What Are Your Fondest Food Memories Of 2009?

As another year draws to a close, we asked some of Beijing’s dining VIPs to recount their culinary highlights of 2009. Here’s what they had to say …

Daniel Urdaneta, head chef, Mosto
“I’ve been in Beijing for around three and a half years and all this time I’ve enjoy Chinese food. At the beginning I stuck to the most popular dishes that people recommended, such a kungpao chicken, jiaozi, etc.; but it was in 2009 that I first tried the Sichuan noodles, dandan mian. The explosion of distinctive flavors on my tongue made me fall in love with dish. Since them I eat it every week at least once!”

Jen Lin-Liu, author and owner of Black Sesame Kitchen
“I guess it would have to be the evening that Martin Yan (a famous Chinese-American chef, and the star of his own show ‘Yan Can Cook’) sauntered into Black Sesame Kitchen during one of our Friday night communal dinners. I had mentioned it to him and wasn’t sure if he would be able to make it, but he arrived and stayed in the background at the dinner — until everyone who had come that night recognized him! Everyone was so surprised to see him. He was so low-key and gracious but you could tell he loved being in the spotlight!”

Gaby Alves, restaurateur, SALT
“I went to Brazil in February and ate moqueca, a traditional clay pot fish stew. I was in Natal on a cliff watching the ocean - beautiful. And this year SALT became two years old, I want to say thanks to our amazing customers and friends for all their support, it was a wonderful thing seeing everyone together at our anniversary party this month.”

Max Levy, head chef, Bei, Opposite House
“A supplier, after forgetting to bring sugar with his delivery informed me that it was "out of season". When I asked if it would be back in season again soon, he replied that it was up to the government.”

“Brian McKenna, chef and owner, ROOMbeijing”
"2009 for me personally and professionally and was a great year. It allowed me some freedom to travel all over Asia and see and learn new things, and it allowed me to bring in a great team of people. We also did some very exciting things, like having Albert Adria here - all in preparation for the launch of ROOMbeijing early 2010 and a few other very exciting projects we're planning for Beijing."

Daya Prasad, GM, Mirch Masala
“The most memorable restaurants I ate in during 2009 were Rumi, Huajia Yiyuan, Alemeda and Purple Haze. And Mirch Masala of course!”

Kristun Lum, blogger and PR socialite, www.lumdimsum.com
“A highlight for me was definitely the opening of the second Hatsune in Sanlitun Village on April 16, 2009. It was an invite-only guest list, about 500 people showed up and with an open bar, wells of sake, trays of Hatsune's sushi rolls for everyone, this night went down as one of the most talked about and successful Beijing restaurant opening parties, definitely a night to remember...or can't remember!”

Benjamin Devos, owner, Comptoirs de France
“The first time I went to W Dine & Wine right after they set up the new Cocotte menu. The boss invited a lot of people and we all tried the new food … it was a really memorable dinner.”

Jessica Wang, PR manager, Hotel G
“I’ve fallen in love with Pure Lotus Vegetarian this year. The food, presentation, service, and decor of the place, in fact so many little details really make me think this is the best restaurant ever. Every visit is a great experience!”

My own food highlights of 2009? Capital M’s opening party (sorry Michelle - I’ve still got one of your champagne glasses), perfect noodles ‘n’ broth at Invincible Ramen, the eight cheese platter at Scarlett, discovering Beijing’s provincial government restaurants, lobster salad at Domus, massive margaritas at Amigo, Ganges lunch buffet, the stampeding elephant at the Westin Chaoyang’s Indian food festival, the tasting menu at Mosto, Hat’s Off at the Westin Financial Street 2009, the list is long …

What about you?
Feel free to add your own fond food memories to the comments...