official residence. Instead, it is humble and homey, with exposed wood beams, a shingled rooftop and lots of potted plants. The courtyard environment is lovely in the evenings and is tented during the winter (though still quite cold). You are of course paying for this enjoyable setting, as dinner is a set meal starting at 100rmb per head. The menu doesn’t change enough to enjoy frequent repeat visits, but it is a good choice for enjoying a tasty meal in a unique setting and also a great hit with visitors.
Recommended dishes (see our 
Recommended dishes