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Hillside restaurants that hit new heights
By Xu Wenwen |
June 14, 2012, Thursday
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Conventional wisdom has it that restaurants are supposed to locate on bustling streets to welcome walk-ins - the more the better. However, some restaurateurs love to blaze a trail and set up for business in places few people usually go to, such as hills.
Hangzhou's Yuhuang Hill is such a location. As one of the least-visited sites in the city despite its central location, the 239-meter hill offers a breathtaking view of West Lake and the Qiantang River on either side.
And at the foot of Yuhuang Hill eateries are dotted, ranging from farmer's houses to large three-floor restaurants, adding vibrancy to the idyllic surrounds.
Here are three recommendations, small restaurants hidden away on a corner of the hill that cook their own styles of cuisine.
Fleur de Lis
The French name Fleur de Lis, meaning lily, gives a big hint to the cuisine on offer, and the Gallic theme is carried on in the baroque lighting, floral wallpaper and lace curtains.
A low-profile sign identifies the two-story white wooden restaurant tucked away up a small path, and the owner is equally low-profile.
Zhu Jiang says she has never placed advertisements, and while the place mostly caters for parties for Zhu and her friends, walk-ins are also welcome.
She is definitely a foodie, who tours Europe especially to try different restaurants. Since she opened Fleur de Lis around a year ago, food tours have become more frequent, she says.
Zhu says that the restaurant only uses imported European materials, like wine and olive oil, plus fresh ingredients grown in the restaurant garden, or purchased from villagers. This strategy ensures there are no additives, she explains.
The benefits of Zhu's insistence in fresh produce are apparent in the food. For example, the cheesecake is light, not over-sweet but with a natural milk fragrance and a soft texture.
Also strongly recommended are the jackfruit ice cream balls, overflowing with the taste of fresh jackfruit. The only downside is that the ice cream melts faster than some other varieties, so diners are advised to finish it double quick.
In addition to excellent desserts, the restaurant offers authentic cuisine from southern France and northern Spain.
Address: 23-1 Yuhuangshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8718-6111 (diners are advised to call beforehand to get directions.)
Recommended dishes: Jackfruit ice cream balls, cheesecake, fried rice with seafood
Meilin Town Restaurant
Almost every restaurant nestled at the foot of the hill is a garden restaurant, and Meilin Town Restaurant is no different, with wooden tables and chairs under red-and-white-striped parasols in its front garden.
The restaurant does not have a name sign, only blackboards with a hand-written menu at the gate. Inside, white walls and window frames, red-and-white checked table cloths and various knick-knacks create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.
Its menu mainly features local food and popular Chinese dishes. Specialties include sliced beef and needle mushroom braised in sour soup, which can act as a great appetizer, and seafood and rice in a stone pot - a great combination of fresh seafood and perfectly cooked rice.
Address: 42-1 Yuhuangshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8791-2828
Recommended dishes: Sliced beef and needle mushrooms braised in sour soup, fish in sour soup, seafood and rice in stone pot
Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant
Walking along Lianhuafeng Road below Yuhuang Hill, Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant and youth hostel is in a three-floor house almost hidden by lofty trees and walls. The first floor houses the restaurant, the second floor is for parties and barbecues, while the third is the rooms.
Appropriately for an artistically named restaurant, Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant is run by a China Academy of Art graduate, Jin Ruihua.
"I want freedom at the place, which is only for fun," says Jin.
Jin's artistic background is evident in the colorful, quirky decor. On the walls hang large modern figure oil paintings by students from the academy, while on a shelf ceramic works also by students are on display. Some art works are for sale. In addition, all ceramic tableware is works of teachers from the academy, while ashtrays are made from small picture frames.
The house is also home to a dog and a cat which wander around and sometimes beg for food from restaurant customers.
Prices are inexpensive, and the taste is good, though not exceptional. The must-try dish is savory chicken, with the tender meat absorbing the soup into every fiber.
Address: 17 Lianhuafeng Rd
Tel: (0571) 8779-4178
Recommended dishes: Specialty Japanese tofu, savory chicken, Half Bottle mini duck
Hangzhou's Yuhuang Hill is such a location. As one of the least-visited sites in the city despite its central location, the 239-meter hill offers a breathtaking view of West Lake and the Qiantang River on either side.
And at the foot of Yuhuang Hill eateries are dotted, ranging from farmer's houses to large three-floor restaurants, adding vibrancy to the idyllic surrounds.
Here are three recommendations, small restaurants hidden away on a corner of the hill that cook their own styles of cuisine.
Fleur de Lis
The French name Fleur de Lis, meaning lily, gives a big hint to the cuisine on offer, and the Gallic theme is carried on in the baroque lighting, floral wallpaper and lace curtains.
A low-profile sign identifies the two-story white wooden restaurant tucked away up a small path, and the owner is equally low-profile.
Zhu Jiang says she has never placed advertisements, and while the place mostly caters for parties for Zhu and her friends, walk-ins are also welcome.
She is definitely a foodie, who tours Europe especially to try different restaurants. Since she opened Fleur de Lis around a year ago, food tours have become more frequent, she says.
Zhu says that the restaurant only uses imported European materials, like wine and olive oil, plus fresh ingredients grown in the restaurant garden, or purchased from villagers. This strategy ensures there are no additives, she explains.
The benefits of Zhu's insistence in fresh produce are apparent in the food. For example, the cheesecake is light, not over-sweet but with a natural milk fragrance and a soft texture.
Also strongly recommended are the jackfruit ice cream balls, overflowing with the taste of fresh jackfruit. The only downside is that the ice cream melts faster than some other varieties, so diners are advised to finish it double quick.
In addition to excellent desserts, the restaurant offers authentic cuisine from southern France and northern Spain.
Address: 23-1 Yuhuangshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8718-6111 (diners are advised to call beforehand to get directions.)
Recommended dishes: Jackfruit ice cream balls, cheesecake, fried rice with seafood
Meilin Town Restaurant
Almost every restaurant nestled at the foot of the hill is a garden restaurant, and Meilin Town Restaurant is no different, with wooden tables and chairs under red-and-white-striped parasols in its front garden.
The restaurant does not have a name sign, only blackboards with a hand-written menu at the gate. Inside, white walls and window frames, red-and-white checked table cloths and various knick-knacks create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.
Its menu mainly features local food and popular Chinese dishes. Specialties include sliced beef and needle mushroom braised in sour soup, which can act as a great appetizer, and seafood and rice in a stone pot - a great combination of fresh seafood and perfectly cooked rice.
Address: 42-1 Yuhuangshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8791-2828
Recommended dishes: Sliced beef and needle mushrooms braised in sour soup, fish in sour soup, seafood and rice in stone pot
Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant
Walking along Lianhuafeng Road below Yuhuang Hill, Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant and youth hostel is in a three-floor house almost hidden by lofty trees and walls. The first floor houses the restaurant, the second floor is for parties and barbecues, while the third is the rooms.
Appropriately for an artistically named restaurant, Half Bottle Artistic Restaurant is run by a China Academy of Art graduate, Jin Ruihua.
"I want freedom at the place, which is only for fun," says Jin.
Jin's artistic background is evident in the colorful, quirky decor. On the walls hang large modern figure oil paintings by students from the academy, while on a shelf ceramic works also by students are on display. Some art works are for sale. In addition, all ceramic tableware is works of teachers from the academy, while ashtrays are made from small picture frames.
The house is also home to a dog and a cat which wander around and sometimes beg for food from restaurant customers.
Prices are inexpensive, and the taste is good, though not exceptional. The must-try dish is savory chicken, with the tender meat absorbing the soup into every fiber.
Address: 17 Lianhuafeng Rd
Tel: (0571) 8779-4178
Recommended dishes: Specialty Japanese tofu, savory chicken, Half Bottle mini duck
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