Service, Style and a Relative Bargain: Flamme Opens in The Village

Jen Leung | Aug 31, 2010 12:00 pm | 1 comment | 2621 reads

There are no shortages of steakhouses in Beijing, but Flamme offers service and style for a relative bargain. The name suggests a grilled meat fiesta, but in actuality, it offers a range of dishes – even my vegetarian companion managed to leave happily stuffed.

Starters include a refreshing roasted beet salad, sliced up tableside and tossed with fennel and oranges (RMB 38). According to the menu, the bruschetta comes topped with wild mushrooms and Himalayan black truffles – for RMB 38, one would not expect such ingredients and indeed will not receive them. But the generous portion of button mushrooms sautéed with a liberal dose of truffle oil was enjoyable nonetheless.

The steak and sides are solid, and I hope Flamme maintains the quality at this price. A petite Australian tenderloin (RMB 108) was done to my exact specifications and served with a tart watercress and cherry tomato salad. There is a choice of sauce, but alas, the demi-glace was merely a thin (but flavorful) au jus, not the thick glossy nectar I expected. A dozen sides (RMB 18) are listed, including addictive matchstick fries and gingered baby carrots. The vegetable lasagna was pasta-less, but layers of zucchini and goat cheese made it a savory non-meat option.

Despite a menu promising more than what is plated, Flamme is worth a try – the service was excellent, and the complimentary drink and dessert platter an excellent surprise. The brioche bread pudding, in particular, was a treat. I’m not sure how long these grand-opening freebies will last, though, so hurry.

Also try: Union Bar & Grille, Outback Steakhouse

Flamme International Grill
Daily 11am-midnight. S4-33, Sanlitun Village, 19 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (6417 8608)
朝阳区三里屯北路19号三里屯Village南区4号楼3层S4-33

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alwn1708's picture alwn1708 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 10/14/2013 - 14:04

Went here as Time Out and City Weekend rave about it , and have various magazine awards adorning the walls.

After two bowls of Minestrone soup that needed a shot of black pepper to taste , a burnt (yes,burnt) Salmon fillet, and ribs that were as meaty as a sparrows kneecap, one was indeed not impressed.

The only saving grace was that I managed to find a divine Piesporter Michelsburg Riesling to numb my taste buds.

Service , it would be better as self-service if you have to rely on the numb-skulls they employ to serve you. They are more interested in shaking cocktails and hanging around the bar.

Save your money and go to McDonalds downstairs.

Does this really look like the face of concern?

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