Tables of Romance: Beijing’s Most Enchanting Eateries

Valentine's Day is almost upon us. We've prepared this special list of special places to take that special someone for a meal they won't forget.

Blu Lobster
Continues to impress, serving modern Mediterranean cuisine with a hint of Asia. From the ocean wave crystal lighting, to the highly professional service, to the state-of-the-art cooking techniques, this five-star restaurant is on any Beijing gourmand’s must-try list, despite its expensive prices.
Tue-Sun 5.30-11pm. Valley Wing 1/F, Shangri-La Hotel, 29 Zizhuyuan Lu, Haidian District. (6841 2211 ext 6727 / 6728) 海淀区紫竹院路29号北京香格里拉饭店新阁一层

Brasserie Flo
Give your lover a taste of le vie en rose. Serving faultless French classics like onion soup, steak au poivre, and profiteroles, Brasserie Flo transports you to an upscale Parisian bistro. The chateaubriand, in particular, is outstanding, and the wine list is good.
Daily 11am-3pm, 5.30-11pm. Rainbow Plaza (Longbo Guangchang), 16 Dongsanhuan Beilu (south of the Great Wall Sheraton), Chaoyang District. (6595 5135/9) 朝阳区东三环北路16号隆博广场二层

Capital M
Ten years after opening Shanghai’s M on the Bund, owner Michelle has imported her finely-honed brand of Euro-glamour to Bei¬jing. Bold, straightforward European cooking plays second fiddle to VIP service, embossed tableware, seductive open fireplaces and Beijing’s best view across Tiananmen Square – all of which will seriously impress your date.
Daily 11am-midnight (bar is open from noon-1am weekdays, Sunday brunch 11.30am-5pm). 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street (southeast of Qian¬men), Chongwen District. (6702 2727) 崇文区前门步行街2号3层

The Courtyard
Still popular after all these years, Handel Lee’s modern eatery serves a tourist-friendly blend of East-meets-West cuisine. Some gripe that the food can be mediocre, but it’s tough to beat the view overlooking the Forbid¬den City and surrounding hutongs.
Daily 6pm-10pm. 95 Donghuamen Dajie (north of Donghuamen parking lot at the Forbidden City), Dongcheng District. (6526 8883) 东城区东华门大街95号 (故宫东华门停车场北面)

Cru Steakhouse
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and his stomach loves a hearty steak. Warm reds and browns of CRU’s sleek design are a taster for the rich steak cuts and seafood dishes cooked up in the res¬taurant’s open kitchen. Choose from a number of mouthwatering sauces to add depth to your steak. The excellent wait staff confidently recommend dishes and wines to pair them with.
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 6-10pm. 2/F, JW Marriott Hotel, China Central Place, 83 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5908 8530)

Hatsune
An American-style Japanese restaurant with a hip, minimalist decor and straight-from-the-sea sushi. Stan¬douts include the transcendent and multi-textured butterfly roll, as well as the popular “Motorola,” drizzled with wasabi mayonnaise.
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm 1) 2/F, Heqiao Bldg C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6581 3939) 2) S8-30 (Opposite Element Fresh), Bldg 8, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6415 3939) 1) 朝阳区光华路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层 2)朝阳区三里屯路19号The Village南区8号楼S8-30

Mosto
Opened in 2008 by former SALT Chef Daniel Urdaneta, Mosto of¬fers inventive, exciting contemporary food with a South American touch. The hacienda façade leads to a smart modern interior with an open kitchen and bar. Friendly staff and an excel¬lent wine list, with an emphasis on new-world wines.
Daily noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6030) 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园3层

Pure Lotus
Perfect for dates with a pickier diet, Pure Lotus offers a tasty, classy venue for everything vegetar¬ian. Run by monks, their creative dishes will leave you with a full stom¬ach and a clear conscience – as well as a considerably lightened wallet.
Daily 11am-11pm. 1) Tongguang Bldg, 12 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6592 3627) 2) 3/F, Holiday Inn Lido, Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (6437 6288) 1) 朝阳区农展馆南路12号(通广大厦内) 2) 朝阳区丽都假日饭店三层,首都机场将台路

SALT
Impeccable service guaran¬tees your night will go flawlessly at this innovative restaurant in a fresh modern minimalist setting, offering weekly two-course or three-course set meals. The food is so delicious it will not only melt in your mouth, but also, hopefully, melt your date’s heart.
Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-10.30pm, Sun Brunch noon-4pm. 2/F, 9 Jiangtai Xilu (opposite the Japanese School, west of Rosedale Hotel), Chaoyang District (6437 8457) 朝阳区将台西路9号2层（珀丽酒店西边）