Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, 19 hao
Directions: The restaurant is on the same side of the street and a few doors down from the original Din Tai Fung, closer to the Yu Yang Fan Dian (Yu Yang Hotel). From Dongzhimenwai or Gongti Beilu, turn north on Xindong Lu. When the road veers to the left (splitting right into Xinyuan Nanlu), make a U-turn, then your first (immediate) right turn. You will pass the Yu Yang Fan Dian on your left (currently under renovation) and then see Xiang Man Lou on your right.
What we think
Xiang Man Lou is an great place for no fuss homestyle dining that compromises nothing on taste. It has a respectable and reasonably priced Peking duck, and nothing we have tried so far has disappointed. Like all good restaurants in Beijing, XML suffers from its success in that there are too many people trying to get in; it’s a competition to get a table. They only honor reservations until 6:30PM, and are ruthless about giving your table away if you are late, so be prepared to eat early or wait on the sidewalk with half of Beijing. In addition to the duck, try the eggplant in claypot (shao qie zi, sautéed dragon beans (si jiao dou or long dou) and crispy fried tower of potato threads (tu dou si)
Recommended dishes
Directions: On the stretch of Dongzhimennei (inside the Second Ring Road) known as Guijie, with an endless (and, yes, charming despite the touts and crowds) stretch of restaurants and red lanterns. Hua Jia Yi Yuan is east of Yonghegong Dajie (Lama Temple Road), on the north side of the street. There are other locations but this one is the original location set in a converted courtyard house.
Recommended dishes
酒舅久韭煎鸭 jiu jiu jiu xiang jian ya: crispy fried layered duck meat and sticky rice cake
酱香菊花笋 jiang xiang ju hua sun: awesome bamboo shoots that looked like squid
Directions: Head south from Gongti Beilu, away from the Sanlitun bar strip. The restaurant will be on your right/west side, across the street from Beer Mania and next to a slightly sketchy looking hole-in-the-wall place.
What we think
A good cheap and cheerful option if you find yourself in Sanlitun (a neighborhood with few Chinese characteristics or non-expat oriented restaurants) and wanting simple but good homestyle food. No frills, but reliable and packed with local Chinese most nights. If you are a bit more adventurous and want a super cheap meal, head next door to the little hole in the wall place for some dumplings, noodles or other simple fare eaten alongside off-shift security guards and migrant labor foremen. They know good, cheap food.
Recommended dishes
烧汁牛粒鲜蚕豆 shao zhi niu li xian can dou: beef with fava beans
樟茶鸭 zhang cha ya: camphor smoked tea duck
菠菜花生米沙拉 bo cai hua sheng mi sha la: vinegary spinach and peanuts salad; sometimes the spinach is gently blanched, sometimes it comes fresh but both versions are a tasty way to perk up your taste buds and appetite.
铁板肉酱茄子 tie ban rou jiang qie zi: savory, garlicky sizzling eggplant
朝阳区光华路东里2号楼
Chaoyang qu Guanghua Dongli 2 hao lou
No. 2 Building, Guanghua Dongli
Chaoyang
Tel: 010-6591 3255, 6594 3602
$: Very affordable, average 50rmb per head for table of 4; duck is 128rmb includes condiments
Their great duck roasting oven is showcased right at the entrance to Xiao Wang’s Guanghu Lu/Kerry Center location. While you might not go there just for the duck, it is a reliable accompaniment to a casual meal of jia chang favorites. Although both locations are quite popular among expats, the Kerry Center location has a homier Chinese family restaurant feel to it, whereas the Ritan Park location is more upscale and with a view over Ritan Park. On a summer or spring evening that isn’t too hot, the rooftop tree-shaded deck at the Ritan Park location is a nice place to eat al fresco. After your meal, you can walk it off in Ritan Park, which is one of Beijing's nicer spots.
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朝阳区,日坛公园东北角
What we think
Though the cooking here is pretty good, the prices reflect the proximity of the neighboring diplomatic compounds and heavily expat clientele. Although it is an upscale restaurant, it is often called the ‘hole in the wall’ place because the entrance is an actual hole in the wall, a traditional keyhole doorway through the Ritan Park wall. The menu boasts specialties of four regions: Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong and Huaiyang/Shanghai. The kitchen seems to juggle all four, though the tastes 
are geared towards the foreign palate so are perhaps less distinct in their flavors. Xiheyaju also serves up a respectable Peking duck with prices similar to Da Dong. A nice touch for visitors is the green tinted spinach pancake wrappers. Great courtyard seating in the right season. The Crispy Beef with Sesame is a treat you don’t see much elsewhere.
Another major plus of Xi He Ya Ju: they have a respectable little wine list, and a non-smoking section. So you can have duck with Chardonnay and not deal with anyone lighting up right next to you.
Recommended dishes
芝麻脆牛肉 zi ma cui niu rou: crispy beef with sesame
生炒菜心 sheng chao cai xing: hearts of greens sautéed with garlic
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